Grief is sneaky and comes in all shapes and sizes
Written by Christine Scheer | February 27, 2026
Grief has a way of slipping in when you least expect it. Generally, I am a cheerful person, but lately I’ve felt a bit … sad? Apathetic? Angry?
The correct answer is all of the above. Is it because I have Parkinson’s disease? Or was it triggered by the loss of our beloved dogs last month? I think I’m still grieving the loss of my old self, the person who was strong both physically and emotionally. Mostly, I am tired of not being strong enough to pick up my granddaughter.
According to the social network MyParkinsonsTeam, people with Parkinson’s may experience the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. “The stages rarely happen in order,” the website notes, “and many people revisit some or all of the stages over and over after diagnosis.”
Reading about grief has made me reflect on how life has unfolded since my Parkinson’s diagnosis 11 years ago.
All shapes and sizes
Denial: Because another doctor had told me I didn’t have Parkinson’s, I had a hard time believing the neurologist when she told me that yes, I did have it. I asked her if she was sure, because I was certain it was a pinched nerve. I requested further testing. No pinched nerve, still Parkinson’s. For the past several months, I’ve had a lot of pain in my shoulder and arm, and guess what? It’s a pinched nerve, and it’s no fun at all.
Anger: Um, if anybody else mentions the keto diet as the key to curing myself, I might get violent. ‘Nough said.
Recent Comments