Kathy's ALS Blog

My Journey Since Being Diagnosed with ALS




   I was diagnosed with ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease
        in December 2005.  To read about my initial  
    diagnosis, please start by scrolling to the
                        bottom of this site.

 Feel free to submit a comment to me
whenever you visit this page.

 

       Thanks for stopping by!

March 25, 2006

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This entry was posted on 3/26/2006 7:51 PM and is filed under uncategorized.


Message From Kathy...

I took my Mom on a fundraiser for Relay for Life yesterday.  An early birthday gift.  We caught a bus at 8:30 am, with a lot of women from my agency.  We had a breakfast buffet at Marie Callenders.  Then went to Pike Place Market and spent 3+ hours there.  At 3:30 the bus picked us up and took us to the ACT Theatre where we saw "Menopause the Musical."  This is a very funny play.  Funny as it was it does explain symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause in a musical way.  On the bus ride home we showed the movie "Fireball."  This movie was made in 1948 (I think) and my Mom was in it.  She is one of the roller derby members.  She had to win races on her roller skates to get into the movie.  She told me 3 girls made it, one wasn't able to because she broke her shoulder and the other one's boyfriend wouldn't let her travel to Hollywood.  We got back to South Sound and went to Taco Time for dinner.  This day was wonderful and I am glad to spend time like this with my mother.

The reason I wanted to put this in here, is because my Mom shed tears several times during the day.  If she thought about me having ALS - saw me struggle doing something she cried.  I have told my family that this condition can cause many of us to be mildly depressed and that there is medication to help get by.  I have specifically told my Mom to talk to her doctor.  She told me at Taco Time, after another cry, she would talk to her doctor. 

I also explained to her that I really am doing fine right now.  I told her she taught me years ago that God only gives us what we can handle, and I am handling it.  I told her I think I am doing better than any of my family members.  It is very unfortunate that Mom had to lose her first child and I truly hope she doesn't have to lose her second.  However, if that does happen she needs to know I have had a wonderful life and I know she has loved me deeply.  I would like our family and friends to please help her through this.  Thank you!

 

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    • 3/27/2006 8:02 PM Anna wrote:
      Dear Kathy,

      My name is Anna and I work as a health/fitness instructor at St Peter Hospital (where Courtney takes aerobics). I just wanted to tell you how courageous you are for battling ALS with such a fierce spirit. I know that it must be incredibly difficult to face life each day. Thank you for being willing to share your story. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
      I also wanted to let you know that you have a wonderful daughter! She is so kind and I enjoy seeing her at aerobics. Take care and I will try to pass this blog on to others.

      Sincerely,
      Anna
      Reply to this
    • 3/28/2006 9:53 PM Cindy M wrote:
      hi Kathy!
      thank you for the e-mail about your life. i loved reading about you. this site is cool. i couldn't open it the other day so waited to try again. if i break my computer i'm screwed cuz i know nothing. my husband was the smart one. i am really impressed that you are still working full time. don't you sometimes just want to shuck it all and go to a warm beach? sit in the sun without a care? what do you do? manage claims? i worked at L & I a hundred years ago. wasn't there long so don't try to remember me. had to take yesterday afternoon off (in all that sun) to play with my grandson. his mom went for a root canal. we had a great time. he makes me laugh. i beat him at slug-bug. that's not easy cuz he cheats. he helped me load up at the grocery store on jello cups-big surprize. no one is home tonite except me, 2 cats and the dog. tv on for noise-how depressing-a show about the Hope Diamond is on and i likes diamonds. maybe i'll see it someday. i can dream. i am going to eat a chocolate fudge ice cream bar soon; no maybe i'll walk to Ralph's and get double coated malted milk balls-these are good. i watched Oprah yesterday about women's heart disease and o dear - before the show ended, i was on my bike for 40 minutes. what a lazy ass i have become. if i walk the 5 blocks to Ralph's though... naw, it's too dark and cold. any excuse will do. if i was supposed to write a certain way, please forgive me and instruct me for future comments. i can do it if i know the rules. guess that's why this is hard for me now-the rules state that if you work hard, you get paid and i want a different payoff.
      i am going to make chili for you and your family. it's my mom's recipe. i'll deliver it and we'll meet. then you can put a face with the stupid e-mails you get from me.
      if i can do anything else for you, say so. i'm willing and have time usually.
      take care, cindy if you get this twice it's cuz i'm computer illiterate
      Reply to this
    • 3/29/2006 12:26 PM Velvet Jauken wrote:
      Dear Aunt Kathy,

