What's Shaking?

About this time last year, I started noticing tremors in my right hand. At first, they were mild—easy to dismiss. But as the year went on, they became harder to ignore.

My people urged me to see my doctor. She referred me to a neurologist, who sent me through the full diagnostic gauntlet: a CAT scan, an MRI, and finally a DaTscan. The CAT scan and MRI ruled out brain cancer, which was a relief. The DaTscan, however, pointed clearly to Parkinson’s disease.

Bummer!

I spent the following week in a funk, waiting for my appointment with the neurologist to go over the results. It’s amazing how much space a diagnosis can take up in your head when you’re left alone with it.

The neurologist explained that the issue is diminishing dopamine in my brain and prescribed a medication to help replenish it and reduce the tremors. (I’m not a nurse—nor do I play one on television—so forgive the laywoman’s explanation.)

Oddly enough, I felt much better after that appointment. There was a plan. A next step. Now the prescription is in the hands of CVS, and I’m waiting for that familiar text telling me it’s ready for pickup.

As for the tremors themselves—they’re more annoying than anything else. Using a computer mouse becomes an adventure when they kick in. Writing with a pen or pencil turns instantly hieroglyphical. And doing my makeup? That’s a thrill ride all its own.

And so it goes.

Wearing Stylewe

David Gránský femulating Jennifer Lopez on Czech television’s version of Your Face Sounds Familiar.
Click here to view this femulation on YouTube.