Not a good month

I know it's been awhile. After my Brother Greg lost his hard fought two and a half battle with cancer, I didn't and still don't feel like posting. His blog was beautifully written. I miss our emails since I can't talk. As sick as he was, he always showed concern for me. Thanks to my other Brother, Alan, I got to see Greg a week before he passed. Then Sunday I was in the hospital with pneumonia, which is where I was when Greg went to Heaven. I think about him and Yvonne every day, and remember them in my prayers. Yes his donor gave the gift of more time, to her I'm grateful Cathy

Ski to defeat ALS

Many thanks to my brother Alan who came all the way from Chadron, NE,to ski in the Ski to defeat ALS, and to all who donated! It was a gorgeous day without a cloud in the sky. I've never been to Mt. Hood Meadows. Thanks again!

He is Risen!

Thank you Jesus for taking all my sins to the cross. He is risen!
Happy Easter

Biogen Idec seeks $1b payoff from solving Lou Gehrig puzzle

Biogen Idec seeks $1b payoff from solving Lou Gehrig puzzle

care givers

Les and I know that there will come a point when I need someone here to help me when he's a work. I'm delaying that as long as possible! So far I've been able to be on my own, but as ALS effects my hands, arms and lastly my legs we are going to have to hire someone to help. I am not there yet, but Les and need to be prepared. I dread that process, how do you find someone you can trust. Plus the thought of a person here all day doesn't sit well with me. Well I'll have to adjust if we get there. I've adjusted to so many changes.
God will see us through this part of our journey as he is in control. It won't be long till Esster is here, Jesus paid the ultimate price for my sins and God loves us all.

Dad

Dad I'm so glad you made it through the heart by pass and you are out of the hospital. Me and a lot of people were praying for you. Thank you Alice for getting Dad to the hospital swiftly. I love you two!

Blaze

Just some cute pictures

cbs story

http://youtu.be/YpCdrO5bu24
A very good story on cbs evening news about a man in Corbett, Or. with als. You Tube won't let me emebed it so here's the link. It had Les and I crying, but I think sometimes we need to let it out. It's a heartwarming story.

It's been awhile

I know I don't post as often as I used to. The last few years have been the most difficult I have ever experienced. Each time I'd lose things I used to take for granted, talking, eating. Each time i'd try to adapt. I know this journey is all part of God's plan. For a long time I had full strength in my arms and handsome but that isn't the case anymore. I can't stand the thought of depending on another person to do things for me, but I'm lucky to have Les. I try to take it day by day as Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow. One saving grace is so far there's no physical pain. But being short of breath is scary. Along with the this disease there has been a wedding and improved relationships. I try to focus on the things i can enjoy, if I didn't I'd lose my mind! I just ask God to give me the strength I need to handle what's ahead.
Thanks to out of state family for coming to
see us, it was good to see you all!

Christmas

Had a good Christmas Eve,
Sean and Alicia came over with gifts for me and for Blaze. Then we all went to the 7 pm service at New Hope, even Ryan went. Also Sean cooked dinner for everyone. Very nice. I'll add more Christmas Day as we have Denise and Warren coming over and Sean and Alicia back later in the day. Les is cooking a Ham and we are going to Church again at 11 am.
Christmas Day was very nice, started out with Church at 11, then home where Les prepared a Ham and all the fixin's. His sister Denise and her husband Warren were her, as well as Ryan, then later Sean and Alicia. Sean's Mom sent us gifts and again I felt bad because I didn't know she was getting us something and I didn't get her anything.
I am blessed with a great family! Now the day is a memory and Blaze and I are together on the sofa.

Saying Goodye

Last night we had to say goodbye to our companion of almost 18 years, Puff. We we're at the point where the best thing for her was to let her rest. She tired so hard to keep going. It's a strange feeling getting up this morning and she's gone. The Doxie puppy entered our lives about three weeks ago, after saying no more dogs we have nnother. These pics were taken a fews years ago when she was still healthy. Les took her up and had me stay home. He said they gave hera shot first and she went to sleep. I was having a hard time taking care of two dogs with my disease. We have lot's of pictures and good memories of her!

Puppies

I had quite a surprise this weekend! Sean and Alicia brought me a long hair daschund puppy. They thought he would be good company for me during the day. I know their hearts are in the right place, Les and I need to decide if we want the commitment. I think Les already knows the answer, he loves the little guy. We had always said no more dogs, now I have a puppy on the couch! If we decide no Sean's step mom said she'd take him, they already have 6 or 7 daschund's! here's a pic, someone help me decide what to do!

