Courtny Gerrish
RACINE - Imagine being diagnosed with an incurable, progressive disease at the prime of your life.
When a Kenosha woman was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, she knew it would be tough, but she's battling it head-on.
Exercise isn't easy for any of us. For Cindy Grueter...it's especially a challenge.
"You have to look at what you can, not what you can't do," Cindy explains.
Cindy has Parkinson's disease, a brain disorder that leads to shaking and difficulty moving.
"My hand tremors started in my right hand, but they've progressed to my legs, which when your legs shake, your whole body shakes," Cindy says.
Cindy was diagnosed six years ago at age 43. Most cases don't develop until after age 50.
"You look at it and think, 'Where am I gonna be in 10 years?'" she admits.
The diagnosis came right at the peak of Cindy's career. She also had two kids in high school. Her daughter Dana recalls that difficult time.
"My mom was very depressed for a long time, and our family kind of went into chaos, crisis mode," she says.
Cindy's husband John adds, "Once in awhile I'll see where she can't do something, and that'll upset me."
Cindy decided it was time for a change...and that's where Razor Sharp Fitness and personal trainer Ernie Zuberbuehler came in.
"She was a go-getter. She wanted to do everything, jumps right to it," Zuberbuehler says.
Cindy takes several medications a day, but nothing works as well as exercise.
"The exercise helps a lot. I feel better. I look better," Cindy notes.
There's even research to back up the benefits of exercise in Parkinson's patients. Dr. Karen Blindauer is a neurologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
"There's some theories that the increase in blood flow to the brain when we exercise, or even just circulating endorphins that just make us feel good when we exercise, that might even help to preserve the dying nerve cells in Parkinson's," Dr. Blindauer says.
Cindy has another coping mechanism besides exercise: Her new red sports car!
"Cindy hit me with the 'I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to drive, and I'd really like to have it, and we could afford it,’ so yeah, she got her little red sports car," John says.
While Cindy has improved...it's still not easy for the family.
"The things that upset me most now...she has a very hard time smiling. I miss seeing my mom smile," Dana admits.
Cindy's condition will eventually worsen. But for now, she's hitting the gym, and beating the odds!
"I think the bottom line is, is you can't look for a Utopia, cuz it's not coming. You gotta learn to live with this disease, and all the little things it does to you," Cindy explains.
The Medical College and Froedtert Hospital offers treatment and advice for patients and their families.
There's no cure for Parkinson's, but medicine and surgeries like Deep Brain Stimulation can help control the symptoms.
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4 comments:
I was diagnosed with Juvenile Parkinsonism at 16 after two years of doctor visits, tests and scary misdiagnoses. I remember being perfectly healthy, never even having had the flu until I was diagnosed. I was 47 at the time and was out to dinner with my family to celebrate after I got promoted at the office. While in the middle of a conversation with my mom, I passed out. About 30 seconds later I popped my head back up and continued like nothing had happened, while everyone looked like I was crazy. I lived with this all my life till someone told me about madida parkinson disease herbal formula. I place an order from their website at www . madidaherbalclinic .weebly .com, I was on madida herbal treatment for 9 weeks but I am 48 this year with no sign of Parkinson disease again. Madida PD herbal formula get rid of my PD.
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My husband was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease at 57.his symptoms were shuffling of feet,slurred speech, low volume speech, degradation of hand writing, horrible driving skills, right arm held at 45 degree angle, things were tough for me, but now he finally free from the disease with the help of total cure ultimate health home, he now walks properly and all symptoms has reversed, he had trouble with balance especially at night, getting into the shower and exiting it is difficult,getting into bed is also another thing he finds impossible.we had to find a better solution for his condition which has really helped him a lot,the biggest helped we had was ultimatehealthhome they walked us through the proper steps,am highly recommended this ultimatehealthhome@gmail.com to anyone who needs help.
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