After 43 years as a registered nurse (RN), newly retired Marcia Atkinson faces the next challenge in her life—living with Parkinson’s.
She knew something was amiss before retirement from Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in 2014. Serving as an ICU nurse and in palliative care, Marcia knew something was wrong when she started having trouble keeping her right arm still. Why didn’t she go to the doctor? She explains, “I got so busy… there was lots going on at the end of my career, that I didn’t pay much attention to it. I waited until I retired and then some.” She lived with tremors in her arm for about a year before finally seeking advice from a neurologist.
She explains via telephone, “My neurologist looked at how I moved and walked and said, ‘You are showing signs of Parkinson’s.’ After additional tests, he confirmed his initial diagnosis.”
As a retired medical professional, Marcia is an ideal patient. Not all are. Marcia does everything she can to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s. She attends a physical activity group and keeps her appointments with the psychologist every week. She participates in bi-weekly SpeakOut therapy sessions. [URL updated 9/27/2024] Beyond these and other programs, she exercises 30 minutes daily (that’s more than most of us) and takes all her vitamins. Since her diagnosis, she’s lost 30% of her body weight. At 5’ 7”, she’s making the world’s top models feel fat. However, she hopes drinking Ensure will help her maintain and maybe gain a little weight.
It gives me pleasure to feature Marcia as I’ve known her a dozen years. She and her husband Scott are gracious hosts, welcoming us to their cabin near where I live. She made white rum and Coke, which became my usual drink when we visited. As her words sounded more slurred we figured we’d better stop drinking like we’re 21 and start acting like we’re in our 50s and 60s. Unknown to us, Parkinson’s was intruding.
“This was not definitely in my retirement plan,” Marcia says with a nervous chuckle. “Originally, I thought, this is no big deal. As time went on and the symptoms affected more parts of my life and mind, I knew I was up against far more than I expected.”
Husband Scott explains, “We both saw it coming. She saw it earlier. I thought it was age-related. She was slowing down at work. It was showing up little by little as she was doing things – making notes as her short-term memory failed. I accepted it. [After diagnosis] I accepted it. It was an illness or disease that was happening. We could do as well as we could, living with it.”
Marcia copes with this new challenge because, as she says, “I feel I can make a difference.” Her voice quivers with emotion as she adds, “There are a lot of people who live and die poorly with Parkinson’s. I want to encourage more research and help people with the simple things in the big picture of Parkinson’s… reducing anxiety and drooling.”
To remain proactive in doing her part while living with Parkinson’s, she explains, “I moved to a doctor closer to home and am being treated for Parkinson’s with various medications. I got involved with more programs at Orange Coast Memorial Hospital Fountain Valley.”
What is the worst part of Parkinson’s?
“The problems change unpredictably—monthly and sometimes weekly and even daily. I can have cognitive issues, not being able to understand what’s going on for one week, and then the next week, I’m fine. Fortunately, The Caregiver’s Voice caught Marcia during one of these good weeks.
What is the best part of Parkinson’s?
“The gift is I’m more aware of what’s going on about the world of Parkinson’s and able to improve as much as possible over the next five years. My husband and my children have been helpful.” Scott adds, “We have a really strong family.”
Before we conclude the telephone call, Scott offers this perspective, “There’s no going back once this thing starts. You have to take it day by day and deal with each occurrence as it comes up—the shaking, drooling, short-term memory loss. You keep on keeping on.”
As a medical professional, Marcia is well-positioned to accomplish this. She is always smiling. This image is how I see Marcia. JOYFUL.
Scott, thank you for sharing this beautifully written story. I have always looked up to Marcia and admired her caring/loving spirit. Marcia is truly one of a kind who has given so much help and support to others the past 40+ years. She is an inspiration to all of us, our hero and we love her dearly. Hugs to you & Marcia…flo & bill
Floriana, thank you for writing such sweet and encouraging words about Marcia!
I hope you don’t mind; I made the correction (from “to” to “so”) and deleted your 2nd message with the “oops alert” and change. 🙂
We love you Marcia! And our beautiful daughters are our legacy.
Marcia!
You are such an inspiration… You took me under your wing when I began with the palliative care team and I will always be grateful for your guidance. You showed your love and compassion in every encounter you made from patients to families and staff. It was an absolute honor and privilege to have worked with you. You are my hero!
Pam Alesescu
What an incite full article about my friend and mentor Marcia. It breaks my heart to think that this strong, beautiful leader is going through this. She was the director of an extremely busy and stressful intensive care unit. She served with such patience and grace. She has a caring gentle spirit and was an inspiration to us all.
Marcia is proof that attitude is everything! GO MARCIA!!!!
I am unfortunately quite familiar with Parkinson’s as my father was diagnosed late in his life and I watched him decline over the years. Unfortunately he didn’t have the fighting attitude that Marcia has. He was a flamenco dancer and he used to just bawl that he couldn’t or wouldn’t be ever be able to dance anymore.
I told him, “Dad, close your eyes and turn on the music…you can still do it in your head!”
Now my assistant is AMAZING. She was diagnosed very young but she rolls with the punches, as they say. She is SOOO funny with her self-deprecating humor. Her Facebook posts are just priceless and make us all laugh with her at the things that are so challenging for her in her day-to-day walk with this affliction. Some days she is the hydrant but most days she is the DOG!!!! Speaking of ‘dog’, she has a yellow lab that is her service dog and he goes everywhere with her and keeps her on her feet. We had breakfast a couple days ago and he slips quietly underneath the table and won’t even eat the food she drops! Jackson makes her life so much easier.
Prayers for all for a cure!
Carmen, what an inspiring story about your assistant in contrast with the real struggle of loss.
Let us hope Marcia’s (and your assistant’s) story inspires those who are on the fence being hopeful.