There are times when I feel like all I am doing is caring for my husband, his needs have totally overshadowed mine. After ten years on this journey with Parkinson’s Disease, I am finally figuring out that this is when I most need to take a step back, take a breath, and take care of myself but how do I find the time? 

Parkinson’s is an interesting disease in that my husband has good days and bad days, even good and bad times during each day. There are some discernible patterns and I am finding ways to take advantage of those. For example, I know that my husband is going to need a quiet time, if not a nap every afternoon. That is an hour that I can have for myself. On his good days, he is able to shower and dress on his own and it is best if I let him. That gives me another hour or so when I can take care of chores or work at my computer. He exercises with an on-line program most days, I can either participate with him to get my own workout, or I can use that time for myself, another hour for me.

The key here is that during those hours, I need to do things that I enjoy and that do not have anything to do with his diagnosis. Reading a book, taking a walk, playing a video game, maybe even doing some baking are all things that I enjoy and that can give me an escape. Yes, I am still here and accessible should he need me, but letting go and letting things be for just a little helps me maintain my sanity and gives me the opportunity to be a better partner for him when he does need to be my priority.