“How Does The Patient Set Loss Down? Writing With Intuitive Clarity” By Michelle Terrill Heath

Thank you for sharing this, Michelle. It's a great reminder that we can't assume we know what someone else is thinking or what their experience is, even when we're travelling along the same path of events or are experienced neurologists. I think this also speaks to caregiver experiences, how one person experiences caring for their parent is different to mine

I love these lines in your piece

"He doesn’t need to set them down because he never picked them up.

It is the patient’s right to have their own experience and my husband’s experience with living for 22 years with Parkinson’s does not include loss.

I feel losses because of Parkinson’s and I grieve those losses, apparently by myself."

I feel for you and the losses you're feeling. I hear you, Michelle. xo

Pam Johnston Anna Du Pen Bud Hager