I Do It the S.A.F.E. Way: How I Stay Ahead of Parkinson's Disease, Revised Edition

By Tom S. Gatses

Tom Gatses was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 1999. Instead of allowing this disease to take over his body, he chose to fight his illness like he has learned to do all his life through Martial Arts. Tom had renal failure and was on dialysis for 18 months. This book is a personal reflection of Toms triumphs and tells an easy to understand story along with giving key strategies to staying ahead of Parkinsons, as well as other ailments or debilitating diseases. This book exemplifies how the author stays focused on his positive attitude and daily living from the onset of his being diagnosed through years of struggling with P.D. as well as dealing with his family.

This book describes how Tom has developed the S.A.F.E. way of living, through support from his family, relatives, friends and doctors. Also by having one of the greatest attitudes of living with this disease to having faith carry him through it all, and in exercising not only his body but his mind as well which actually improves his symptoms.

After having Parkinsons disease for over 12 years Tom continues to remain in stage 1 of this progressive disease. He has a Masters degree in Health, Physical Education and Exercise Physiology. He is an exercise enthusiast and believes exercise is mandatory and essential to the human body.

In the past 5 years Tom has had 50 procedures and operations for fistulas, catheters, a kidney transplant, etc. He also had MRSA 5 times in 8 months. Because of his positive attitude Tom not only beat the odds that were stacked against him, but he continues to bike, swim, workout with weights and bands, plays golf and plays strenuous racquetball. He also exercises his mind by playing scrabble, chess, Sudoku, doing crossword puzzles and memorizes countries, States, territories, provinces and capitals of the world.

Tom has received a successful kidney transplant and is living a promising and fulfilled life with his wife Jennie. He has 12 grandchildren with more on the way. He currently resides in Homer Glen , Illinois.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469773742

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Copyright © 2007, 2012 by Tom S. Gatses.

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ISBN: 978-1-4697-7373-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4697-7374-2 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

iUniverse rev. date: 02/01/2012

CONTENTS

The Meaning of S.A.F.E.

Preface

Acknowledgments

Support

Attitude

Faith

Exercise

What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

Who Can Get Parkinson’s Disease?

Common Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

The Five Stages of Parkinson’s Disease

Medications for Parkinson’s Disease

Can You Die from Parkinson’s Disease?

Why I Treat Parkinson’s Disease as

a Human Being

My Experience with Parkinson’s Disease

My Senses of Smell and Taste

Choosing Your Doctor

Getting a Second Opinion

Listen to Your Doctor

My Family Doctor

Psychology and Parkinson’s

Depression and Parkinson’s

Stress and Parkinson’s

Exercise and Parkinson’s

Choosing the Right Exercise

Hydrotherapy

Weight Lifting

Resistance Bands

Bicycling

Walking

Flexibility

Exercising while Lying Down

Exercising from a Wheelchair

Exercises I Do and Recommend

The Effects of Not Exercising for

Extended Lengths of Time

How I Slow Down the Progression of

My Parkinson’s Disease

The Effects Other Medicines Have on

My Parkinson’s Disease

Surgery and Parkinson’s

Support Groups

Talking to People about Parkinson’s Disease

The Benefits of Having a Positive Attitude

Do I Have Parkinson’s Disease or

Does Parkinson’s Disease Have Me?

Laughing at Parkinson’s

Walking with Your Head Down

Shuffling or Taking Short Steps

What Puzzles Me Most about

My Parkinson’s Disease

Sleeping with Parkinson’s

MRSA and My Parkinson’s

It’s War!

My Dialysis

Why Dialysis Did Not Affect

My Parkinson’s Disease

Medicines I Take for My New Kidney

Surgeries Not Related to Parkinson’s

The Caretaker

Parkinson’s Deserves Pain and Suffering

Dr. Susan Hou

Dr. Demetrius Zikos

Dr. David Holt

Dr. John Milner

Dr. John Shea

Anita Pakrasi, My Transplant Coordinator

Father Nick Jonas

About the Author

I dedicate this book to all caretakers around the world. Whatever illness you may have—Parkinson’s, cancer, MS, etc.—you might rely on caretakers who take the time away from their daily living to take care of people with severe disabilities. These caretakers should be recognized and praised for sacrificing themselves to make life easier for people with all types of debilitating diseases. God bless each and every one of you.

The Meaning of S.A.F.E.  

S.     Support—A strong system of support from family, friends, and doctors is essential. When you have support, you tend to try harder and feel better about yourself.

A.     Attitude—You must have a strong and positive attitude. Never feel like you will not get better; feel positive, and remember, a good attitude is half the battle.

F.     Faith—You must believe in yourself and in God. A strong faith can overcome anything.

E.     Exercise—It is mandatory in your everyday living. It is very important to exercise a minimum of one hour per day. The benefits you will achieve from exercising will have a tremendous impact on your life.

You have the power and knowledge to add this simple concept, S.A.F.E., to your everyday life. You will feel healthier, look better, and possibly live longer. I wrote this book with the hope of inspiring and motivating people of all