Tedstehr
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2017
- Messages
- 199
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 08/2017
- Country
- CA
- State
- BC
- City
- New Westminster
In January, I went for a walk when I was in Chicago for work. I was alarmed to feel my right foot drop as I walked. Nowhere in my imagination did I think it would be ALS. I got a neurologist appointment and he did some tests and sent me for first a neck and then head MRI. The report stated that there was suspicion of ALS. At that moment, because of my symptoms I knew I had ALS and, as we do, I went in to shock and immediately talked to my wife and kids about it and I cried. But, my hopeless optimism kicked in and I thought maybe I had neurosyphilis or heavy metal poisoning.
Yesterday, I went to the ALS clinic in Vancouver and the needle EMG verified lower motor neuron involvement and that I did have ALS. I can brag that I took it well as I had already gone through my shock earlier.
So here I sit, contemplating my new reality. Not knowing how this disease will progress and knowing that no one can tell me.
But here is what I do know. I had a troubled childhood and young adulthood. But for the last 25 years I have had the best life I could imagine. A wonderful, strong and beautiful wife, three incredible, engaged children, a loving mother and sister and a meaningful and fulfilling career with incredible co-workers. I have been paid enough to never want for anything, to be able to support my family and even own a beautiful heritage home in Vancouver. My life has been so blessed that I can't believe I didn't spend every minute marvelling at my luck.
I also realize I could have had a massive heart attack rather than foot drop and I would have never had a chance to tell my family how much I love them (and show them too.) So the time I have left now is "bonus time." I will spend my time being the person I should have been. Not selfish, impatient or judgemental. I will respect the time I have left and not squander it as if I expected it to last forever.
Thank you for being here and welcoming a stranger in need.
Yesterday, I went to the ALS clinic in Vancouver and the needle EMG verified lower motor neuron involvement and that I did have ALS. I can brag that I took it well as I had already gone through my shock earlier.
So here I sit, contemplating my new reality. Not knowing how this disease will progress and knowing that no one can tell me.
But here is what I do know. I had a troubled childhood and young adulthood. But for the last 25 years I have had the best life I could imagine. A wonderful, strong and beautiful wife, three incredible, engaged children, a loving mother and sister and a meaningful and fulfilling career with incredible co-workers. I have been paid enough to never want for anything, to be able to support my family and even own a beautiful heritage home in Vancouver. My life has been so blessed that I can't believe I didn't spend every minute marvelling at my luck.
I also realize I could have had a massive heart attack rather than foot drop and I would have never had a chance to tell my family how much I love them (and show them too.) So the time I have left now is "bonus time." I will spend my time being the person I should have been. Not selfish, impatient or judgemental. I will respect the time I have left and not squander it as if I expected it to last forever.
Thank you for being here and welcoming a stranger in need.