A Brief Journey and Battle with ALS
My life was an interesting journey. It included some unexpected twists and turns, a very long and steep learning curve at times, more than a few wonderful adventures, some long lasting joys, and a handful of events I would rather not repeat.
Unexpected twists and turns?
A few. OK, perhaps more than a few.
I learned that one can argue any side … Read More »
Most people don’t know what to say to someone who comes down with a deadly disease. Keep it simple. If you don’t know what to say, or, if you’re afraid you might say the wrong thing, try this:
How are you doing?
That’s a good start.
When friends or family ask me “How are you doing?” I answer as simply as possible.
I ain’t dead … Read More »
Humans can be afflicted with many diseases during a lifetime. From the common cold or flu to debilitating neuromuscular diseases to a variety of cancers. Sometimes it is wonderful that many of us can live a healthy life.
I have a rare version of ALS. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. What is it?
ALS… is a progressive nervous system … Read More »
Humans begin dying when we are born. For most of us, the process of dying is rather slow. That explains why life expectancy in developed nations has risen into the 70s.
Yes, some of us die before our time while others live far longer than expected.
Life is that way; weird sometimes, right?
My life expectancy was not quite 70 years when I was … Read More »
A slow motion journey toward death is an interesting situation. Once the diagnosis was made— respiratory onset ALS— we started looking for ways to prolong life.
Easier said than done.
The first step was an alert VA pulmonologist who knew the problem and had an immediate solution. A non-invasive mechanical ventilator (NIV). Respiratory … Read More »
All of us experience death. As we age, that experience comes to us in different ways. Yes, we all know we’re dying. Slowly and without much consideration. Some of us just had a head start. We may experience death with family members, friends, or neighbors and how those deaths come will vary.
Dying slowly means there is time to reflect … Read More »
Every minute of every day contains the same amount of time. 60 seconds. 60 minutes in an hour. 24 hours in a day. All those slices of time are the same, right?
If so, then why is it that some days seem to go by so much faster than others?
That concern can be especially perplexing if a day goes by quickly and yet nothing substantial or memorable … Read More »
All of us are dying. Oddly, the process of dying seems to begin at birth. That means all members of humanity are dying but all are dying at different rates. A few of us die instantly, others die slowly as we age, but the rate of death generally varies based on age, ailment, and circumstance.
In some ways I am dying quickly. In other ways … Read More »
How many ways can a person die? Categories matter. Quickly. Slowly. Old age and natural causes. An accident. A disease. Or, various combinations.
In some ways, ALS is death in slow motion.
Step by step, day by day, muscle group by muscle group, the body slowly dies. Sometimes in a few years. That seems fast. Sometimes in a few decades. Not … Read More »
What could be worse than dying? Most people die of an ailment or two. Or, three. Old age tends to collect various and sundry ailments and none of them are anything to look forward to.
ALS is a debilitating neurological disease that always ends the same way.
Death.
So, how could it be worse?
Slowly, steadily, inexorably, nerves become damaged … Read More »