Welcome to the first weekly update on my GDNF fast walking journey! I'm excited to share this journey with all of you!
Week 1 and Week 2 Recap - August 26 - September 7, 2024
Week 1 had a special moment for me as I was able to take out the garbage for the very first time. I know that may not sound very exciting, but for me it was a big moment.
Week 2 also had a special moment, as one night I slept 10.5 hrs. I actually woke up an hour late for my first morning dose of medications. I am noticing that I am waking up on more often than not.
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Now, it's your turn! How has your week been, and what exciting updates do you have to share ? Let's continue to inspire each other on this path to wellness.
I will add more to this page as we go along!
Thank you,.
Week 3 - September 8 to 14, 2024
I have been away at my friend Trevor's place most of the week, and have been doing lots of hiking, up to10km one day. The walking has definitely made a difference as I am waking up in the morning some days ready to go. I have reduced my 4pm medication dose by half a pill as I was beginning to have too much dyskinesia at that time of the day. I think it's too early to get excited at such a small medication reduction. I will see what continues to happen.
Week 4 - September 15 to 21, 2024
I have been fairly consistent with my walks this week. Am starting to notice more dyskinesia around 1-2pm, wondering if I need to make another med adjustment, too early to do I think. Will see what happens next week.
Week 5 - September 22 to 28, 2024
Because I had spent a lot of time at Trevor's place the last week or so, I had not been as consistent with my fast walking, and quickly lost most of my progress. Hiking 10-12km in a day is not the same as fast walking for an hour. I quickly found I do not get the same brain benefit(I am going to call it) as hiking. More and more I feel that this may be the SPECIFIC activity needed to roll back PD symptoms.
Week 6 - September 29 to October 5, 2024
This was a tough week because I got quite ill from a bug going around, and was only able to complete my fast walk one time. I went to the dentist before I realized I was sick, and had no cavities or broken teeth. I also had a fluoride free appointment of which I am grateful for. That afternoon though, after my appointment, was when the bug hit and had me out for almost 2 weeks.
Week 7 - October 6 to October 12, 2024
This week has also been tough for me, as I fell behind in my walking and my anxiety symptoms were able to catch up and pass my exercise routine. That is never a good then, because then I have to work extra hard to get back on track. I did near the end of the week and was able to complete my fast walk 2 times, but only up to 40 minutes per walk. I have a lot to do to get back up to an hour. It feels like I am back at week 1.
Week 8 - October 13 to October 19, 2024
This was a tough week, pushing back against anxiety that had raised it's ugly head, as it took five days to get a decent walk in. It was all worth it in the end as I relied heavily on my playlist to get me motivated. Here is one of my favorite tracks.
Week 9 - October 20 to October 26, 2024
I was back at Pine Mountain Railway for some more outdoor fun. Was finally starting to feel better and getting back into shape. Hopefully I can build on this and get ahead of my symptoms.
Week 10 - October 27 to November 2, 2024
This was a really good week for me as I got in four excellent walks, and almost completed an hour each time. Hoping to build on that next week.
Week 11 - November 3 to November 9, 2024
Unfortunately this was not a great week again, although I made progress by finally completing my amitriptyline withdrawal, which is a big load off my mind. I was only able to complete 3 walks, at 30 min each. We are having a bathroom reno done to make it safer and more accessible for me having a walk in shower, but things seem to easily get in the way of walking. This is a difficult task.
Week 12 - November 10 to November 16, 2024
This week is the beginning of our 2 week bathroom renovation. It was very difficult to stay on target, as Kiwi does not like construction, or strangers going in and out of her house randomly. We survived week one, but I was only able to do a half hour at a time for my walks, as I was also completely exhausted.
Week 13 - November 17 to November 23, 2024
Thankfully the renovation has ended. The new walkin shower looks great, and I feel much safer in the shower. I was beginning to feel very unsafe in the bathtub,
Week 14 - November 24 to November 30, 2024
Finally, a week where everything is beginning to come together! I get in some excellent walks, I am beginning to feel even better, this might actually work. It's been a lot of persistence and agony to get my walks in, but it is starting to pay off!.
Week 15 - December 1 to December 7, 2024
Had another good week, but going to make some changes to the blog. Going to record my progress daily as the weeks run away from me quickly.
