Welcome to My Journey
Figured I’d better get up off my butt (so to speak; I actually am not able to get up off my butt) and start this blog while I can still type. It’s been bubbling around in my head for a long time but I tend not to get around to things. But for me it’s now or never.
Almost 18 months ago I was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. If you want the gruesome details about what ALS is and what it does you can visit one of the ALS sites listed in my blogroll. Suffice it to say, this disease sucks. Nobody knows what causes it or how to treat it. There is no cure. It just sucks the life out of your body until you can’t move, eat or breathe. Plus it comes with all kinds of whack side effects…crazy stuff like excessive yawning, uncontrollable laughter, dandruff, etc.
To add to the fun I have three children (12, 8 and 6 when I was diagnosed) so I am trying to be a good parent while dealing with my disease and preparing my family for what is to come.
I hope this blog will help me vent, make you laugh, raise awareness about ALS and give my friends who ask how I’m doing a place to keep tabs on me. Join me on my journey!
Nancy said,
April 7, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Jen, you are inspiring and hilarious. I’ve never read something that made me laugh and cry at the same time so much! I really enjoy reading about your journey.
TINA KOOPERSMITH said,
April 23, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Jen –i pieced together your diagnosis from facebook tidbits, but it was confirmed by beth owen back at DUKE for my 25th reunion. cant believe it was 29 years ago that i left NY and went to DUKE. where has the time gone. My good friend here in LA, her brother in law is also fighting ALS so i get to see first hand the difficulties of the disease. My son’s baseball team played in an ALS tournie two years ago and I will encourage them to do it again to raise money for your cause. I feel for you and will do all in my power to bring you smiles and laughs and make life a bit better for you, Zeta love/ DUKE love/My love–tina koopersmith
Jim Reynolds said,
May 13, 2010 at 10:45 am
Jen Each month , Your father in law go to a continuing ed meeting together, I can keep up on your condition and pray for you,My aunt Died with ALS, My thoughts and prayers will continue.
If you would like me to e-mail you some ,let me know
Mitzi Lancaster said,
May 20, 2010 at 10:41 am
Hi Jen. I am Sylvia Frisby’s mother. I too have ALS. Mine started in my vocal cords. I can still walk short distances and eat real food. I enjoyed reading your blog. I’m glad you can have a sense of humor about this horrible disease. Sylvia was here in Dallas for Mother’s Day. A real treat for me. I’ll be following your blog and keeping you in my prayers.