I learned a new word today when, during a webinar for CarePartners, someone referred to PD as a “tripartite” illness. I have always known of the 2-edged sword we face- the physical and cognitive challenges, I guess that I didn’t realize that mood disorders, including anxiety and depression, could be a separate factor of this disease. I think that I assumed moodiness came along as a subset of the other two, but now see that it can be just as debilitating if not recognized and treated. 

So, if my husband has a “tripartite” illness then I think that what is being asked of me as a CarePartner is a “multipartite” response. I have to be ready for whatever each day brings, good or bad. He has days when he feels less energy and I may have to ramp mine up to take care of things. Then he has days when he is off-balance so I am constantly vigilant, making sure he doesn’t fall. He has days when he is quiet, days when he is more outgoing, days when things are okay and days when they aren’t. And I am present for them all.

Not knowing where his disease is going to take us, or even what today is going to look like, is challenging. I need to remember that no matter what I face as a CarePartner, it is much more difficult for my husband who is actually dealing with these changes internally. He cannot stop the tremors, the moodiness, the cloudiness, none of it is under his control. As his PD symptoms progress, I must continue to build my multipartite toolkit so that I can provide the support he needs no matter what comes next.