Coping with an Unexpected Diagnosis
- “Baywatch” star Mike Newman, 67, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006 after his wife first noticed his body shaking. He says he manages his symptoms with rigorous exercise. He was a star on the popular TV show from 1989 to 2000.
- Parkinson’s disease is “a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination,” according to the National Council on Aging. Symptoms for this chronic illness tend to worsen over time.
- Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between are valid.
- Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and managing stress are some of the things SurvivorNet experts recommend for cancer survivors to lead healthy lives. Getting regular checks for recurrence may also be recommended.
- One benefit of maintaining optimal health for those with cancer is they are more likely to endure treatment better and experience fewer side effects, MD Anderson’s Dr. Sairah Ahmed told SurvivorNet.
“Baywatch” star Mike Newman, 67, says everything changed when he realized his body’s slowdown was linked to the onset of Parkinson’s disease – a brain disorder causing uncontrollable movements. He struggled to share his diagnosis for more than a decade because he didn’t want to be seen as the guy with a disease.
Parkinson’s disease is an incurable “brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination,” according to the National Council on Aging. Symptoms for this chronic illness tend to worsen over time.
Newman’s friend Matt Felker said, “On land [Newman stumbles and trips], but you put him in the water, and the dude’s like Superman.”
Newman adds that Parkinson’s is a “slow burn,” and the symptoms “march forward so slowly that you barely notice that they’re changing.” He says his primary treatment is rigorous exercise.
The retired actor only began speaking publicly about his disease while working on a docuseries on Baywatch. He grew the courage to talk about his diagnosis in hopes it would help others also living with Parkinson’s.
“This may not help me…but it’s going to help someone down the road,” he said.
Helping Patients Cope with a Cancer Diagnosis
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
Symptoms start slowly, such as a barely noticeable tremor in one of your hands. In Parkinson’s disease, certain nerve cells in the brain gradually break down or die.
People 60 and older are at higher risk for Parkinson’s disease. People with a family history of the disease are also at higher risk. Other risk factors include ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides and the male gender.
Common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Tremors
- Slowed movement
- Rigid or stiffness in your muscles
- Impaired posture and balance
- Loss of automatic movements such as eye-blinking, smiling, or arm swinging while walking.
- Speech changes
- Writing changes
Newman Was Reluctant to Share His Diagnosis. When Is It Okay to Share?
Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches, and everything in between, are valid.
WATCH: Sharing a Diagnosis
“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explains.
Questions like “How much information should they share and with whom should they share the information?” are things Plutchik says patients take into consideration.
Dr. Plutchik explains, “There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”
A cancer journey can last months to years, which means cancer warriors may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when a cancer patient is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik further explained.
Dr. Plutchik stresses that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
Newman’s healthier lifestyle is what he attributes to managing his symptoms well. For cancer patients, there are many advantages to maintaining a healthy lifestyle during and after treatment. The general recommendations for a healthy lifestyle are similar whether you have cancer or not.
Dr. Ken Miller, the Director of Outpatient Oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, shared some guidelines for cancer survivors who are concerned about a recurrence with SurvivorNet:
- Exercise at least two hours a week, and walking counts.
- Eat a low-fat diet.
- Eat a colorful diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society recommends aiming for two to three cups of vibrant vegetables and fruits each day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that being obese can increase your risk for several types of cancer.
“The more physically fit you are going through your cancer treatment, the fewer side effects you’ll have and the faster you’ll get back to your normal quality of life,” Dr. Sairah Ahmed told SurvivorNet.
Dr. Ahmed is an associate professor in the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
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