When you live with someone, whatever the relationship, there will have to be negotiations and compromise. When we add Parkinson’s Disease to the mix, compromise becomes so much more important. We compromise on activities we do, adjusting timeframes to fit his “on” schedule with his meds. We revise travel plans for retirement because of the challenges PD has brought to his mobility. We adapt our home environment to better serve both of us. And we accept that this is what life will be as we do our best to still live fully every day.

My husband’s journey is a compromise between symptoms. Different treatment options can create different challenges. He was developing a debilitating tremor and decided to have Deep Brain Stimulation. The compromise, or trade-off, is that he now has balance and voice issues. It was a choice he made without knowing the full ramifications, but the tremors are under control. He could be taking more or different medications but most of them come with potential side effects, he chooses not to go there. I revise care for him to support whatever issues his disease and the treatments present.

In my role of CarePartner, I do what I can to minimize our challenges. We buy furniture that fits him, we modify our home to make life easier and safer, I adapt my schedule to be sure I am available for him when he needs me the most. I encourage him to do as much as possible for himself to maintain his personal sense of self. I accept that my life has changed with his diagnosis just as his would have changed had I been the one diagnosed with PD. We are in this together and we can adapt and grow as we figure out what comes next.