speaker-0: I don't know why I'm tremoring right now and it's like I need to calm myself down. Do you ever find that out? Like if you tell yourself? Yeah, it's stress. It's stress induced, but sometimes I don't know. I took medicine beforehand, but anyways. Welcome to the secret life of Parkinson's, a podcast created by people living with Parkinson's to help break the stigma of a disease. No one likes to talk about. Now here are your hosts, Jessica Krauser and Brian Baker.

speaker-1: stress and

speaker-0: Welcome Dean Dahl to the podcast. Thank you for joining us. How are you doing today?

speaker-2: I'm doing great. This is a true pleasure and I'm honored to be on here and I thank the world of the two of you. So thank you.

speaker-0: Thank you. Well, thanks for reaching out to us. I know we're going to dive into your story here, but you were just recently diagnosed and that's what we're going to kind of focus on is those beginning phases and stages of what one goes through, ⁓ especially from like a caregiver standpoint in the family and what that looks like. ⁓ But yeah, thank you so much for coming on to share your story and just know that this is going to touch somebody in a way that's going to make them feel. more comfortable, feel hopeful. ⁓ So we appreciate all that you're going to provide and share with us. So let's just go back like real quick of, you know, when you were first noticing something wasn't right. I think you mentioned before, and not on the show yet, but you mentioned to me that you thought they thought it was essential tremor, but just take us back like what was going through your mind at the time when you started noticing different symptoms.

speaker-2: You're very welcome. I noticed some tremors that would come and go. My wife said that they probably were, she could see some things in me in 2023. But the beginning of 2024, I would grab something and it would, my hand would shake a little bit and I just was like, okay, just I'm, I'm aging. And then I would bite through it and move forward. When it really hit me and I started moving forward, I was at a Gopher USC football game the fall of 2024 with my daughter and her family and the Gophers beat USC. And it was like, they said, grandpa, we got to storm the field. I was like, okay. ⁓ geez. Which was flipping cool with your grandkids to do that. And ⁓ I'm going down the steps and my right leg was so quivery, I literally had to grab the rail. And I was just like, whoa, what is this? And they were like, you okay? And I said, yeah, I'm just excited. It lasted a fair amount until I got to the field and then it passed. And then I decided I needed to reach out to my PCP and went there and he did his version of the tests. And ⁓ he said, I think it's essential tremors. ⁓ but we're gonna rule it out. The interesting part of the story, I had partial knee replacement ⁓ and then I went to the neurologist after I was recovering and he says, I think you have Parkinson's, but we're gonna do tests to rule out bigger ticket items and I was diagnosed October 14, 2025.

speaker-0: Wow. What did you think when you heard the word Parkinson's? Did you even know that that was an option? Or did you even know anything when you were going into your PCP with the issues that you had?

speaker-2: It scared the poop out of me really because I have people counting on me and all of a sudden I went to, man, I'm going to be in a wheelchair and I'm going to be in a nursing home. Totally.

speaker-0: that that's all still out there. mean, I know it's, I know, know. I mean, and I know it's possible like that, that is possibly going to happen, but that's the same thing that happened to me when I was first diagnosed. I would like, you know, doing my research, the first thing I asked him, like, am I going to be in a wheelchair by the end of this year? And like, my husband started looking at a retirement plan and he's like, do I have to prepare like for like nursing home assistance at some point in your, in my life? And it's like, God, at that time I was like 37 years old. So it's like, Yeah, it's scary. It's definitely a scary moment.

speaker-2: The interesting part, the spring of 2025, I was out for a walk and I had noticed my arm was not doing what it was supposed to. And I have a former student or former student athlete I coached many, many 20 some years ago. And Brian, you would get along with her. She brings the SAS attack big time and she comes out and she's like, Hey Dean, you got Parkinson's? And I was just like, Whoa. And she goes, what's wrong with your arm? And, and I was like, no, I just was thinking about something. She goes, no, do you have Parkinson's? She was diagnosed at 41. ⁓ she saw me walk by her house many times and she has been a wealth of help, but she connects it to the water and what they're treating in our neighborhood. So anyway, just, ⁓ it just really caught me off guard.

