A few months ago a professor friend of mine – an historian, prolific writer and a colleague from my recent university days – suggested that I might write a book about Parkinson’s Disease framed around the blog and my experiences with Anthony. The professor said that he would be happy to read whatever I wrote and that he would give me feedback.
At the time of his visit, I was buoyant with the discovery that I now looked forward to, and enjoyed, my visits to the nursing home, and was able to spend many hours of the day there.
Since then I have begun to copy/paste various bits and pieces from posts I have written since November 2011 into a document that journals the various transitions Anthony, Ming and I have made since Anthony’s permanent admission to the nursing home in early 2012, nearly three years ago.
One of the most significant things I have discovered since perusing my blog is that I would never have remembered the sequence of events, the emotional turmoils, or the ways we coped, if not for the blog.
So now, on the brink of a brand new year, I’ve decided to write the book and report progress via the blog (as an incentive!) on a daily basis. Or something like that!
jmgoyder 
awesome! Keep us posted as to how it goes and when released. You have a wonderful talent for writing so it will be great 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement!
Sounds good– another book in the works!
Early days!
Good for you , a teaching tool for others
I hope!
I really believe that some things that may seem random… are anything but… and your book will have the heart and soul of a loving family dealing with a very difficult disease…. Diane
Thanks Diane – so much!
Sounds like a wonderful idea and you’re the perfect person to do it (writer, carer & nurse, as well as the actual experience which has probably been magnified by living in the country, where time and activities run to a different clock to us city dwellers).
Good Luck with the project, Julie, and as you say the blogging is a great way to look back.
Vicki
xo
You, Victoria/Vicki, inspire me continually – thanks so much for your encouragement! Jx
This will all be just another wonderful chapter that you share in such a beautiful way. I look forward to it!
So where’s the pun?
Isn’t “chapter” a pun? 🙂 (Chapter in your life and in a book). My kids tell me my puns often don’t make sense and are a bit wacky. I guess I’m “sentenced” to “pun”ishment for that and now I just want to get in the last “word.”
YES! YES! YES! I have always thought that this would be a good idea and am glad that you have support from another professional-you will help so many others and it will be cathartic for you, too!
THANKS!!!
You help so many by being so open in your sharing! Good for you! ♥
I didn’t even know I was being open until other people said so – thank you so much!
You have blessed many!!!
Excellent idea, Julie.
Thanks Anneli!
Hey Julie, Merry Christmas to you Anthony & Ming, here we are xmas gone and new years eve apon us, i read with interest your events of xmas and the gastro which is hitting different people, you can gladly keep that in Paradise. ..haha i don’t need that in Crooked Brook thanks. My xmas was quite with family and friends around the swimming pool it was a relaxed day for all. I was up @5.30am into the kitchen preparing for the day well someone has to do it. All prepared by 11.00am and time for first drink of the day unlike you @6.00am good on you that was a real awakening for the day. …..
Am happy to read your stories about Anthony, will come see him along with yourself after the new year’s out the way & my visitors have all returned to their respective homes. .nice to have them stay but bloody lovely when they depart. You get that living by yourself. ..being able to use the loo , 2 in the house & always someone in there when you have to go..however I’m coping. .. Well a Happy New Year 2015 to you all and will come have that long awaited catch up with you and Anthony.
Cheers Mike. X
I’ve been thinking of you lately, Mike! We need to arrange a day/time that suits you, to visit Ants together. In the meantime I hope you get rid of your loo-visiting guests soon and a happy new year to you too!
fantastic. one thing to consider is the impact you have had on the wider world. because of reading your blog , it has given me insight into patients I come into contact with who have PD and I probably wouldn’t have understood about the dementia aspect but for your blog. I don’t even know how I first came across it but have enjoyed learning from you.
Thank you so much for this encouragement, Brenda!
Congratulations with the decision. It is a wonderful resolution. I look forward to reading the book! Much love as always
I guess I should hurry up and write it!
…or something like that! I love your spunk Jules. Good luck with the book and PLEASE DO include some of the LOVE stories; weave them in. ❤
Diana xo
Good idea (re the love stories) – thanks Diana!
Congratulations and good luck. I always enjoy your writing however sad the emotions sometime are since you write so well.
Thanks Susan. I’m not sure if I told you or not but my first book was “We’ll be married in Fremantle” published in 2001. It was about Alzheimer’s and derived from my PhD.
