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My Heart


My heart has been in knots for the last few weeks. My sweet Granny, my best friend, my biggest fan...is battling a horrible disease called Parkinson's. We have known this for years. In fact, I was the one who noticed the first sign that something was wrong. It was during one of our long lazy days that Granny and I call "porch days". It feels like my heart is being wrung out almost constantly. For the last several weeks she has been struggling...suffering...and I can't stand it. A few months ago she was keeping my kids while I would go to the doctor, or store, or to run errands, now we are going to take care of her for the day. She can't sleep, she is so stiff that she can't turn over or move. She isn't responding well to medicines. She isn't even "old"! She's only 64! She believes that God is going to heal her, when she is up at night, not able to rest, her and my Paw-Paw read the Bible and cry out to God. She is leaning on Him for every step...and so shall I. Sometimes that's a really hard thing to do though, and I admit I'm struggling a little.

So all of that brings me to this...A cry for help. We have searched high and low, emailed, Facebooked, and called, if anyone has any experience with Parkinson's treatment please let us know. She has tried all of the medicines but they just aren't working. She would really like to try some natural/herbal medicines, but we have no idea where to start. The information on Parkinson's is so...well, nonexistant. Her major problems right now aside from the usual unsteady, shaky, Parkinson's symptoms, are weight loss (she is down to 90lbs), trouble getting sleep (a four hour night is a good night), and being stiff. And extra prayers would be greatly appreciated too. I know that God has a bigger plan for my precious Granny!

If you need to get in touch with me you can call me at 205-433-9040, email me at mamacaffee@hotmail.com, or comment here. Thanks friends. xo, Sam

PS. Isn't she beautiful?!

Comments

Leslie said…
Oh Sam, I don't have any experience with that disease, but I'm praying that the right information will surface and that your grandma will get some rest and healing. This must be such a trying time, but praise God that her focus rests securely on her Savior.
auntie said…
Sam, my heart cries for you. I have no experience with Parkinsons but I just lost my beloved father to cancer. The pain is immense. You and your granny are in my prayers. I will pray for strength for both of you and healing of your hearts.
Sandy said…
I'm crying reading this. My heart hurts for you and your grandma. I have no advice but will pray and pray. I will ask around for advice and prayers.
Lots of love to your family! I don't know you but follow you and feel so close to you. You have an amazing family.
LALALALALA said…
I wouldn't know where to start pointing you, but I've read alot about gluten-free diets and organic plant-based diets really helping. Try PCRM.org has good information. Alicia Silverstone's "The Kind Diet" is vegan, but she has had a lot of testimonials that people with disease have felt 10 times better. As well as crazy sexy diet by Kris Carr who has a non-curable cancer but it has stopped growing due to her alkaline diet. Sorry, I know this is a lot of stuff, I'm no expert, but its worth a shot.
Kathryn said…
Sam, I am so sorry, I know nothing about Parkinson's, but your granny and your whole family are in my prayers. It must be so hard for you and your grandfather, but it is a blessing that she is able to be at home cared for by her loved ones.
Karen said…
Sam, even though I don't have any experience with Parkinsons, I wanted to let you know that your family and your grandmother will be in my prayers.
Anonymous said…
I wish I had answers but I am praying for you and your beautiful granny. I wonder if you could look at Michael J Fox foundation as I know he's made strides with Parkinson's Disease.
Bless by Tone said…
so sorry you and your family are experiencing this, I don't have any suggestions for you guys, but I will pray for your granny.
Goosegirl said…
Dear Sam, my heart is hurting for you and your family. I will continue to pray for your Granny's healing. I don't have any advice. But I am sending prayers and hugs.
Your Granny is YOUNG! Too young to be knocked out with this. I know you have many more adventures to have with her.
Shelley said…
My heart hurts for you and your Gram. I have no experience with this disease, but wanted to share this segment that was on 700 Club a couple weeks ago:

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2012/January/Coconut-Oil-Touted-as-Alzheimers-Remedy/

The video's about Alzheimers, but it's a somewhat similar disease... and coconut oil is natural :) Might be worth a try.