Week 16 -December 8 to December 14, 2024
Turned 51 on December 8, then had my 29th wedding anniversary with Hayley on December 9. Kept up with my walking, but am excited to record daily progress for more accuracy.
Week 17 - December 15 to December 21, 2024
Sunday 6km, Monday rest day not feeling well, Tuesday 6km, Wednesday it snowed and I did lot of house cleaning, no walk. Had lot's of anxiety Wednesday and Thursday. Got back out Friday, did 11km, crazy day. Saturday was a rest day.
Each km takes around 9 mins, so I need 7km to reach my target of one continuous hour. I am so close.
I have been having days where it seems my smell is returning sometimes and I am beginning to feel hungry sometimes. I am beginning to feel that I can drop some medication from one of my afternoon doses. Beginning to get dyskinesia in the afternoon.
Week 18 - December 22 to December 28, 2024
Sunday - Rest day
Monday - 4km
Tuesday - 3km
Wednesday Christmas day - 3km
Thursday Boxing day - rest day
Friday - 3km
Saturday - rest day
Week 19 - December 29 to January 4, 2025
Sunday - 6km
Monday - 5km, made it through the day no naps, getting more times where I can smell and feel hungry
Tuesday - rest day, lots of dyskinesia
Wednesday - 10km
Thursday - rest day, filmed video, lots of dyskinesia
Friday - 6km
Saturday - 3km
Week 20 - January 5, 2025 to January 11, 2025
Sunday - 5km
Monday - 5km
Tuesday - 6km
Wednesday - 5km
Thursday - 6km
Friday - 5km
Saturday - rest day did not sleep well
Week 21 - January 12, 2025 to January 18, 2025
Sunday - 5km
Monday - 5km
Tuesday - 6km
Wednesday - 6km extreme hunger pains in the morning
Thursday - did not sleep well, up since 3am hoping to walk in the afternoon
Friday - 6km in the morning then edited YT video, bad dyskinesia last night, very hard to sleep
Saturday - helped Felicia move for 7hrs, can't believe how much I was able to do
Week 22 - January 19, 2025 to January 25, 2025
Sunday - rest day, legs sore from all the moving, bad dyskinesia last night, very hard to sleep, need to start looking at reducing my meds
Monday - 6.5km, lowered 10am pill time by one half 100/25 IR
Tuesday - dyskinesia began at 3am could not sleep, 3km
Wednesday - felt better today, 5km, dyskinesia easing off during the day now with the med reduction. I think I need another one in the afternoon..
Thursday - very bad dyskinesia still, slept poorly, had to take a rest day
Friday - 6km, much better day
Saturday - slept very poorly Friday night. Have had to take a rest day
Week 23 - January 26, 2025 to February 1, 2025
Sunday - 5km
Monday - 5km
Tuesday - 6km
Wednesday - moving day, helping my daughter, Felicia 5hrs, she can't do much, she has pneumonia
Thursday - very tired, rest day, my house has been hot since Felicia is staying with us, PD symptoms not liking the heat, walked 2km
Friday - rest day again, temp is back down, feeling better
Saturday - 6km this morning. Dyskinesia levels very low this week, not struggling with med reductions. Hopefully more in the future
Week 24 - February 2, 2025 to February 8, 2025
***This is the week I downloaded the time tap game***
Sunday - Did some moving again, also cleaned the bird cage and kitchen, busy day, very tired
Monday - took a rest day, really needed it
Tuesday - -10 degrees Celsius outside, only did 4km, was not dressed warm enough
Wednesday - -13 degrees Celsius this morning, got 5km in, put an extra layer on
Thursday - still cold but feeling good today, got in 6km
Friday - Woke up tired and not feeling well, took a rest day while I filmed and edited my video. Been having some dyskinesia in the morning lately, downed one of my night time does. That is 3 reductions so far!
