May 2005

 

May is the ALS Awareness Month

 We can’t believe it has been two years since we have updated this.  We are so sorry. When Al was first diagnosed December 1999 our life stopped while we tried to figure out what we could do to fight this devastating illness.  Now that Al has survived so long we have rejoined the world, our life and can dream again.

 Al is doing OK.  His speech is really getting hard to understand.  But when he concentrates he can get the message across.  His arms and hands continue to get weaker.  He has cut back on driving.  The strength in his arms and grip in his hands become so weak he can’t keep his hands on the wheel.   He is still feeding himself but must chew very slowly so he doesn’t choke.  He is still taking care of his personal needs but I need to  help him get dressed.  He continues to putt around working on lobster buoys, his boat “The Haz”, getting wood for the wood stove, etc.  Luckily this all happens because of the help of his “hooks” which he uses for his hands and the help from family and friends.  He rests more often in the recliner in between projects. His legs are getting bad spasms in them now.  He takes quinine for this which seems to help. The cold is so hard on him.  He can hardly move his upper body.  We were fortunate to spend some time this winter in Louisiana with Al’s sister Janie and husband Jim (Tom).  The weather was around 60’s most of the time with a few 70 and 80’s.  Al did so much better in the warm climate.  He lives for hunting and lobstering.  That is what keeps him going with the help from wonderful family and friends so he can continue to do the things he loves. 

 Thank you, again, to all our family and friends for all their support, love and prayers.  You will never know how much this means to us and how much it helps us deal with this fatal illness.  We send all our love,  Gloria and Al