The Summer of 2024

 Well, Its been a while but I thought it was a good time to share an update on my recovery. 

A lot has gone on in the months since I was allowed to go home from hospital, I spent 7 days back in hospital for various reasons, which had set me back a bit in my recovery. 

I am at home now, recovering still, and regaining strength and movement with each day, sometimes the Parkinsons can hit me with a bad day - and its a set back - but thats the nature of the disease sadly, the best lessons I can offer there - is exercise, movement, exercise, movement and keep the body parts working so they don't seize up in pain. Its advise I sometimes take, but sometimes if I am distracted by something else, watching television - sat down for a long period of time - I can regret it later! There is a comprise my body seems to accept - it doesnt like sitting down and it doesnt like standing up for long periods of time!

What has amazed me is the level of equipment I have at home now to assist me, this can range from walking sticks to wheelchairs and other items. I dont anticipate that going down sadly, Parkinsons is a degenerative disease and over time it is likely I will need more equipment not less.  

Meanwhile, the amount of different teams, departments and people that provide assistance and support to my recovery in the NHS is huge! I can think of at least 8 different departments/consultants that I work with on a regular basis.

The one thing I have noticed though is my mind is still sharp. I can still do technical tasks, learn new things and retain information. Some highlights include implementing a Linux BASH script to backup a Docker host  -  the containers, images, volumes, network settings etc - and restore them back again to the same or different server from a backup device. In the process of writing this, I learnt a lot about advanced BASH scripting and how to Backing up a PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Prometheus or Hashicorp Vault data storage volumes in the correct fashion.

I have also spent time in between my exercises, and physiotherapy sessions,  using my advanced Docker knowledge to provision various containers on my Raspberry Pi - "Self hosting" various tools and servers that I wish to use and learn. Gaining experience in PostgreSQL databases, Traefik Proxy, Forgejo, Monitoring and many other things - to keep my brain "active" as well as my body. Keeping your brain active is just as important as keeping the body active if you have Parkinsons - I have also developed a liking for the Channel 4 Quiz show "Countdown" which also helps keep the brain active! 

I will end this update by saying, my son David, is undertaking a Sponsored Cycle ride in Oxford, in support of Parkinsons UK. Please consider sponsoring him here https://www.justgiving.com/page/david-crocker-1714896482031 and Dont forget to Gift Aid your donation if your a UK Taxpayer. Thankyou. #ParkinsonsUK #Parkinsons #Health