Saturday - not feeling well, did not sleep good, no walk
Week 25 - February 2, 2025 to February 8, 2025
Sunday - Did some moving again, also cleaned the bird cage and kitchen, busy day, very tired
Monday - took a rest day, really needed it
Tuesday - -10 degrees Celsius outside, only did 4km, was not dressed warm enough
Wednesday - -13 degrees Celsius this morning, got 5km in, put an extra layer on
Thursday - still cold but feeling good today, got in 6km
Friday - Woke up tired and not feeling well, took a rest day while I filmed and edited my video. Been having some dyskinesia in the morning lately, downed one of my night time does. That is 3 reductions so far!
Saturday - not feeling well, did not sleep good, no walk
I have learned how difficult it is to keep up with a daily walk, so many things stand in the way.
Week 26 - February 9, 2025 to February 15, 2025
Sunday - was only able to get out for 3km, bad diarrhea, the flu?
Monday - was only able to get out for 3km, bad diarrhea. I figured out it is being caused by the tofu I am eating. Need to switch to an organic
Tuesday - garbage day, 4 km
Wednesday - just beginning to feel better, 3km
Thursday - 3km, dyskinesia bad, 5th medication reduction, need to do an update video soon.
Friday - rest day, did not sleep well
Saturday - 3km, went down to the lake with Matt to take pics for video. Ate too much pizza, plugged up my stomach so meds could not get through, terrible experience, OFF for a long time
Week 27 - February 16 to February 22, 2025
Sunday - Very good day. Shoveled the driveway, cleaned the bird cage and did housework, total 90 mins. Got ping pong and boxing setup in the garage again, would like to do a second workout after dinner.
Monday - Shoveled the driveway plus two laps, 2km
Tuesday - 5km in the morning, 3 rounds of boxing after dinner, 30 mins approx.
Wednesday - 5km in the morning, 3 rounds of boxing after dinner
Thursday - 5km in the morning, 3 rounds boxing
Friday - rest day
Saturday - 5km, 3 rounds of boxing
Week 28 - February 23 to March 1, 2025
Sunday - 3km, couple hours of housework. Bad dyskinesia during the night, 2hrs worth
Monday - Had a bad night and day, could not walk most of the day, 3 rounds of boxing in the evening. I think this may be when I downloaded the time tap game.
Tuesday - 3km, 3 rounds of boxing, much better day
Wednesday - 3km in the morning, stamina is down. 3 rounds of boxing
Thursday - Hardly slept, walking bad most of the day. No exercise at all
Friday - Lots of stress and anxiety, no walking, bad day, experiencing full body tremors.
Saturday - Walked 5km, bad anxiety, afraid to leave the house.
Week 29 - March 2 to March 8, 2025
Sunday - 5km, 2hrs housework and birdcage.
Monday - 5km, was in the office most of the day, lots of lying down in bed. Not able to box
Tuesday - 6.5km walking, had a great walk. Bad diarrhea most of the day
Wednesday - bad day, could not walk most of the day, no exercise.
Thursday - 4km, not able to box, very tired
Friday - 5km, 3 rounds of boxing, good day.
Saturday - 4km, had FB presentation. Not able to box. Tired all day.
Week 30 - March 9 to March 15, 2025
Sunday - 4km in the morning, very windy, had to stop, not able to box
Monday - Had to call Hayley and talk to her about my video game addiction, horrible day, but glad things will get better
Tuesday - 3km in the morning, rest of the day a write off, video game withdrawal symptoms
Wednesday - Rest day.
Thursday - 5km, 15 minutes boxing after dinner
Friday - 5km, 15 minutes boxing
Saturday - 5km in the morning, out with kids and Hayley rest of the day. Fun times!
Week 31 - March 16 to March 22, 2025
Sunday - 2km in the morning, had planned on lots of cleaning but was not able to get to it
Monday - 5km in the morning, beautiful sunny day
Tuesday - 5km, lots of spring cleaning
Wednesday - 5km, lots more spring cleaning
Thursday - 5km
Friday - Terrible dyskinesia most of the night, hardly slept, will have to adjust meds
Saturday - 2.5km, out of Matt for the day.
Week 32 - March 23 to March 29, 2025
Sunday - Rest day, housework and birdcage
Monday - 5km, no energy after 4pm
Tuesday - Not able to walk in the morning, anxiety, dyskinesia
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday -
Saturday -
Week 33 - February 16 to February 22, 2025
Sunday -
Monday -
Tuesday -
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday -
Saturday -