Fulfilling a purpose - Tincy's story
43-year-old Tincy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 2 years ago. Originally from Kerala in India, she now works as a nurse in Norfolk, and shares her story here.
“One night l was walking down a corridor at work and noticed my right foot was slapping the ground,” Tincy remembers. “A few times, I lifted my shoe to check if something was stuck.”
Another time, a colleague noticed this and asked her to get it checked out. Tincy recalls: “By now I was experiencing a tremor in my right hand. For example, at church I could see that the prayer card in my hand was shaking. So I was very aware something was happening.”
The penny drops
“I was reading the BBC website one day and came across an article about Paul Sinha from The Chase. Afterwards I visited his blog where he described his Parkinson’s symptoms. That’s when the penny dropped.”
Eventually, Tincy had a DATscan, which confirmed Parkinson’s. Her neurologist shared the news with her over the phone at work.
“At the start, I never thought it would be Parkinson’s, but by this point, I knew the diagnosis was coming,” Tincy remembers. “He asked if I wanted to ask anything, but at that moment, I just had to accept what he told me.”
My sister is also a nurse and is particularly supportive. About 5 years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and I was her positivity during her treatment. Now we comfort each other.
Sharing the news
The first person Tincy told about her diagnosis was her matron. “I put the phone down, turned around and she was right in front of me. We went into the office and I told her everything. Her words were very comforting.”
The neurology specialist nurse, who came to review a patient in the ward, was also very supportive. “She explained this was not the end of my world or career,” says Tincy. “At that moment, I didn’t let it worry me and I decided to fight it.
“The next morning, I shared the news with my husband. He was really shocked and speechless. It’s been a journey for the both of us, but we are getting there.”
Finally, after telling her husband’s family who are in the UK, Tincy spoke to her siblings in India. “My sister is also a nurse and is particularly supportive,” says Tincy. “About five years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and I was her positivity during her treatment. Now we comfort each other.”
I worry I will slow down if I move wards. I enjoy the challenge and I’m lucky my day-to-day work has never been affected.
Keeping busy
“I love nursing and I love my job,” enthuses Tincy. “But I was worried that my symptoms would affect my clinical skills.”
As a senior nurse, Tincy is often called upon to insert cannulas in patients, a small hollow flexible plastic tube inserted into a vein using the tip of a fine needle. “The first time I was asked to do one after my diagnosis, I told the doctor I would try once and if I couldn’t do it, they would need to get someone else - I did it, first time! It immediately built my confidence.
“The ward I work on is a very busy one and someone did ask me if I was going to transfer. I like the fast-paced nature of the ward I work on though,” admits Tincy. “I worry I will slow down if I move wards. I enjoy the challenge and I’m lucky my day-to-day work has never been affected.
“I’ve been nursing for over 20 years and have seen patients with advanced Parkinson’s. Sometimes I think, ‘One day, that could be me.’” admits Tincy. “But I’m lucky not to have any problems at the moment. Those thoughts can wait - I have the time now so let me get on with it while I can.”
Having a purpose
Beyond her daily duties, Tincy has been helping raise awareness about the importance of getting medication on time for Parkinson’s patients in her hospital. “After being diagnosed, I read through the Parkinson’s UK Get it on Time report and realised I could help educate colleagues.
“Working with our ward’s clinical nurse educator, we now have a presentation that I’ve been giving to staff to ensure the right policies are in place and are being used.
“Whenever our family goes through hardship, my mum always says you may not understand why now, but God always has a purpose. So maybe now this mine - to support others and raise awareness of Parkinson’s.”