Birthdays

I want to thank all my family for the wonderful gifts and cards. I felt like a child unwrapping packages and reading cards. Dad and Alice, the flowers are beautiful and the bear is so cute! Thanks for the card, too. Les will enjoy the chocolates. Greg your card was very sweet and so was your recent visit. And Mary you always find the coolest things, I have the thick crocheted slippers on as I type this. I needed some ones that fit and these do! And I'll enjoy the olive oil soap when I sit in the tub, and the Ricky Nelson cd also. We just got home from LaPine where Marsha gave a me a snuggy and Les's dad got me gloves. Guess I'll be warm and cozy. We spent the afternoon at South Twin Lake which is about 20 miles from Les's Dad's place. It's very pretty there.
I'll admit I've been a little down lately, but the kindness of family and friends has lifted my spirits. Looking forward to spending thanksgiving with my brother Greg and his family.

The Walk

My second year walking the walk to defeat ALS was a success. We got a late start driving downtown, so no we didn't meet Fred Noble yet. Maybe there will another opportunity. For sure I will see him when Alan comes for the ski event in April. Alicia and Sean joined us, and we had rain and sun. There were at least three thousand walkers there today. I get choked up just thinking about it all.

Oktober Fest

We we're leaving Church, it was pouring down rain and i recieved a text from Alicia "Hey, wanna go to the Oktoberfest with your grand weenies and watch the wiener races?" I said "yes!" Les thought I was crazy because of the rain. We got to Mt. Angel and the Sun came out and stayed. Never make plans in Oregon by how the weather is at that moment, it can change! We had fun and got to meet Hunk and Sadie's Dad, KIngston. He's just as gentle and sweet as they are. kids were swarming us wanting to pet them, the dogs like everybody. we didn't race them but wtached a few races. it was good to get out and do something fun.

Hunk, Sadie and their dad, Kingston!

Fall Wow

Today les and I have been married 26 years. Wow where did the time ago? And it was the start of Fall Wow (women of the word) we ate starting with the gospel of John. Fewer questions in the workbook and more of our own thoughts and insights. I invited my Sister in law Denise a few years ago because she needed some women in her life to talk and pray with. She loves it and never misses a single week. She's made some really good friends there. It's starting to feel like Fall here, though we never really had a true Summer. Dad and Alice were here and we had a good time together. My illness has brought us all closer, I think.

Live laugh love

I read the most beautiful tribute on the ALS forum this morning, I thought I'd share part of it. Its from a woman who just lost her husband to als. So here it is:
Continue your love and devotion try to patient  enjoy every moment with your loved ones ,do as much as possible and appreciate all that person has given you and the joy and happiness that person has given You for the time you have known them.
She a talking about making the most of the time they had left. Wether we have one day or a thousand.

Breakthrough could lead to effective treatment for ALS

Breakthrough could lead to effective treatment for ALS
Click on link above to read the full story
A visit to my Neurologist today showed I'm stable which is good news. I could stay that way for months, it's different for each person. Some people I've read about stayed the same for years. I must have a slow progression. Some people are gone in a year. I feel fortunate.

Very exciting news this week for ALS patients. I hope it pans out. It's been a very tough disease for science to understand. It all has to do with a certain protein and it's not cleaning or recycling the "crap" inside the cells of the spinal cord and brain (sorry for not using the correct word) so it builds up and over time destroys the neurons. No reason given why this happens, maybe they don't know yet. The human body is such a wonderful yet complex creation, something so tiny as a cell can wreak such havoc. That's why i'm walking in September's walk to defeat ALS. Some of the money raised goes to research. I would love to see treatments that could extend my life or even better a cure. Of mankind wasn't so busy thinking of ways to kill each other, that energy could be re focused on curing diseases such as ALS, cancer, there are too many to list.

Utah and family

We had a great trip to Utah to see Dad and Alice. Greg and Yvonne were there but had to cut out the rest of their trip as Greg's cancer may be back. He tried so hard to make the time enjoyable while we were there. He's a very strong person. I did ok on the trip, I even drove some to give Les a break but pulled over when my hands gOt tired. I will post pictures later, today we are wiener sitting and Hunk insists on being in or near my lap, I don't mind as we are buddies. Pray for Greg this week that he will get better news on his cancer.

Alicia and Sean's Wedding

It was a gorgeous day in a beautiful setting to celebrate the marraige of our daughter Alicia to Sean Duhamel. it was hard to hold back the tears as the music began and her Dad walked our beautiful daughter down rhe aisle. Our family just grew some!

Les Walking Alicia down the aisle

Saying their vows

Father-Daughter dance