The lead neurologist at Mayo Clinic presented his test results in a simple and straightforward manner.

This looks like ALS. It would be good to get your affairs in order.

In simpler terms, “You’re going to die, but you have some time to prepare.”

Indeed.

How much time?

Within a few months after we returned from Mayo Clinic the COVID pandemic altered how we live. Restaurants and retail businesses were closed, people were required not to congregate and needed to wear masks and gloves in public.

Life changed. Mine, too.

Despite the pandemic, it was necessary to continue to seek medical care and support, and prepare for what would become a life much shorter than expected just a few months earlier. Instead of looking for a cure, we were forced to look for care to help minimize ongoing and growing discomfort; to care for symptoms.

The scope of affairs that needed to be put in order changed quickly as COVID swept across the country.

No travel. No vacations. No dining out. No shopping trips. No planning for a long retirement. My father’s retirement lasted over 20 years. I retired in January.

Even a visit to the grocery store could become a deadly experience as many in the community decided to exercise their right not to wear a mask instead of exercising their need to consider precautions as an option to benefit their lives and the lives of others.

For us, getting our affairs in order did not require as much as we expected initially. There just wasn’t much we could do other than sit back and wait.

We’re still waiting.