Many of my friends have been encouraging me for a long time to start blogging, and I have finally given in and begun. An opening post is quite an intimidating thing to write as it sets the tone for the posts to follow. It will also determine if readers will be interested in reading future posts. I will try to keep it short, honest and readable. Then you can decide for yourself if you want to read further.
I am an American, living in South Africa since 1988. However, it is the period from 31 July 2006 to the present that I want to make the focus of this blog. That was the date that I was first diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND), or, as it is known in the USA, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I had never heard of either name, but when the neurologist said, “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” my memory blazed into action. “I’ve heard of that before. But didn’t Lou Gehrig die from that disease?!” “Yes,” my wife, Nicky, and I were told, “on average, MND patients die within 2 – 5 years of diagnosis.” Immediately my morbid sense of humour kicked in, “Then couldn’t you have delayed your diagnosis for about 20 years?” Many MND patients do live a lot longer I discovered when, like any internet junkie, I went home and Googled it. I won’t go into details here. If you want more info, you can do the same (if you haven’t already).
Our journey includes many different aspects—physical, spiritual, emotional, relational. In the weeks that follow, I will do my best to include you in all aspects of this journey. I welcome comments and questions along the way, and I will do my best to respond honestly and quickly.
I am an American, living in South Africa since 1988. However, it is the period from 31 July 2006 to the present that I want to make the focus of this blog. That was the date that I was first diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND), or, as it is known in the USA, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I had never heard of either name, but when the neurologist said, “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” my memory blazed into action. “I’ve heard of that before. But didn’t Lou Gehrig die from that disease?!” “Yes,” my wife, Nicky, and I were told, “on average, MND patients die within 2 – 5 years of diagnosis.” Immediately my morbid sense of humour kicked in, “Then couldn’t you have delayed your diagnosis for about 20 years?” Many MND patients do live a lot longer I discovered when, like any internet junkie, I went home and Googled it. I won’t go into details here. If you want more info, you can do the same (if you haven’t already).
Our journey includes many different aspects—physical, spiritual, emotional, relational. In the weeks that follow, I will do my best to include you in all aspects of this journey. I welcome comments and questions along the way, and I will do my best to respond honestly and quickly.
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