The Thriving Heart

Book excerpt: For those who dont know, PD stands for Parkinsons disease. I could think of other names right now as well, but Ill stick to the subject. Technically, theres a portion of my brain that produces dopamine, a chemical necessary for nerve conduction (and a bit of sanity), where cells have died. Theres a technical term for those cells as well, but this is neither an anatomy lesson nor a pharmacological treatise, so Ill forgo the technical details. I want to talk about what its like for me to experience this depletion of dopamine and the nuances of daily life therewith. I have no intention of keeping this totally rational. I can do that, but it would be dishonest and not be helpful as I work through each day genuinely. Fortunately, I stay neither in the rational nor irrational all the time. The irrational side of me says, No one wants to hear your bellyache about whats going on with you. Theyre too busy with their own stuff to care. The rational side says, If one person who reads this is helped or inspired to go on one more day, this expression has been worth it. So damn the irrational and on with the rational. Here go both!