speaker-1: Yeah, you can identify, I identify you all the time.

speaker-0: We were in the airport one time and he's like, that person has Parkinson's.

speaker-1: Welcome to the mall, my cave is up. Are you perky?

speaker-0: ⁓ But it's like, yeah. And that's interesting that she actually says she brought that up because I haven't, I haven't said it to anybody, but there's, there are people that I've seen that I don't know, but then I think of it because there are, there's classic signs and it is good to find it early. ⁓ But it's interesting that you say to that about the water. ⁓ If you haven't read it yet, Dr. Dorsey and Dr. Oaken wrote a book on the Parkinson's plan. And it tells about a lot of people, a lot of different stories are in there. So I highly recommend checking that out. It's great book, but it talks about how all the pesticides and all the things that toxins are in the water, in the air, in our bodies now are contributing to that. So from your retired science teacher, right? Yes. So with that type of background, did it...

speaker-2: Yeah.

speaker-0: Was there anything that you you've ever studied or like you helped like with your kids in middle school like that made you think about this news any differently or that you knew more of? Just curious.

speaker-2: ⁓ the science side, the, the neurology portion of it was very foggy. I don't have much background in it. but the teaching side of this and, and I find it interesting and I'll do it real quick. I always, when I went to school, everybody was taught the same thing at the same time in the same way. And we're going to be assessed on the same time and we're going to move forward. Everybody moving the same. And I never believed that as a teacher. I came with, I call it STL, share the learning. This is how the book says they should do it. This is how I think they should do it. Now let's, I want to hear how all you all, you know, I want to hear from you. And it was very, you know, empowering fast forward. Parkinson's is exactly that because there you can't, you can't put it in a, in a box. and treat it all the same. But it's weird when I was in front of the classroom I felt I was in control. And now I'm one of the students and kind of out long for the ride. So it I had empathy for being a student of this and I don't know if I like it or not.

speaker-0: I think it's safe to say that you'll be back in, you'll figure out what you can control and then understand the things that you can't, but the things that you can't control, how do you adjust your life so that it works and it fits within your lifestyle,

speaker-1: Yeah, we talk about living within your disease, I guess, a lot of times.

speaker-0: versus the disease taking over you, yeah.

speaker-1: So like, you know, hey, the simple thing is like traveling to the airport, maybe a lot for an extra half hour because you know you're gonna walk a little slower or...

speaker-0: Vacations, plan naps. tell Derek, I'm like, if we're going to be going, going, going, I'm like, there has to be a nap time in there.

speaker-2: The podcast kind of bundled together, but Jess, you had talked about girls weekend where you just, you go, you quit thinking about it, you drop your routine, but then you pay for it on the backside. have visitors coming to Arizona from Minnesota, and then you just fall off after they leave. And it is so true, ⁓ about listening to your body.

speaker-0: Yeah, it really is and you don't know when it's going to hit.

speaker-1: And I've become a little bit even more in tune with it even lately. I'll just throw this out there for example. Yesterday I was working, working, working and it just hit me like three o'clock. I was like, I gotta go lay down. I have to go lay down. I have to go lay down now. Yeah. I just went in for like 20, 30 minutes. I set the alarm and just went in and crashed and I was out. But I just, I mean, it was like, there was no question I had to lay down.

speaker-0: I know I get that. So my daughter actually just had surgery on her shoulder from a basketball injury and I was you with her it was just like a whole like not emotional but like just a lot of things going on at once and it's like after like a couple of days I'm like I I literally laid around all day and I'm like I cannot feel bad about it I know it's like there's so much crap going on around the house but I'm like you have to just give yourself that time or else it just keeps creeping up

speaker-2: we had guests that just left on Monday and both my wife and I, it's like, okay, Dean, listen to your body. Take Tuesday, Wednesday to listen to that. And it does make a big difference in the stress and the mental of it, not to mention feeling better. So huge, advice that you have.

