“Shake it off. You’ve got this. Just shake it off.”
My parents were athletes. My younger sister and I were athletes. I’m raising athletes.
“Just shake it off” is something I grew up hearing. All. The. Time. If I had a bad inning in the pitcher’s circle, my dad and mom were right there, “Nikki…shake it off. You got this. Get back out there and just shake it off.” Rough night on the hardwood when my shots just weren’t dropping? “Shake it off. Get out of your own head. Just shake it off and be ready to work harder the next game.”
And now? Now I hear those same words coming out of my own mouth. They come out sounding an awful lot like my mother’s voice, but they are now my words. Tough at bat? “Shake it off, Mason. Watch the change-up and just shake it off.” Bad timing on an approach to a signature kill or a little late to the block party? “Ellie…you’ve got this. Just shake it off and be ready for the next play.”
I guess you could almost call it our “thing”. The Drenth/Louiselle mantra. “JUST SHAKE IT OFF”.
Just over one year ago, on November 7, 2017, the words “just shake it off” took on a whole new meaning in a whole new non-athlete way. On that day, with my husband at my side, I heard words that I was completely unprepared for. Words that weren’t even on my radar. “You have Parkinson’s Disease”. Excuse me. Say again? Parkinson’s Disease? But I’m only 45. I don’t have that. No. That’s what my Grandpa had when he was old…not me. Nope. Like with almost any other medical diagnosis…age is just a number. Parkinson’s didn’t care that I was only 45. That I had four amazing, beautiful, energetic, and extremely busy teens to keep up with. That I had a job that I completely adored and took great pride in going to each and every day. Guess what? Parkinson’s. Didn’t. Care. It was clear that I was going to need to “just shake it off”, work harder and get back out there. Get ready for the next play. How funny not funny is it that the girl with the mantra “just shake it off” was just diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease? Because, you know…the whole “shaking” thing.
So, where is this all going? What is this all about? I’m glad you asked. Actually, I’m really just glad you’re still reading. Yes…I’ll be sharing, likely even over-sharing, more about my fight with and disdain for Parkinson’s Disease. But, this is about more than that. I am about more than that. I used to write. A lot. In high school, in college, after I got married. I loved to write. But, life got busy, my kids kept me busy, my job kept me busy and I just didn’t find make the time for writing. Then came Parkinson’s. The rotten bully brought other bully friends along with it. Physical bullies in the form of shaking, muscle weakness, stumbling, extreme fatigue and loss of words. Emotional bullies in the form of tears, anger, depression, fear and loss of pride joined in on the party, as well. I was lost. I was drowning. I needed help. I started therapy. My therapist asked me how I would deal with obstacles, frustrations and disappointments in the past. That was easy. I used to write. She suggested I start writing again, Get my thoughts out of my head and down on paper or on screen. I brushed off her suggestion. Writing was something I “used to” do. My husband encouraged me to start writing again. I brushed off his suggestion. Again, I “used to” write. Not anymore.
The whispers of their suggestions kept getting louder until I really couldn’t ignore them any longer. And…here we are. Here I am. Writing. I started a blog. A blog titled what else but “JUST SHAKE IT OFF”. I’m going to write about my family…whether they like it or not. I’m going to write about Parkinson’s, about college, about books I love, about volleyball. I’m going to write. Will anyone read it? I don’t know. Will anyone come back to check if there is anything new to read? I’m not sure. Will I write daily, weekly, monthly? I haven’t decided. But here’s the thing. I have decided that I’m going to write. Even if it’s just for me. To get it out of my head.
I am grateful I found your blog! I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s as the pandemic hit. It has been a struggle to remain active due to the pandemic restrictions and also because unfortunately one of my symptoms is heat intolerance and I live in South Central Florida, not conducive to outdoor exercise! I have not been geographically close to any family since my diagnosis until my son recently relocated about 90 minutes from me. He has approached my symptoms with a sense of calmness and humor after the initial shock of the diagnosis and I am thankful for this.
I find reading your blog comforting and I like the “Just Shake It Off” name and attitude. Thank you for returning to writing!
Teresa
Hi Teresa –
Happy New Year to you!
Well…I sure am glad you found my blog, as well!
Thank you for taking the time to read and reach out.
I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis. And…I’m sorry for the added complications and stress of this kind of diagnosis in the midst of a pandemic.
I’m glad to hear that your son was able to relocate and that you have someone a bit closer than pre-diagnosis. He sounds like he’s already been a great support to you. It’s so important to find and to have those supports in place.
Please feel free to reach out anytime…if you have questions I may be able to answer or if you simply need to chat.
Take care of yourself and thank you again for your kind words!
-Nikki
Hang in there Nikki! I love shake it off! I am a parky too…keep fighting!!
Hi Jane –
Thank you for taking the time to read and reach out!
I appreciate it!
I’ll be thinking of you as you fight back, too.
-Nikki
Don’t stop Nikki!
People are looking for stories to help them get out of this hibernation they have been in.
We are in Washington State where we are still tucked in except for the 1000’s of protestors. Otherwise we are barely out.
Keep writing. You writing grabbed me and I couldn’t stop reading.
You will help move people forward with your words.
Thank you for such kind words, Sheila!
It means so much that you took the time to reach out.
Niki, I am inspired by your story. I too have Parkinsons . We just have to keep fighting everyday.
I look forward to reading about your journey. May God Bless you and keep you strong.
Joe –
Thank you for taking the time to read and reach out.
I’ll have you in my thoughts as you fight each day!
You will write amazing things of inspiration! I started writing again after my oldest daughter was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor and it was the thing that helped me make sense of my thoughts and feelings…so much of what I write about stems from that. I look forward to following with you! “Just shake it off” is something I heard from the pitchers mound as well and I hear myself telling my kids that too!
Megan –
I am so sorry to hear of your daughter’s fight. I’m glad you found a small measure of comfort in your writing.
Thank you for taking the time to share your story with me. ❤️
My heart and prayers go out to you. God Boess you. He will walk beside you for sure.
Thank you, Annette. ❤️
Amazing that we accept our life as what we have. Not what we want. Life n God hands us the next THING in our life. And we “Just shake it off” and go on. We don’t have many
Choices. We Pick ourselves up and go on with the next thing . How great is that?? You are a very wise smart Lady. God Bless you. And Live on.
❤️
Thanks for sharing your story. I look forward to reading more.
Thank you for taking the time to read and reach out, Dianna. ❤️
You are an inspiration, Nikki! Thanks for sharing your stories and experiences. You’ve certainly got a lot on your plate, but manage to have a great outlook. Writing is therapeutic. For everyone who shares their story, there are many more who can relate on some level. Looking forward to following you on your journey. God Bless!
Thank you for such kind words, Kathy.
What started out as just a journal for myself may actually be reaching and educating others.
I could not have dreamed it this big.
Thank you for taking the time to read and to reach out.
Hi Nikki!
This is Cindy (Beyond the Scale). Your blog is awesome and you have a busy life with your four young adults! Keep on writing! ❤️
Hi Cindy –
Thank you for taking the time to read and to reach out!
I appreciate it! ❤️
Write on, girl…I’m with you!
Gail
Thank you for taking the time to read and reach out!
And…thanks for the laughs from your post! ❤️
You have a gift!! Many gifts!!
Thank you for taking the time to read and reach out!
Kind words of support like yours keep me pushing forward. ❤️