      I wanted to tell you that I love you very much. I have always felt a close connection with you. You have always been someone that I can talk to and know that you wont judge me or think ill of me.

      When I was told of your illness I cried very hard and it was hard to come to terms with. Every time I think of it I have to stop myself from crying.

      It was hard for me to call you because I didnt know the right words to say and I was scared. I had left you some messages on your machine.

      Today Courtney called me and told me about your web site and that you wanted her to talk to me because we would have trouble understanding each other if you had called me back. My quiet voice and your hearing and slurred speech (the last two words was hard to write, I just want to blot it out).

      Aunt Kathy, one of my favorite memories is when you took me to your work on Take your Daughter to work day, except I was your niece !! I had so much fun spending the day with you. Learning what you did there and eating lunch with you. I also remember the time when Courtney and you took me to a concert in Puyallup. I dont remember the actual band that played but it was fun!!! I know that it was a boy band!!

      Just know that I love you and if you need someone to talk to I am a good listener!!!

      Love your niece,

      Velvet
      Reply to this
    • 3/30/2006 9:12 AM Jo Wood wrote:
      My Dearest Daughter,

      This is to let you know you were a wonderful delight when you were born AND I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH. My heart is heavy with sorrow when there is nothing I can do to help. But I will always be there for you. Life is not always good but we need to thank God for all the wonderful times we have had together. And your brother is a jerk sometimes but he does LOVE you.  Just keep your head up and get through this one way or another. You know I always wanted a girl and God blessed me with the best. I LOVE YOU.
       
      MOM
      Reply to this
    • 5/9/2006 9:42 PM DiAnna Bohart wrote:
      Hi Kathy,

      I spoke with your daughter today at work. She said to me that God doesn't give you more than you can handle. I agree with her on that point. He also doesn't call us to a place that is not predestined by Him. God is all knowing, all powerful and all loving. He is there for us in our joy and our sorrow. This has also been a hard year for my family. We have been taken to the edge and back again. Yet through it all His Grace is sufficient. Mother's day is just around the corner and when I looked into your daughter's eyes today (as she spoke of you) I got the chance to see your greatest accomplishment. You have created a wonderful daughter. Your love shows in her. My prayer for you is that you will not focus on the illness you have, but on the promises you have to leave to your children and the relationship you have with Him. Only God knows when we are to take our last breath. He only asks that we know Him. That we spend our lives seeking Him. Know that there is a better place awaiting each of us. It is His will to heal you whether it is on this side of Heaven or in Paradise. Rest in Him.

      My prayers are with you and your family. God bless each of you.

      DiAnna
      Reply to this
    • 5/27/2006 11:07 AM Cindy Orr wrote:
      Dearest Kathy,

      Many prayers are being said on your behalf. Be sure of mine for you as well. Remember that you are in the palm of God's hand, and He can lead you to a safe and beautiful place. Fear not - He is strong and able to see you through any challenge. Rocky roads lead to the most beautiful places.

      I'm sure we will meet someday as I work with Courtney. Until then - May the Lord bless you and keep filled with His supernatural joy.

      Cindy Orr
      Reply to this
      1. 6/7/2006 7:14 PM Courtney wrote:

        Thank you so much for the beautiful comment, Cindy!!!  It has been a pleasure working with you!!

        - Courtney


        Reply to this
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