Today’s Big Pharma Forecast For Robyn Michele Levy’s Brain

Today is a brave new day in your neurodegenerative life!  Your brain chemistry — probably your dopamine levels — are out of whack and causing havoc: On/Off symptoms; body trembling; sleep deprivation. Begin neurologist’s new (and improved?) medication regime. Keep track of side-effects. Resist urge to eat coconut chocolate chunk ice cream for breakfast.

Advertisement

Sayonara Synthetic Dyes — I Was Still Raised on Kraft Dinner® and Gold Stars!

Raised on Kraft Dinner and Gold Stars © Robyn Michele Levy 1989

Raised on Kraft Dinner® and gold stars
Chauffeured ‘round in fancy cars
Pop-Tart® farts at the breakfast table
T.V. Dinners with Rogers cable

Froot Loops® drowned in two-percent
Do what you say, ignore what you meant
I gotta tummy-ache
Who ate the icing off the Sarah Lee® cake?

Wieners and beans, Velveeta® dreams
We adore the corner store
Stuff a licorice down your pants
Didn’t get that cash advance

Not my fault I’m still awake
Better make me a chocolate shake!

Oh my God, I’m in trouble
My sugar Mommy burst her bubble…
I spilled the milk, I’m a sinner —
Go straight to bed with no Kraft Dinner®!

Lessons Learned From “Chasing Hope Through Humour & Art” in Medicine Hat

1. Parkinson Alberta‘s Beth Metcalf — who read my book twice and started planning this speaking engagement 3 years ago — is a multitalented, multitasking, make-it-happen maven (aka Client Services Coordinator).
2. Parkinson Alberta has an awesome team of staff and volunteers dedicated to the Parkinson’s community.
3. Medicine Hat’s PD community is welcoming, engaging, curious, hopeful, sexy, and inspiring.
4. Medicine Hat Public Library has a beautiful theatre.
5. The World’s Tallest Tepee resides in Medicine Hat. I saw it. And I’ll never forget it — thanks to Mayor Ted Clugston’s welcoming gift — a framed photograph of this Teepee showered in dazzling fireworks.

Robyn Michele Levy’s Brainwaves Join #FoxPDchat on Twitter — Friday April 17 at 12 pm ET

How is technology changing #Parkinsons research? Find out by joining @MichaelJFoxOrg for a scintillating #FoxPDchat on Twitter — Friday, April 17 at 12 pm ET.

Robyn Michele Levy Brings “Chasing Hope Through Art & Humour” to Medicine Hat, Alberta This Tuesday, April 14

Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at 2:00 pm OR 7:00 pm at Medicine Hat Public Library

For free tickets or more information call 403-526-5521

Meet the World Parkinson Congress 2016 Ambassadors!

WPC 2016 Ambassadors play an important role: They all have Parkinson’s disease and have established themselves as dedicated and passionate leaders in PD communities close to home and around the world online; they’ve all attended at least one World Parkinson Congress; they inspire people to get involved with WPC through social media, Skype conversations and giving informative talks to curious groups and organizations (Jillian Carson is my muse). Currently there are 12 Ambassadors — from 7 different countries — eager to answer your questions, share their knowledge, and looking forward to welcoming you and thousands of delegates to Portland in 2016. Check out their bios. These Ambassadors rock!

Robyn Michele Levy Joins World Parkinson Coalition’s Global Community of Bloggers!

I am so thrilled to be a blogging partner with World Parkinson Coalition —  a nonprofit organization dedicated to a worldwide dialogue to help expedite the discovery of a cure and best treatment practices for this devastating disease. I will be one of thousands of people (physicians, scientists, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, caregivers and people with Parkinson’s disease) from 65 countries attending the WPC 2016 in Portland, Oregon September 20-23, 2016. It will be my first time going to a World Parkinson Congress. And over the next six months, I will be sharing my anticipation with you — right here on my blog.

 

Prescription Drugs in Blister Packs: Beware of Human Error — Even at the Best Pharmacy!

When I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I asked Marg Meikle — aka The Answer Lady — for advice. She said, “Find yourself a good pharmacist.” So I did. How do I define a good pharmacist? Professional. Trustworthy. Knowledgeable. Accountable — particularly when something goes wrong. Here’s an example: The other morning while taking my first dose of meds, I noticed a pink tablet was missing from the bunch. So I checked my blister pack dispenser to see if the missing pill was stuck somewhere. No such luck. A quick glance at the contents of the entire blister pack dispenser made my jaw drop — this crucial first daily dose of levocarb CR, and the subsequent five daily doses were missing entirely. In fact, this prescription had vanished from my chart glued to the pack. A wave of panic swept through me: My quality of life depends on the correct dispensing of prescription medication, therefore I depend on my pharmacist. What if I hadn’t noticed this omission? How did this mistake happen? Who’s at fault? After a few phone calls, my pharmacist explained that weekly blister packs are no longer assembled at his pharmacy. Instead, they are farmed out to a centralized drug dispensing company. After checking my file, he explained one of his staff didn’t including levocarb CR on my order, and clearly needs better training. He asked if I had extras of these pills to take until the problem was resolved — which I did. Then he took the blame and apologized. Later that day, the pharmacy delivered a correctly filled replacement blister pack and took away the dud. That’s what I call a good pharmacist.

 

 

Robyn Michele Levy Presents “Chasing Hope Through Art & Humour” April 14, 2015 in Medicine Hat, Alberta

In a couple of weeks, I’m heading to Medicine Hat, Alberta to be the Guest Speaker at Parkinson Alberta‘s Education Day.  My multi-media presentation is called Chasing Hope Through Art & Humour — something I’ve mastered since being diagnosed at age 43 with early onset Parkinson’s, then breast cancer. As promised, I will speak, but I’ll also read excerpts from my memoir, Most Of Me: Surviving My Medical Meltdown. We’ll watch some of my short animated videos, listen to clips from my radio documentary; visit my digital art gallery, tour my blog and much more. Best of all — it’s FREE! Hope to see you at the show!

DATE: Tuesday, April 14, 2015 TIME: 2:00 pm OR 7:00 pm PLACE: Medicine Hat Public Library

For free tickets or more information call 403-526-5521

Reflections on Fantastic #Parkinson Optimism Summit in Tuscon, Arizona

Physically I arrived home last week, but emotionally I haven’t landed yet. I’m still there — in the Tuscon desert — my heart open with gratitude for this tender, brave community finding me, inviting me. Thank you APDA Arizona!