Sunday, April 22, 2012

New beginnings

Hello, All;

I have been absent for months due to my own family issues, but back now and focused on my beloved "T".

Let me bring you up to date since my last post...."T" continues to be an avid runner, there is nothing that will come between she and the road.  However, her speech continues to waver and she is becoming increasingly aware of how she is percieved.  Embarrassed, as she might say.  We never have any misunderstanding.  True friends don't need words, I tell her, and I believe that.  But, I worry endlessly about my very dear friend. Once the rock to me, now the tide has changed.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

A friend's journey with ALS: It's just the beginning.

A friend's journey with ALS: It's just the beginning.: I have a very dear friend who within the last three months was diagnosed with Bulbar ALS. It will be my attempt through this blog to help m...

A friend's journey with ALS: The "Announcement"

A friend's journey with ALS: The "Announcement": Although I've known for about a month that "T's" diagnosis is real, she has decided to have a get together with only close friends who didn'...

A friend's journey with ALS: The "Announcement"

A friend's journey with ALS: The "Announcement": Although I've known for about a month that "T's" diagnosis is real, she has decided to have a get together with only close friends who didn'...

The "Announcement"

Although I've known for about a month that "T's" diagnosis is real, she has decided to have a get together with only close friends who didn't know about her new diagnosis.

  I didn't know how I felt about this "coming-out" if you will.  Many people face grim illness and very few if any that I've known, rarely choose to publicly announce it.  This is how strong and determined "T" is.

Once the whole group of about 25 were gathered, drinks in hand and music in the backround, and with her husband at her side, she began to speak.  She stood stoic, explaining her road thus far, asked us to pray for her young son of only 16 years, her husband, and lastly for herself.  As she spoke, I looked around the room, I saw much love and heartfelt concern for my dear friend.  Once done speaking (and this was not a good day for her speech) she thanked each and everyone of us for our continued support, prayers, and for our love for her and her family.

What I thought would have been a very solemn night, quickly turned into a celebration of all of our friendships with "T", her husband, and her family.  We danced the night away and never looked back...It was a beautiful night

Saturday, November 12, 2011

It's just the beginning.

I have a very dear friend who within the last three months was diagnosed with Bulbar ALS.  It will be my attempt through this blog to help me understand this disease, how she will fight the fight, and succeed in doing so. 

My friend noticed her speech was off about 9 months ago.  Didn't think too much of it, thought maybe she was stressed, not taking care of herself, etc.  After about a month, and not seeing any change,  she started doing some research on her own.  Sometimes not the best avenue to take because a little information can be dangerous. She fell upon ALS.  This is where her journey begins.