I’ve been fully retired for almost two months now. The reason for hanging up my radio broadcasting headphones had to do with the progression of my Parkinson’s disease symptoms and the desire to relocate from Northern Wisconsin to the Myrtle Beach area to be closer to my wife’s family so we would be in a position to get help when the condition gets to the point where my wife will need assistance caring for me.

I had hoped that after the stress of moving, things would slow down and I would enjoy one of those plateaus, where the symptoms stay the same for awhile without getting worse.

No such luck.

WALKING — I’ve needed to use a cane for a quite some time. Originally, it was to help with my balance. Now, it seems like my brain needs to feel like I’m holding on to something just to make my legs move. We’ve reached a point where the cane doesn’t suffice for walking more than just to and from the car. When we go shopping, I need to use the motorized carts now. There are places to go and things to do here on the Grand Strand where significant walking is required but no motorized carts are available. I would love to cruise the Boardwalk or Broadway at the Beach, but in my condition, it’s impossible. A regular wheelchair doesn’t seem like a solution because my arms and hands will cramp if I have to roll the wheels, and Diane doesn’t think she has the strength to push a 300-lb sack of meat (me) more than very short distances. I have my first VA doctor’s appointment in two weeks, so I will ask about getting some sort of motorized wheelchair. The VA says they will provide the equipment I require due to the service-connected nature of my disease, caused by bathing in and drinking the poisoned water at Camp Lejeune from 1975-1977.

SITTING — Never thought just sitting would be difficult. But my neck and shoulder muscles are straining at the task of holding up my large, beautiful head. Even sitting here writing this, my shoulder and upper arm muscles feel like they did after a workout session in the weight-lifting days of my youth. My neck cramps and my head droops.

I really hoped to put this off, but it seems like I’m gonna need to make some changes to keep from becoming a prisoner in my apartment.