Close to the half way mark and I thought it was time to share what is happening for me in the ‘Parkinsons Sphere’.
Pathology:
It has been obvious that I have slowed down and it now takes a greater effort each day, especially in the morning.
On previous walks, covering 25 kms was manageable, now under 20 is my new category, and at 17 it’s really enjoyable and more time can be spent on gazing about.
For the first week, at times I would tend to lean sharply to the right (not politically), after about 10kms, and it was difficult to stand upright.
My left leg tended to have a mind of its own and swing in a jerking manner and the sole of my foot landed first, once again after about 10kms.
My nasal fluid flows strongly all day.
During my ‘off times’ I engage less with Corrie without realising that this affects her.
Photos show that my arm and hand seem to curl up..,

Solutions:
I rev up a bit when I find myself slowing and imagine I’m doing interval training so sudden bursts get me walking with more energy and purpose.
Corrie and I are both happy with the reduced kms because it reduces stress and is more fun.
Having more and longer breaks cures the leaning.
Not too sure what my left leg is on about, but I think it is PD related. So I insist that my leg acts as normally as possible, and I ensure that no matter what it wants to do, I place my heel down first; soon I am back to ‘normal’.
I let my nose do what it wants.
My awareness is more acute re. my ‘off times’ and I am realising that just even a little effort of, eg, acknowledging what she has said, makes a huge difference.
When I notice the arm curl, I do PD exercises with it.

What’s going well:
My arms are in good shape and I am able to utilise my poles well. I use them mainly on upward slopes where they are indispensable and at times on even ground just to add variety and give my legs a rest.
My left arm which years ago simply hung by my side now competes strongly (unconsciously) with my right, with or without poles.
At home I lose saliva on my pillow, it is not happening on this walk.
I have no muscle or body pain of any sort.
Tremor in my left arm has increased but I am happy with my management of that. I try to not let it control me, so I move my left arm accordingly, to reduce or stop it to a state I am comfortable with, eg quickly extending it, tense/relax it, hold or not hold something in my hand, type with it or use it in some other way.