speaker-1: Yeah, and I would say that on top of that is, you know, tell your wife, don't feel like I'm holding you back. Like if you want to go do something with the friends and I don't feel like it, or I need to take a nap, you know, I guess sometimes giving that permission to, you know, giving yourself permission to take a nap and giving her permission not to, you know, just to have to feel obligated to stay there and watch you.

speaker-0: My husband says that to me and he doesn't have parkers. He's like Friday night. I don't want to do anything I'm spent from work. You do whatever you want and I've always taken that but yeah, that's a really good point Yeah, it's always watching out for the caregivers too. So how how is your wife with handling everything?

speaker-2: That's been a challenge. ⁓ I'm married to an angel. ⁓ She just wants, she's always got her radar on to help people and fix people. know, she's, you we laugh when you go to the flea market, it's like, okay, Darlie, you gotta walk on this side, because you're gonna buy from this person, because you want to help them out. She wants to fix what I'm going through and... It gets heavy. It gets heavy and learning to share what needs to be shared, not every thought in my head, because I'm, I'm not where you are. I can't even imagine I hear in your early on where after a year or so you don't think about it every day. And I can't even, I'm not there yet. I Darla is easy to talk to and listen. we're, we're maneuvering. We're getting there. We're not there yet for sure.

speaker-1: I would say and this is we've talked about this multiple times and it's just checking with her saying heck. How are you doing?

speaker-0: And I'll pardon me is afraid to ask. But honestly, that is actually really good. And it's something that I did do before. And that's when my husband told me, this is a while back, but he was like, honestly, he's like, I'm okay with it. He's like, but I can't think he's like, I don't want to, or can't think about it every single day. He's like, you know, I know, I know what the future potentially might hold. And he's like, so the fact that you talk about it all the time, he's like, it's just, it's a lot for me sometimes. And I'm like, And in my mind, I'm like, well, screw you. have to, I have to think about it all the time. It's like, you should too. It's like, but then they really shouldn't. I mean, and that's something I have to, I had to learn along the way. It's, know, it's just like if somebody came home from work and just constantly just bickered and complained about their job every day, day in, day out, ⁓ you know, it is, it is hard to keep some of that stuff to yourself, but that's why if you don't have a community yet, ⁓ definitely find. you know, finding one because that's, that's where I go. Like going to the, yeah, we go to the gym. It should be every day. And so when we go there, we just vent and that way we get it out. And that's why I always say, I always kept a journal because then that way I can like write it out just so it's out there. ⁓ so that they're not weighing with it. But on the flip side, I feel like sometimes I might not say enough. And then when I'm not getting help that I feel like I should be getting, I get pissed. So that's like something I gotta figure out.

speaker-1: I would say you were talking about thinking about it and non-stop or whatever early on, you know, and you'll figure it all out at your own pace, but just try not to forget to live today because you're thinking about tomorrow.

speaker-0: I used to say to myself, it's like, because today is going to be the best day, you know, because every day, just like with any human being, every day you're getting closer and closer, you know, to the end. it's like not to be so morbid. But I'm actually, you know, if you think about it on the flip side, I feel so much better today than I did seven years ago. So I'm I feel like I'm going to be I'm living my best life now because of what I went through of educating myself and taking medications and knowing to exercise and finding people in a community and then now getting DBS, it's like, I feel way better than I did when I was first diagnosed. And I highly recommend for your wife too. And you have kids, said? Adult kids? Only five. That's it. That's how many I wanted. I have two. ⁓ But it's also beneficial for them to have a support group too. ⁓

speaker-2: That's only five.

speaker-1: Thanks.

speaker-0: if there's one like in your area, because we have caregivers, care partners, they get together once a month at the gym and it's just something for them to talk about like what they're going through without you there, you know, and it's just a way for them to, you know, get, do the same thing that we're doing, but just with people that are like them in the same situation.

