Okay, so we’ve all heard the thing about how there are no “dumb” questions, but today I am thinking that maybe there are. Those would be the questions that come up on my husband’s journey with Parkinson’s that I am just not ready to face. What happens next? Where will we be in 5 years? How much longer do we have together?

Advances in research, particularly genetic in nature, are promising. They can currently test for Parkinson’s and are working on identifying the unique strains that define each person’s journey. The hope is that one day they will not only diagnose the disease, but also be able to give you a picture of where your particular journey might lead. Neurologists would be able to differentiate whether you are going to face more physical or cognitive challenges based on changes in your genetic makeup. They may be able to hand each person with PD a roadmap, if you will, a tool to help them navigate the progression of their symptoms.

Which brings me back to my original premise…would I want to know where we are headed? If our medical team can tell us what is coming for my husband but don’t have any new treatments or interventions, what good will it do? I hate the current uncertainty, yet recognize that it also brings a sense of hope. His symptoms and our struggles could get much worse or they could just get a little bit worse or, just maybe, they could improve. I think that not knowing everything about our future is working for me. I won’t be asking the “where will we be” or “when will it happen” questions, I think the answers would be too much for me.