Wednesday 1 April 2020
“Shall we FaceTime?” I
asked.
Rachel sounded
surprised at my suggestion. I continued:
“It will be much
better if we can see each other. You might even be able to do some clinical
tests.”
After some faffing we
managed to connect and we both spontaneously did that most human of things: we
gave each other big smiles.
“That’s much better,
isn’t it?” I concluded.
I had received a
letter informing me that my six-monthly neurology appointment would be by phone
because of the coronavirus. It had actually been a year since I had seen
Rachel as, on my last
visit, I had seen The
Professor. Rachel is one of his research team, and seemingly the person
looking at my family case.
The conversation was
friendly enough but routine. I told her that I felt I could stay on the same
medication, with the levodopa tablets giving me the flexibility I need with my Parkinson’s:
although I am prescribed three tablets a day, I sometimes take just one or two
and, at other times take four or even five depending on the ebb and flow of the
condition. Rachel said this was fine, and that I should be guided by how I
feel.
There was not much
news about my genetic analysis. She said they ideally need DNA samples from
more family members to help isolate the faulty gene(s). My mother (who has
Parkinson’s) and her brother (who doesn’t have Parkinson’s) have both given
samples, but I now need to encourage my sister (two years younger, no signs yet
of Parkinson’s) to donate her DNA to medical science as well.
After a convivial half
hour, we concluded with some basic clinical tests, primarily some simple finger
tapping, which were actually quite effective over the phone camera. I will see
her again in September. Perhaps in person, but I suspect by FaceTime again.
It’s surprising how we
have all adjusted so quickly to the new normal of living in isolation and communicating
via video links. Like millions of other
people, I now have a mini office set up at home and spend a good chunk of my
working day talking to other people on a screen.
I’m really very
fortunate: I still have a good job, I get to sit in the comfort of my own home all
day, eat and drink well, exercise, and I am able take a rest whenever I need
it. Clara and I are “staying safe”.
I find myself thinking
about the million people across the world who now have a confirmed diagnosis of
covid-19. They are also doing most of their communication via a screen and
video camera.
Sadly, some of them
won’t ever get to see their loved ones in the flesh again.