speaker-2: And that's the part that's missing on mine. have. And I know one of the podcasts you referred to is like at our YMCA, there is a Parkinson's group and. And I know I'm 62, but when I'm talking to Brian and Jess, I'm I'm your age. I see them and I'm just like, no way. I'm not that old. Yeah. And I haven't found my PD group yet, but my. my community, my family, it gets choked up. My community has been so supportive and amazing. ⁓ It's very humbling and honoring. I have that, which I'm thankful for.

speaker-0: Are you open about it with like, I know you said obviously with family, but friends and neighbors and things like that?

speaker-2: Yeah, and I picked a cue. One of the lines I'm stealing from one of your guests is like when I talk to friends, ⁓ it's like, I I've been diagnosed with Parkinson's. ⁓ I'm not going to die from it. I'm going to die with it. It's a very misunderstood disease. If you have questions, I'll tell you whether I want to answer it. I probably will. If you don't want to talk about it, don't don't feel like you have to. It really opens up the door and that just that simple dialogue, whether my teenage grandkids to family and friends has helped out immensely.

speaker-0: That's good, then that's hopefully you find out you can even find maybe a community to see in that way too.

speaker-1: You'll be amazed how many people will start saying, ⁓ I know somebody that has that, or my dad or my uncle or my grandfather or something like that, that has Parkinson's.

speaker-0: Yeah. What do you wish people understood about how important family and the support is when it comes to being diagnosed?

speaker-2: ⁓ That's a really good question. ⁓ Where I'm at right now is most of the people don't see the tremors. And as we all know, they're there most of the day and even though they can't see them, ⁓ that it weighs heavy on my mind because it's in the background. Even though you can't see it.

speaker-0: You feel it.

speaker-2: Um, you feel it and explaining that to people, I get a lot of aha looks. It's like, Oh, never really thought about that. And, uh, that would be my hurdle or obstacle.

speaker-0: Do you take medication yet?

speaker-2: Okay, I'm waiting to see your expression, Jess. I'm on ropnerol.

speaker-0: Hmm. That's okay. It's okay. As long as it's, if it's a low dose, you're good. I went, I went too high.

speaker-2: and it's so interesting, just, I'm, I'm very fortunate to have a care team that all communicate with each other. That's my PCP to mine, to my neurologist, to my MDS. ⁓ and it was interesting. Went to the MDS, ⁓ Dr. Kiper at the Struthers Parkinson's Institute in the twin cities. And, ⁓ he's like, okay, why are you on ropinerol? And he goes, well, let me look at Dr. Betty's notes. Okay, I would probably put you on Carbidopa, Levodopa, but I get it. And he said, just keep an eye on it. So it was reassuring in that sense.

speaker-0: ⁓ The repinner all, mean, I shouldn't bash anyone because anyone drug, but I've just the dopamine agonist, they just make me so nervous. And the fact that like, they're still out there. And I've heard so many crazy stories of, know, cause when you're addicted to something, you don't realize, I mean, you're like a typical addict. Like you're like, ⁓ it's because of this or it's because of that, or it's, it's, won't last that long or

speaker-2: Good. ⁓ that doesn't help. Yes.

speaker-0: I can get over this. can go to bed now if I wanted to. And you can't. And so many people have lost their fortune, got divorced, had family issues. It's just like, carbidopa levodopa, it clears up so much. It's like, why don't they start us? That's the gold standard. Why don't we all start on that? And everybody freaks you out because you're going to get dyskinetic. You're not going to get dyskinetic on day one. And even if you do get dyskinetic, which means you're just moving all around, which is what Ryan and I used to do before DBS. Even if you do, then you lower down your medication and there's other alternatives. I just, I just have a, I don't know. That's just my two cents.

speaker-2: The one thing that your podcast really, really, really helped and going back to when I was diagnosed and when my neurologist told me Dr. Betty and he was just so laissez faire, you know, he's like, yeah, you, I'm, you've got three of the four markers will do tests, but I'm pretty sure you got Parkinson's. And I was just like, he was just, well, one, one of the neurologists early on in podcast, he Said once he says Parkinson's, he knows the patient doesn't hear anything more than the following where they dig in and the follow up Dr. Betty did and both Darla and I, because she listens to some of the podcasts, she just said, this is what Brian and Jess were talking about because I was just like, dude, help me.

