temporary reprieve

I woke up this morning and realized immediately that my right hand wasn't shaking. For a Parkinson's sufferer, that's a very good sign, and a great way to start the day.

And the good news kept coming. After kick-starting the organism with coffee, I had a tremor-free hour-and-a-quarter yoga practice for the first time in a long time.

This was the result of an acupuncture treatment I took last night at a north-end Seattle clinic, consisting of a few needles inserted in my scalp, arms, legs, and feet. And even though the tremor, somewhat moderated, had returned by early afternoon, the morning gave me a taste of what might be awaiting me as a result of long-term treatment, which consists of a twice-daily consumption of an herb tea that tastes like dead frogs in addition to weekly acupuncture.

The most important outcome of beginning this regimen is the sudden appearance of hope, which is something none of us can do without. There's no cure for the disease, but if there's any chance these symptoms can be relieved I'll have all I need to carry on, and seek the kind of life I want to create for myself.

I'll have more to say about this as it unfolds.