Praying for you and your family.
Debbie B said…
My mom-in-law has had Parkinsons and lupus for more than 10-15 years. At 82years old, she is in assisted living, which takes some of the burden off my husband and his sister. All I can tell you is that Parkinsons affects each person differently, and the meds that work this week may not work in the same way next week. Also, some of the meds build up in her system and cause other problems. It is a never ending process of guessing and trying to figure things out. And yes, it is a terrible disease. Praying for God's comfort and grace for her and your family.
Jeannie B. said…
Sam, I do hope you find something to help your Grandmother. my prayers are with you both.
Candice said…
My prayers are there for your sweet family. Prayer can bring miracles! That is what I will pray for!
Bonnie said…
My grandfather went years with a diagnosis of Parkinson disease. None of the medicine was working for him either. He had trouble sleeping, eating, moving, and talking. A doctor finally diagnosed him with Essential Tremors. Typically Essential Tremors is misdiagnosed with Parkinson. I don't know if this helps but I will be praying for your family.
Heather said…
Sam,
Both my father and Grandmother have Parkinsons, I will ask what meds they are taking and pass it along to you. They are both doing pretty well.
I will email you soon
Heather in New Jersey
Leah said…
Sorry to hear about your Granny`s troubles. My heart hurts with you. I pray for strength and healing.

I understand how much this hurts as I visited my Gram tonight who at 95 isn`t doing well and is existing after a small stroke 2 months ago.
Anonymous said…
:( I'm so sorry to hear this, Sam. My own beautiful grandmother died at age 63 of ovarian cancer, so my heart hears yours.
I know some have amazing health turn arounds by eliminating grains from their diets. Grains turn to sugar in our bodies and we all know what sugar does. Also, essential oils help our family tremendously. We don't have anything as serious as Parkinson's, but we do have issues we deal with, and essential oils help so very much. You can look at YoungLiving.com or doterra.com to find someone to help you answer your questions.
i've been praying for you!
Becky said…
oh i was praying nothing was up, as havent heard from you in a while. like you say God has plans for your beautiful Granny. she is going thru what God has planned for her for a reason, and its usually difficult for us to see it! But will keep you all in my prayers, and if i know of anything about this horrible disease, will surely let you know.
almamater said…
Samantha, I just stumbled upon this blog post tonight and thought of your request: http://blog.imva.info/medicine/parkinsons-disease

I pray it might lead you down a path that gives some help!

Longtime blog reader, jennifer in aust
Renata said…
Yes she is beautiful! I'm sorry I have no experience, but please know I'll be praying for her.
Blessings
Renata XO
Anonymous said…
She is beautiful and I pray that God heals her.
H.A.D said…
Hi Sam.
i can physically feel what you're going through.my grannys been battling with parkinson too.for almost 21years now.she can barely moves now and we're thinking of feeding her through feeding tube as she's having a hard time swalowing food and drinks.
Unknown said…
Just found your blog. Your poor Granny!

You can look into Charlotte Gerson (The Gerson Therapy-they have clinics), Jordan Rubin (The Maker's Diet, David Schmidt (Life Wave LLC).

The last guy has found that people with Parkinson's and arthritis are low in glutathione-the body's most powerful antioxidant.

Those are just a few ideas for you.
Ruby Jean said…
Hello I am new to your blog and See my SWEET friend Renata above... My heart aches for you and your family ESPECIALLY after seeing the SWEET picture of your Grandmother and Grandfather together... You can just see the LOVE that penetrates through both of them for ONE another.. Please know that I will be praying for your family during this time.... I am not familiar with disease and only know VERY little... I do however know of a GREAT Naturalist ( I guess you would call him ) He is WIDELY known and Practices in Texas here is his website he has ENORMOUS amounts of information and is a BELIEVER


http://www.knowthecause.com/

Blessings to you and yours
Angelina
Mimi said…
I'm so sorry. She is beautiful. They are a beautiful couple. I'm almost her age and having some issues,also. I don't have a diagnosis yet, so could be attributed to several things. I pray that a cure will be miraculously discovered and your beloved grandmother will be healed. I do believe in prayer and I believe in miracles.
mommyrachelD said…
my paw paw suffered with that disease for 16 years. He died when I was 16 years old. I have vauge memories of him sitting on the floor playing games when I was very young, but mostly I remember him being confined to a chair, then his room, then a hospital bed in the living room for the last 10 years. He never complained. I remember when his meds would kick in he could say short sentences like "pretty girl" to me as I passed his bed. I have so guilt for not cherishing time with him as I should have. But I guess I was just a kid. I hope you have many happy years left with your grandmother. I'll pray that she is as cheerful and at peace as my PawPaw was. He was a jewel. love you

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