speaker-0: Yeah, like what else can what can they do like it's you want them to be able to do or have some some more empathy or something and it's like you're given like nothing

speaker-2: It totally, totally.

speaker-0: How did your kids feel about the diagnosis?

speaker-2: varying forms of it, very supportive. ⁓ Some were shocked, but ⁓ very supportive of like, I don't know if you've heard of the fish philosophy, ⁓ four philosophies of choose your attitude, be there, make their day and play. And Alex, my son, he just said, dad, you're gonna do like Michael J. Fox. You're gonna choose your attitude. You're going to get through this. you're going to choose the best route. Another son, he goes, you know, I'm very conscious of the tremors and it's like Harrison doesn't, my grandson, he doesn't care if you got tremors. He just wants to hang around you. So very supporting in a different way, if that makes sense.

speaker-0: Yeah, yeah, that's awesome. I'm glad that you supportive family and friends. That makes a huge difference. So what do you feel most uneasy about or unsure of in this early timeframe?

speaker-2: When I got the diagnosis, it felt like I went from retired to elderly, just like that. And the scope of the world as your oyster ⁓ disappeared. And the time that it takes, I do cardio three times a week, I do strength training three times a week. To be proactive, it just takes... I didn't anticipate it would take so much time to take care of yourself, which takes away from other things. And that's been a big challenge.

speaker-0: You mentioned your world almost like shrinking or coming down. you still feel that way?

speaker-2: It's better. In the fall, there were dark days. I don't think I was depressed, but we talked a lot about having an eye on our students with apathy. Now I know what apathy is. I know. I'm crazy about it. Yeah. But there's still valleys, but not as bad as it was. I just had days just like, I'm very much a mover and a shaker. you know, and ⁓ of this person. And it's very frustrating that I can't, you know, I can't prepare for this because it's different on different days.

speaker-0: Do you think there's anything that you would even be able to tell yourself or to tell somebody who's a few steps behind you? So newly, newly diagnosed like this month, let's say that would help them through that or, or not. It's my feeling is I feel like you have to kind of go through those motions and those emotions, but is there something that you think you could tell somebody?

speaker-2: I would say tap into, I mean, just like your podcast, ⁓ that you have to vet them because there's also podcasts that go all in a different direction. But getting information and not being overwhelmed by it. Because your podcast, I will say ⁓ it's my version of 80-20. and it's like 80 % of your content is so flippin valuable and it has helped me out so much. 20 % is like, ⁓ shoot, this is heavy. It's real.

speaker-0: ⁓ Yeah, and that's the hardest part is like, do you bring like, just like what you're talking about, it's reality. It doesn't have to be doom and gloom. Like, you you're finding out, you're finding hopeful parts about your life, I hope, through this, like through how your family has reacted, how you're, you know, coming through on the other side and you're making all the, I would say the right necessary steps to do that, meaning, you know, looking for looking for support groups, even though you don't like the one right now that you have, which I totally get. And that's why that's what holds people back. Yeah.

speaker-1: heard that a lot though. You go to a support group or a care partner group meeting and the people are much older than you and

speaker-0: And that's why I would say keep telling people about it because you can probably create your own.

speaker-2: Through your podcast, I've connected with people that you've had guests on. ⁓ good. And can't think of her last.

speaker-0: Martha Carlin?

speaker-2: Yes, what a fascinating lady.

speaker-0: ⁓ did you really? She's so knowledgeable. My gosh.

speaker-2: and then. Through her, I met we had another one with Lisa. And she said she was just fabulous. She just said just use zoom me anytime if you until you find your support group and I'm just like so I I'm not at the point where your guests say I can't say that PD is a gift yet. But it does me.

speaker-0: Yeah.

speaker-2: really reinforce living in the moment and cherish and seeing those things that you might overlook otherwise.

