The beginning of 2020 was shaping up to be one of the worst years of my life. In February, my health took a drastic turn when my Parkinson’s progressed to a dangerous and debilitating point. Not to mention, there was a global pandemic looming on the horizon.
An alarming sign of things to come was the gradual decline of how my Parkinson’s medications were working, which resulted in a significant shift in my “On” and “Off” times. As my meds became less effective, my On/Off times dropped from 4 hours to 1 hour, and my symptoms got erratic, leading to a downward spiral with my health. I could barely get out of bed and simple things such as walking to the bathroom or getting a glass of water became monumental tasks that wiped me of energy. Feelings of anxiety and stress also started to creep in, which eventually caused me to bottom out both physically and mentally.
At the end of February, I reached a breaking point and went to a hospital for an evaluation and stayed three days while they ran tests and monitored me. Unfortunately, I was sent home without the right medications and little guidance on what the next steps were to start feeling better. I felt let down and like they missed the boat with my rehab.
On March 1st, I started 24-hour in-home care, which lasted until June. During this time, I had a rotation of nurses who would come to my house to take care of me. One nurse in particular, Carol, was a very warm and kind individual who I found common ground with. She was a bit older than the other nurses and had more experience and compassion in dealing with people with Parkinson’s, as she had someone in her life with the condition. Carol introduced me to the daily practice of reciting a few verses from the Bible. This simple action profoundly affected my life, and set the pendulum swinging the other way.
A short time later, Carol started a new job that required her to relocate. Right before she left, I had a funny exchange with Halley, a younger nurse brought in as her replacement. On her first day, Halley acted apprehensively and spoke to me in a very loud and slow voice. Initially I brushed it off, but during one particularly loud moment, I jokingly responded, “You know, I have Parkinson’s, not hearing loss.” This caused everyone in the room to erupt in laughter, breaking the ice and easing the awkwardness between us. This reminded me that laughter is often the best medicine, especially in tense situations.
After my in-home care ended, I kept up with the routine of daily Bible verses, and I put an app for Daily Devotionals on my phone so I could listen to them each morning. For those who are unfamiliar with Daily Devotionals, they are short readings or reflections focused on spiritual or religious themes intended to inspire and encourage people in their faith journeys. They typically include passages or verses from religious texts such as the Bible and can be accompanied by prayers or meditation.
Growing up, religion was a big part of my life, as my mom was a Sunday school teacher. She was a very special person and was really valued by our local community as someone to rely on for advice. She was a good listener, chose her words wisely and didn’t pass judgment, which made people trust her. Many evenings, friends and acquaintances would stop by our house to seek her council, which made our kitchen feel like her pulpit.
Two of my mom’s favorite passages that have also been foundational to me are:
Philippians 4:13 (KJV): “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Taking part in these Daily Devotionals not only helped me reconnect with my faith, but also with my mom.
By June of 2020, I started to regain control of my health and treatment options. Three people who were absolutely pivotal during this time were Will and Linda, a married couple I had known for quite some time, and my friend Tom. When I was wheelchair-bound, Will and Linda were there to take me to my appointments and helped me when I was having complications with cramping and other physical symptoms. With their support, I started looking into Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and underwent several tests to see if I was a candidate for the procedure. They helped me get my medications adjusted to the point where I was cleared for the DBS surgery.
In November, I had the DBS procedure, at which point Tom stepped in to help with my recovery. DBS was a huge success as it improved my on-and-off times, and allowed me to finally find stability and a “floor” with my symptoms. After a few months, the old “me” was back, and I was able to start being physically active and do the things I loved again. I can’t thank Will, Linda and Tom enough for everything they did for me. It was a team effort that ultimately saved my life.
Throughout this entire period of change and healing, I maintained my Daily Devotional routine. Just like brushing my teeth, stretching, and going for a jog or bike ride, listening to and reciting these devotionals became an essential part of my day. It’s important to note that although I’ve had the blessed opportunity to improve the quality of my life physically and spiritually, I still have my bad days. Parkinson’s is a formidable opponent, constantly keeping you on your toes. Trying to beat it is like trying to hit a moving target. Whenever I think I have a symptom under control, a new challenge arises the next day. This is why it’s essential to be adaptable, proactive and to maintain a positive outlook.
This is where my Daily Devotional routine, combined with my motivation to stay active and open to new possibilities, has been one of the best gifts I’ve given myself. Even on those dark days, when I don’t feel like pushing forward, I make it a point to listen to my Daily Devotionals as soon as I get up. Without fail, listening to them helps shift my attitude and sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. I also tell myself these two messages to help keep me motivated and balanced:
“Put God first in everything you do.”
“Don’t think about the past, don’t worry about the future, live in the moment.”
As I continue my journey with Parkinson’s, I am deeply grateful for the gift of Daily Devotionals and the profound impact they have had on my life. They are more than just words on a page; they serve as a compass guiding me through the rough passages of life. They are a constant reminder that despite adversity, there is always hope and a reason to keep pushing forward. If you haven’t yet tried Daily Devotionals, I hope this inspires you to embrace their transformative power.
