I’m trialling some different approaches to my medications and documenting the results. In conjunction with this I am noting changes to my energy states on different levels. The primary reason for this documentation is because I will be seeing my neurologist next week and I’d like to be a little more prepared than usual.
One different approach is to go for an unmedicated walk prior to breakfast as I’m finding I can manage this quite well. For right or wrong I’m concerned about taking too much medication because of resultant symptoms. The good news is – I am managing more kilometres, the downside is just that – I experience more down time. More questions for the ‘neuro’.
Unfortunately my early morning walks are coinciding with colder weather as we move southwards. Today we left a very quiet closed up Gunnedah (we were one of only two guests), heading south to Mudgee (this time to stay).
We took the backroads again through vistas of rich green flat lands which I could cast my eye over because of the paucity of traffic. Through lots of tiny towns, such as Mullaley with a pub and a service station with tiny house accommodation.. British backpackers were working there, fulfilling their visa obligations.
Then it was on to Tambar Springs where a friend of mine used to teach at a tiny school. Coolah with its controversial black stump was next, followed by Dunedoo. Then it was on to the old gold town of Gulgong, thriving in its uniqueness, where nearly every building in its main street has good reason to grab your eye.
Finally Mudgee, where nearly thirty days ago we walked its river banks – such a refreshing start – and now deeper into the cool of winter had us linger less beneath its rugged hills.
I’ve had a very successful nearly ten years with minimum medication. The walking, physical and cognitive exercises, I like to think, has held off more invasive methods. The poem I have today echoes some of my thinking, and maybe that of many others.

Why can’t we be the needle in the brain
That interrupts a silent execution
And cells we lost we once again regain
It seems the most appropriate solution.
Instead we make a hole in someone’s head
Then poke a needle where it shouldn’t poke,
Results are mixed – there is a bit of dread
A better life maybe, before they croak.
There’s neuroplastic evidence that we
Can change our brain just if we had the mind
To, tools are there for everyone to see
And if we really focus we can find.
Instead of in one’s head we make a hole
Let’s try it from outside, and make it whole.