speaker-0: I totally agree. But one thing I will say at that is what's hard is people that aren't through that. So like, you my husband doesn't, he's, he's going through it with me, but it's not him. So when I think of things of like, this is something happens at home, it's like, okay, this is not the end of the world. This is a small little thing. Let's get over it. And in his mind, it's like, it's like everything. And it's like, yeah, part of me, it's almost like you kind of want people to think that same way that you are, but it's like, don't want to give you a diagnosis and make you think differently about life. But it is such a great feeling. Like you'll maybe you'll even notice, like I feel like I'm a better parent because of this. ⁓ I'm able to help my kids like through certain situations, ⁓ make them recognize what, what truly is a big deal and needs to be focused on. But then also understand when things happen, you have to just figure out like, how do I keep moving forward? and you can worry about what happened, you know, but how do you, how do you move forward? Like let, there's no reason to yell, scream or fight about that situation. It's not going to change anything. Just like if we sat at home and, you know, hunker down and just said like, you know, screw this, I have Parkinson's, I'm not going to do anything about it. You're not helping anything, but taking that step forward. And so I just, you'll, you'll, might notice yourself of like just having a different out. I mean, you already said it, having a different outlook on life.

speaker-1: I had that conversation last night. They were like, don't you, do you ever get mad anymore? And I was like, I was like, well, when I got diagnosed with Parkinson's and that and just becoming a little bit older, you know, my starting getting starting to mature.

speaker-0: Not really. you are maturing now. At the age of 50, he's maturing.

speaker-1: But ⁓ but i'm like yeah, but after i got diagnosed with parkinsons, it's it's i'm like why Sweat the small stuff. I know

speaker-0: It's like exactly.

speaker-2: Did you just ever get angry and I want to hit something or you know, I ⁓

speaker-1: Yeah, I did

speaker-0: Why didn't you?

speaker-1: I didn't have time. I was like, you know, let's say working, raising my son.

speaker-0: It's time to get mad.

speaker-1: ⁓ I was busy. I had to worry about travel across and, you know, all those fun things you do with teenage kids. And like said, I was there, I got diagnosed on a Tuesday and Thursday I was in a Parkinson's gym around people that are highly functioning people with Parkinson's. Now they're mostly more, much older than I was, but I'm like, that was my introduction early to Parkinson's is all these high functioning people that don't look like they have Parkinson's.

speaker-0: See, mine was too. So I went to the gym, you know, within that first month that I was diagnosed, I went to PD Next Steps and I was around everybody, but I was emotional and mad. So there would be times where I would just like, you know, lift a heavier weight just because I wanted to like... ⁓ And I did go to a couple boxing classes. I didn't love boxing, but like when I did go, it's like I would just punch the crap out of this bag because I would be so like mad that my... my arm or my hand wasn't working as well. ⁓ would have, you know, like I told Melissa, like, there's sometimes I'm like, I was crying in class, but you couldn't see me because I was up front and she was like slightly behind me. was like, and I just, I just couldn't believe like this is, this is my life. ⁓ But, you know, and I did that stuff. I did it at home too. And it like, just, I'm like, I just can't believe this. I really like this is what is going to become of me. And it's, that, and it feels like it was just yesterday and it was seven years ago. So, yeah, I mean, I definitely, was angry, but it's good not to stay angry that long. And someday, you'll have like some days like when my arm was having issues with my shoulder and stuff like that, I'm like, I'm just so like, I'm just so over this right now. But everybody has something in life to deal with and just figured like this is mine, so make the most of it. But.

speaker-2: Are you a competitive person, Jess?

speaker-0: I think most would say yes, yeah.

speaker-2: Okay. Because I'm very competitive and it's my anger was like, and when I was talking to Darla about this podcast, she said, you know, early on you were in denial, you know, you are going to beat this damn thing. yeah, I'm more accepted now.

speaker-0: That's good. mean, people try to get you in that manner too. And they're like, ⁓ there's almost a cure and there's almost no, it's like just accept where we are. And I'll be joyful when things do come along. But for right now, you know, exercise is, the number one medicine. So you already mentioned that you do exercise on a pretty regular basis. What's, what's your, what's a week look like for you?

