1709

I spent a lot of time in 2017 going to a Rock Steady Boxing class... RSB is an intense exercise class designed around people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease... The coaches are certified by the RSB headquarters in Indiana and the gyms with RSB certified coaches now number over 400 around the world... The classes go for 1.5 hours and include check-in, stretching, warm up movements, physical/cognitive/agility and strength work, boxing (speed bags, heavy bags, and paddle/body armor practice), cool down, and closure rituals... In 2017, I completed about 200 RSB classes (about 4 per week)... I also did about 200 line dance classes (about 4 per week)... I had two sessions of bodywork each month...

In September, I did an intensive PD movement training called BIG... I worked  with a physical therapist 4 times a week for a month... There was also some daily homework which kept me busy even on the days without classes... I am in good physical shape... And my PD is only slightly progressed... I was diagnosed 12 years ago and I'm still driving, moving, not falling, or showing the usual PD symptoms.

I went in for a wellness exam in September as I was finishing up the BIG training... and the PCP looked at me and noted that I had lump on the right side of my neck... I had not noticed that there was a lump... There were no sensations or activity in that area that let me know anything was amiss... He said I should get an ultrasound... I did that and was told that I had large mass in my neck...

That finding triggered a series of tests--blood, lump biopsy, CT scan, PET scan, and a bone marrow biopsy... all of these tests were done to determine if the lump was benign or not, and if not, what was the problem... The diagnosis is that it is not benign and requires treatment... It is a form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma... There are many different kinds of NHL... I have the most common form and it responds well to treatment... I am scheduled to begin antibody and chemo sessions on 1/9/2018... The treatments will involve 4 visits over 4 weeks... and then some wait-and-see period and further testings to see if the meds are working...

There is no pain or sensations which is why I didn't even notice that a lump had formed... Thank goodness for medical insurance--my 2017 total medical bills are out of sight if I didn't have coverage...

Other than all that, that's how my 2017 went... I have had a great time with SH's son, Birch... He'll be two in March, but is doing things way beyond his age... He is a born mimic and will repeat anything he is shown... 

All for now... May everyone have a great 2018...