The story of love and the challenges faced after a profound medical diagnosis
The book cover of "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" by Maggie Anderson.
What would you do if a loved someone who was diagnosed with an incurable, progressive disease? A loved one who had spent his whole life being extremely active and engaged with the outdoors? Maggie was faced with those questions when, in the fall of 2002, her husband, Rockey, was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s Disease. Rockey was just 50 years old.
Maggie Anderson’s first book is about her husband’s life-altering diagnosis and the years afterward.
In this must-read title, she is open about the good times and the fiercely challenging years they experienced. You’ll follow Maggie and Rockey through their tumultuous experiences and events that were their lives, post-Parkinson’s diagnosis.
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The definition of Parkinson’s includes phrases like, “Degenerative condition of the brain;” “Tremors;” “Loss of muscle control;” “Problems with balance;” “Movements that are slowed;” “Muscle rigidity;” “Masking;” “Hallucinations;” “Soft voice;” “Cognitive issues;” “Depression;” and “Dementia.” Some forms of Parkinson’s can be inherited, and some are idiopathic, meaning the medical community doesn’t yet know the root cause.
Rockey Goertz was a hard-charging man who owned successful construction companies with his business partner, Tim. Maggie and Rockey owned a huge farm in Minnesota, and managed all facets of it. Rockey loved packing on horseback into the back country and mountains of Montana. He loved hunting, skiing, snowboarding, and riding his Harley. Together, he and Maggie built a life around this active lifestyle.
Something changed in February 2002.
A fall, while snowboarding with his sons at Big Sky, Montana, reminded Maggie that Rockey had fallen several times in recent months. Then, Rockey’s left thumb started to twitch. Several months later, Rockey and Maggie were given the news.
After taking some time to absorb his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Rockey became determined that he would not just sit back and let the disease take its course. He would just speed up his and Maggie’s plans for the future. Those plans included buying property in their beloved Montana.
In 2005, Rockey and Maggie finally bought acreage in Montana’s Gallatin Gateway, sold their farm in Minnesota, and began making The Treasure State their new home. Rockey’s tremors became worse and, during a trip back to Minnesota, he and Maggie found out about a stem cell therapy program in Russia. So began their quest to stem the tide of the effects of Parkinson’s. Unfortunately, the treatments did not help. In fact, they may have made things worse, down the road.
Maggie weaves the story of their struggles to attain the treatments, medications and care that Rockey needed along the way. Near-constant delays, caused by medical personnel, insurance and schedules issues caused distress and physical agony for Rockey. Instances of callousness on the part of several doctors only added to Maggie’s and Rockey’s anguish.
Through it all, Maggie was a steadfast companion and champion for Rockey. She never gave up on him and always did her best to provide Rockey with the best care and quality of life, despite the ravages of Parkinson’s and the unfortunate toll they took on Rockey’s physical, cognitive, and emotional health.
This memoir is a testament to the strength of love, even in its darkest hours.
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