I know a lot of people probably think I gave up on this site and to tell you the truth, it's been a battle for me to come and update it.
I went to my als clinic today and got good news and not so good news. My breathing score has gone up nicely which is something that anyone with als watches closely. On the other hand I have lost a lot of the strength in my arms and hands. My legs are also growing weaker with time.
What do I have to say about all of this. I say "praise god and bring it on." I have had the use of my hands, arms and legs for 49 years and am thankful for every time I've been able to pick up, swing, walk or other wise use my strengths.
I went into the place of business today with a chip on my shoulder and the thought in my mind that I would have trouble cancelling a contract to a health club. They wouldn't let me do it over the phone and wouldn't accept a fax so I had to go in person.
I was upset and more than a little angry that they would not allow me to do the business over the phone or fax. Once again I wanted to do something and I was upset because I couldn't do it. If you look in the previous sentence you might figure out real fast why things didn't work. The word I was used three times and God wasn't mentioned.
Turns out that the man I talked to had lost his sister to als. When he found out that I also had the disease, he not only made things very easy but also gave my wife and I a membership through the insurance companies so I could come in and use the pool or any of the facilities that we needed. He is a christian man and we had a wonderful uplifting conversation right there in the health club lobby.
We brought up the fact that I have trouble dressing myself and he made special arrangements so I could have help with anything that I needed.
Now, lets see what I learned today. I learned, once again, not to question the way things happen. God has a plan and when he puts it into action we need to follow it. Satin was sure riding my shoulders when I went into the health club and, once again he was knocked to the side so I could learn another lesson in faith.
Note: There is a big controversy going on at this time across this nation. The controversy is over the use of stem cells to treat people with diseases such as I have.
After carefully previewing the legislation and feeling that it will not lead to the use of stem cells from abortions I ask that you contact your representatives and ask them to vote for the legislation.
If I felt that this would lead to the use of stem cells from abortions I would be totally against it.
Please check out the legislation for yourself and make a decision one way or the other. There are hundreds of thousands of people who could benefit from this research and it needs a few more representatives to vote for it in order to override a promised veto by President Bush.
OK folks. Who's been out there praying for me to feel better. A lot of you I know, so I need to share this with you.
I went to bed tonight at 11:00. I was tired and have been weak all day long. I was so weak that I could not pick up a glass of milk with my left hand at dinner time.
I was asleep when I woke suddenly feeling really strange in my arms. This was a little scary to tell you the truth as I have been having the muscles twitch all day and that is usually a sign of more nerves dieing.
This time it felt different. It felt like strength was coming back into my arms. I did a couple coordination moves with my fingers and, for the first time in a week, I could do them.
I called Joan into the room and about scared her to death when I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. She couldn't believe the strength of the squeeze.
Getting out of bed I was able to dress myself in jeans without problems. That is the first time in a couple of weeks that I have even been able to button jeans.
Going into the kitchen I reached out and was able to pick up a jar of spaghetti sauce. Then I was able to pick up a full 2 liter coke bottle with my left hand.
Joan told me that right before I woke up, she had been praying for God to make me feel better. Guess what? It worked! :)
Keep those prayers coming and praise God for his blessings.
Although I have not kept the strength that I felt a few nights ago I am still feeling better than I was. I am still able to pick up a glass of milk with my left hand and button my jeans. I have also been able to walk and stand for longer periods of time without getting exhausted.
I started Physical Therapy this week and am being fitted for braces for my hands and legs. I will have to wear the leg braces when I get tired in order to walk properly. Praise God that people have been granted the knowledge and abilities to make the braces.
The grandchildren visited this past weekend and we had a great time. Randy, Craig, Scott, Matt, and Will started on the ramp for the house. They did a wonderful job and have finished the hardest part. We will have to wait until the weather cooperates again to finish it.
I thank God daily for my family and friends.
I want to ask for special prayers for Ruth. She is needing the prayers of all to beat an illness. This was mentioned before and, once again the doctors are not optomistic.
Remember to look for the blessings of life each and every day and priase God for the good things in life.