Thank you for telling me.
Good. It is very hard writing a book but I’m sure you are well up to the task.
Hope so Jane and, btw, I absolutely love your comments and am very grateful.
When I did my honours dissertation I remember how long it took to do the bibliography, index etc and get everything tidied up after writing the various chapters.
Then my tutor said we could get it published in some journals so we worked together practically re-writing it for publication. It was such hard work. I’m still quite proud of my work.
What a great honor for you and way to share your journey (and your family’s) with others.
Congrats and good luck! What a testimony to the powers of blogging!
Yes and thank you!!!
I do believe too it would be great. Good Luck dear Julie, your writing style is amazing and I love to read you. Thanks and Love, nia
Thank you Nia!
This will be such a valuable gift and tool for others. You and Anthony and Ming are fabulous and generous souls.
Thank you for encouraging me – having made the decision I now feel a bit weary!
And I suspect you will get more so before you get this project “under cover” so to speak!
Superb idea! You have a unique perspective as a loved one, as a care giver in both personal and professional capacity, and as a writer. Your writing and candid insights will reach and help so many to understand and cope! Bravo!
Hope so and thank you so much Linda!
This is fantastic news and can’t think of anyone who could do it better! Happy New Year Jules…love to all of you. xxxx
Very happy to read this, that you are writing this book. From reading your blog and having a peek into your heart, I know it will help tons of people. And, inspire. It may also help make for an easier transition in the days, weeks, and months to come, that you are giving birth to this project. Please thank your professor, a wise one indeed. Love, Paulette
You are such a wonderful friend Paulette thanks!
this would be fantastic, jules. i’ve always thought your story would make a great book )
Yay!
FANTASTIC! You are going to do a humongous service to all of the caregivers in the world. You are awesome Jules 😀
Thanks Laurie!
😀
Great project for yourself, as well it has the potential to help a lot of people.
Fingers crossed!
Jules, I have always loved your writing style. I am sure your book will be well-received when it is finished. Yay for you!
Thx so much Jennifer!
This is great idea, Julie! Your journey will be of help and inspiration to many others. Thanks for doing it. I wish you & yours all the best in 2015.
I wish you the same Tiny.
I would read such a book just so you know
Okay!
I love it… I always thought you were going to do that… it will make good reading for others in the same boat…. I’ve been keeping a record of all Linda’s cancers as she has gone through them over the last 20 years and when my other book is published next year I intend to write that as an aid to others…
You are an example to me – you and Linda.
Wonderful news. I wish I could manage to keep up with you more but every time I check in it’s so good to read your writing and I’m sure the book will be a treasure because of it. Good luck with the discipline part of it and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. 🙂
What an awesome idea, please keep telling us what your thoughts are! 🙂
Thanks Lily!
I would too – learning about PD through your loving and insightful eyes has been enlightening even though I don’t know anyone with it. I would certainly buy a copy to give to someone newly dealing with PD …. Happy New Year, Julie! As I said on FB, I don’t remember a year that I was happier to see END. It’s a new beginning ….
Yes yes yes and yes!
That’s awesome, Julie. I’m glad you’re writing a book; and very glad that you have the record to refer to. I’m sure the book will be helpful to many people. I’m very much looking forward to reading it. 🙂
Happy New Year to you.
And to you Tracy!
You have valuable things to say. I’m glad it’ll be available for others to hear.
Thank you so much Lucy.
A wonderful opportunity Julie and a project that will be therapeutic for you as well as a useful resource for others … all the best with it
What a wonderful opportunity Julie … I always thought you would do that at some stage as you have all the valuable material to do the project and it will be therapeutic for you as well as a useful resource for others
Julie, this is fabulous! I’m so excited for you!
What a wonderful idea! 🙂
This is a brilliant idea, Julie. I believe that you will be a success and that your book will be of infinite value to others who are facing what you have/are dealing with. xo
Wonderful idea! I’m sure a book like that would be helpful to many others.
you are such an amazing writer and this is a difficult subject for so many to discuss! what a gift to the world!!
keeping it short as you must be a bit over-whelmed with responses.
love and hugs to you my friend
Julie, what a wonderful idea. I’ve been told that journals and notes help make for an awesome memoir/book when pieced together.
Blessings as you write ~ Wendy ❀