speaker-2: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, strength training. And I was very fortunate, about a year ago before, way before I was diagnosed, I started a program it's called, ⁓ progress, not perfection. And, ⁓ and I just decided, okay, I'm, I'm over 60. I want to work on my core and try to be proactive. ⁓ and then on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, I do 30 minutes of cardio on elliptical and try to walk 10,000 steps every day. I showed that to my neurologist and he was like, yep, he goes, I was gonna prescribe this. You're fine, stay on this program.

speaker-0: Wow, Melissa, don't get any ideas. I can't do that much.

speaker-1: The one thing I would say is just be aware and be what we're looking for intentional with your emotions because a lot of times when we work out alone we think we're opening arms, ⁓ look how far, when really we need to be here.

speaker-0: Yeah. And you might not notice that right now. And that's why it's important. Like when we joined the Parkinson's gym, my neurologist actually told me, she's like, are you working out? And I was like, yeah. And I was at a, just a gym down the street. And she's like, well, I'd like you to go to the Parkinson's gym more because they are more intentional. Like the things that Melissa does with us, it's like, we're, we're doing this because right now our bodies want to go smaller and we think we're going big or we're think we're being loud and we're actually not.

speaker-1: Going out

speaker-0: So that's actually, that's a really good point. Look at you. What?

speaker-1: And then also the thing is having a person cue. mean, especially now where I'm at, me for up, high knees or up down or however most of those are done saying, you know, big steps, know, just having those cues and versus, you know, somebody saying, you know, do some lunges.

speaker-0: Right, right, yeah. ⁓

speaker-1: Pick your feet up, pick your feet up. then it just cues my, you know, I hear her voice.

speaker-0: And now I hear it in the back room. But that's a great exercise routine. mean, definitely stick to that and doing that many steps. That's great. Good for you.

speaker-2: And then, I think Jess in one of the podcasts, I also do massage therapy. I remember you saying that and I can't remember the podcast, but I can totally relate to what you were saying. Where I'm at now, when I do massage therapy, it's one of the few times where it just goes away. I don't think about it. And it's nice to give your brain a... a break from it. the same way when I do the elliptical, I love how I feel after and it's almost like, ⁓ I don't have Parkinson's. And then the PD comes back and says it's who's in charge. But it's just so nice to take a break from that. And I don't know if that makes sense.

speaker-0: No, it does. I get that. ⁓ But that's where I'm just gonna make another little ping in there again about it. But carbidopa levodopa will like really cover a lot of that because ⁓ when I was on Rapinorol, it helped. They wanted to do it because I had a lot of issues with my legs. So it usually helps with restless leg syndrome. And it can do a little bit for tremor, but ⁓ not as much as the carbidopa levodopa can. And that's where I think that's I finally got to a point where I wasn't thinking about it all the time. And now, especially with DBS, and I don't have to take pills all day long, like, now I really don't think about it. I only think about it because of my job. But, well, thank you so much for coming on. We so appreciate you reaching out to us and sharing your story. ⁓ It's just, it's been incredible talking to you. So thank you.

speaker-2: Well, thank you. Thank you both. It's again, it's been super helpful and I share your podcast with family and friends just because it's like if you have questions, they can put it in terms that help you understand it. And it's, ⁓ you've helped a lot, you know, you've helped one person a lot. can vouch for that.

speaker-0: Well, thank you. appreciate it. Keep it up. Yeah, keep it up. Well, in our last 30 seconds, I'll leave you with this. As Dean said, this STL, share the learning. I think that was actually really, really important, really critical point to this whole matter is, you know, share what you're learning, share what's out there, share your stories. It really helps other people as they move along their journey. And as always, keep exercising. And on my comments about medication, I am not a doctor. I am not making recommendations. I'm just giving my own.

speaker-1: Good work.

speaker-0: ⁓ personal experience. ⁓ So with that, I'll see you next time.

speaker-2: you