Paula,
You have inspired and helped us all on this difficult journey with your advice and kind words. I'm so sorry to hear about your current condition. We all care about you and wish for many more sunny days to Enjoy life the best way you can.
My heart goes out to you.

Max

Paula

Of course I already knew about this news, but it is obvious that you are highly respected and loved ,by the followers of this forum (note that nearly 300 have read your post and within 30 minutes of its posting you have nearly a dozen replies.)

But remember to never, be er give up hope, even with something as knowingly "terminal" as cancer. I can imagine the first patients who were diagnosed with polio and thinking that it was all over. Yet, we wiped out that disease with Salk's discovery of a vaccine. In the 1950's, I remember standing in line with the masses of children to receive my first anti-polio vaccine, which by the way was administered orally on a lump of sugar, and it was pink! Today, polio has ivirtually been eradicated from the list of serious childhood illnesses. But those who were not fortunate enough to get this help in time had a milder case. But thos.e same children (baby boomers) that contracted polio are suffering now from post polio syndrome.

What I am saying is that wherever you go in the afterlife, you can watch your efforts being replayed, and it will be apparent that you gave it your best shot in attempts to harness Parkinson's like Salk did polio. You were definitely one
Who "went down with the ship."

Who knows? Maybe some of the research efforts will come to fruition before we all have to call it quits. We love you, girl! Remember what Joan Snyder would say, who suffered a stroke during her second pallidotomy, "No way to it but through it," a borrowed quote from the old TV series, "Northern Exposure."

My thoughts and prayers go with you.
Peggy

Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

[quote=pegleg;881865]Paula

Of course I already knew about this news, but it is obvious that you are highly respected and loved ,by the followers of this forum (note that nearly 300 have read your post and within 30 minutes of its posting you have nearly a dozen replies.)

But remember to never, be er give up hope, even with something as knowingly "terminal" as cancer. I can imagine the first patients who were diagnosed with polio and thinking that it was all over. Yet, we wiped out that disease with Salk's discovery of a vaccine. In the 1950's, I remember standing in line with the masses of children to receive my first anti-polio vaccine, which by the way was administered orally on a lump of sugar, and it was pink! Today, polio has ivirtually been eradicated from the list of serious childhood illnesses. But those who were not fortunate enough to get this help in time had a milder case. But thos.e same children (baby boomers) that contracted polio are suffering now from post polio syndrome.

What I am saying is that wherever you go in the afterlife, you can watch your efforts being replayed, and it will be apparent that you gave it your best shot in attempts to harness Parkinson's like Salk did polio. You were definitely one
Who "went down with the ship."

Who knows? Maybe some of the research efforts will come to fruition before we all have to call it quits. We love you, girl! Remember what Joan Snyder would say, who suffered a stroke during her second pallidotomy, "No way to it but through it," a borrowed quote from the old TV series, "Northern Exposure."

My thoughts and prayers go with you.


thanks peg but it's not the numbers, it's what they say that my heart is overflowing with and will help me get through it.

You have the wisdom, fortitude and insight of a survivor living with pd for so many years. Thank you for sharing the knowledge you gained to help others who walk the path of pd understand it a little better. Thank you for your compassion and heartfelt words that hugged those in despair and shed a ray of hope on their day. Thank you for being such a vibrant part of this community. and now, dear friend, please know that we are here for you. whichever path this road you are on goes, know that we are here to hold you, to listen, to support you and to pray for you. We love you Paula

Paula, you are in my thoughts and prayers

I'm sorry to hear about cancer dx, and I can relate to your not being afraid

You are a pd warrior!!.

You have been one of the many voices that have worked so vigilantly and altristiacly through advocacy, to find a cure for pd, and/or better treatments of pd symptoms, so that our lives may become more than what they are or what they could be

God Bless You for always being there for us, with our best interests in heart, and for sharing your life with us!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your condition. My thoughts and prayers go with you.

Paula,
i first met you in person at the world parkinson congress in washington dc where you arranged for me to be your roommate. I will never forget your
courage, and reaction when, I think it was the 2nd or 3rd day, I witnessed you go into dystonia and your reaction was laughter! I had never seen what it does to a person and was horrified and terrified as I tried to get your stiff body up onto the bed. Frozen as it was in a cruel twisted position. Your positive outlook and determination inspired this poem I wrote back then and has my admiration since. You are truly a warrior woman!

To My Courageous Friend

You are the heart inside the candle
Passionate
Jumpy with giggles and laughter
Smoldering after spending
Yourself – selflessly
Bright burning – darkness-defying

You are a flame
Refusing to be doused
Stubborn
In silence loud
You re-iterate
Your refusal to become cold
And though you may seem alone
You entice others
To hold their candles high
And twinkle boldly
Sharing, sizzling
Chipping away – purging the dross
To reveal the pure beauty
of your soul – my friend
In my eyes
You are a hero

by April Curfman copywrite 03/06/06

Thank you harley and april- for your beautiful and inspirational poetry. April has to explain to me what she means sometimes but it's deep and how she thinks of all that I can't understand, but they flow.
thanks for sharing your inner souls over the years.

Oh Paula, You are in my thoughts and prayers. I have so admired your courage, compassion, curiosity and directness. You still have it. I wish you peace. and a chance for finding what you need. with much fondness, madelyn