Welcome to my blog. I have had ALS for 10 years now.


Since I started this blog in June 2008 I've had amazing feedback. Family, friends, people from all over North America, Australia, Scotland, England, and places I can't recall, have commented, encouraged and corresponded. I had no idea when Cynthia taught me how to set this up, how much I would love posting and how many people would read it. I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has helped propel this therapeutic exercise into a daily routine. All of you, both friends and visitors, are now part of my blog family. Welcome.

From Go Pro

From Go Pro
View from my living room

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Monday, December 19, 2011

Merry Christmas to all

Whistler
photo by M.G.

School chums


When I was 15 I went to St. Margaret's School in Victoria with Margaret and Cammy. When they visit me we recall all the laughs and good times we had--and the good times we are having now. It's great fun. It seems so long ago --and it was --50 years ago!!
Roses are Red my Love by Bobby Vinton and Chubby Checkers(The Twist) blared on the radio. We were carefree kids who had no idea what life had in store for us. We were fortunate to grow up in a country safe and peaceful--and families that loved us. We all count our blessings--and there are many.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

My party


I had a Christmas party and my hat sang and I danced. It took me 2 days to recover--but it was worth it.




Thursday, December 8, 2011

Is Santa here yet?

Friday, December 2, 2011

Click here

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Emily

"After a good book I need a nap," says Emily-- Anne's cat.

Monday, November 21, 2011


ALS Responds to Modified Parkinson Drug

By Kurt Ullman, Contributing Writer, MedPage Today
Published: November 20, 2011
Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco and
Dorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner
Click here to provide feedback
Action Points
  • Explain that patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) showed signs in a small study that an investigational agent derived from the Parkinson's disease drug pramipexole might slow the loss of muscle strength and function.


  • Note that treatment failures showed a significant dose-dependent relationship.

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, showed signs in a small dose-ranging study that an investigational agent derived from the Parkinson's disease drug pramipexole might slow the loss of muscle strength and function, researchers said.


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Malcolm

He is doing well and back in Kamloops at the Rehab ward. THANKS for all your concerns and prayers. He is walking with a walker and talking well. I expect he will be home for Christmas.

Now that's a close-up.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Remember the Granville St. photographers? Remember the hair?

This is Steven and Karyn out for an afternoon of shopping.
Oh to be that young again. Sigh---
Since some have been asking, yes it's me in the picture at 23 yrs., and Steven is about 5. Steve is the son of a good friend of mine. I always liked to buy him clothes...and he tolerated it well. Unfortunately, he recently died from secondary lung cancer.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Saturday, November 5, 2011

life

Andy Rooney on life



I've learned...

That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

That when you're in love, it shows.

That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

That being kind is more important than being right.

That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

I'm still alive and causing trouble.


Here I am with my friend Joyce at the new restaurant "Edible Canada" on Granville Island. Joyce had to feed me but no one around us seemed to care. As long as I can laugh I can live.
I devoured a full order of fish and chips.

Malcolm


Malcolm is recovering from his nightmare. He spoke to me on Tuesday!
He has a long way to go on his rehab journey but considering where he was 2 wks. ago--it's a miracle.


Thursday, October 27, 2011

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Is that my Grampa?

Monday, October 17, 2011

Do you feel like working today?
Me neither!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Update

Malcolm is doing better every day, but still in isolation in ICU.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Loss of a special man

Steve Mark David Griswold

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July 30, 1962 - Sept.5, 2011

Steve was predeceased by his father, Herbert Dwight Griswold. Left to mourn are his mother, Irene Griswold (Tom Newell), sister Brenda Griswold, aunt Vivien Swonnell, first cousin Mitzi Swonnell and many other relatives and friends. He suffered intense pain for three months with no diagnosis of cause. On August 22, secondary lung cancer was found. On September 4 he received palliative sedation and 10am the next day he was gone to be with the Lord. REJOICE. Memorial service will be on October 16th at 2:00PM at the First Baptist Church, Nelson and Burrard, Vancouver. Tea will be served following the service. Wheelchair accessible. Parking is available. In lieu of flowers Steve preferred you send a donation to the ALS Society in honour of his friend, Karyn.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Good news

My brother Malcolm, wiggled his toes, recognized Ken's voice, and squeezed Kathy's hand. We're feeling hopeful.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

update

Malcolm is still in an induced coma.
We are hoping for the best.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Malcolm in ICU

My baby brother is fighting for his life
in VGH ICU after complications following liver surgery.
PLEASE send him healing energy or remember him in your prayers. He needs all the help he can get.
Thank you.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Such sad news--only 54 and so caring. ALS IS CRUEL.

Karyn-

Wayne passed away on August 7th - Our family would like to thank you for your friendship and support for Wayne.

I have notified patients like me of his passing and they said they would update something so if you know of anybody that is not aware yet - would you be so kind as to pass the word?

Thank you and wishing you the best,

Jim (Wayne's brother)


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

OUCH!

I have an upcoming date with the dentist for a root canal. The darn tooth has 3 roots.
Woe is me--again.


Monday, September 5, 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011


Monday, August 22, 2011

Researchers Discover Underlying Cause of Lou Gehrig's Disease


Scientists have long struggled to identify the underlying disease process of ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) and weren't even sure that a common disease process was associated with all forms of ALS.

In this new study, Northwestern University researchers said they found that the basis of ALS is a malfunctioning protein recycling system in the neurons of the brain and spinal cord. Efficient recycling of the protein building blocks in the neurons are critical for optimal functioning of the neurons. They become severely damaged when they can't repair or maintain themselves.

This problem occurs in all three types of ALS: hereditary, sporadic and ALS that targets the brain, the researchers said.

The discovery, published Aug. 21 in the journal Nature, shows that all forms of ALS share an underlying cause and offers a common target for drug therapy, according to the researchers.

"This opens up a whole new field for finding an effective treatment for ALS," study senior author Dr. Teepu Siddique, of the Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurosciences at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine, said in a university news release. "We can now test for drugs that would regulate this protein pathway or optimize it, so it functions as it should in a normal state."

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

I'm alive!


I've been in a bit of a slump(literally) lately as I have a hard time keeping my body and head upright. I use a support around my neck and tilt my chair back. As you can see by the picture, I'm still beautiful. LOL. However I don't type as much, hence the lack of blog posts. I still love you all and will try to keep in touch as best I can.

It's about time we respect a suffering individual's right to die.

ALS sufferer Gloria Taylor (seated) wants to choose when she will die and have a doctor assist her.

Photograph by: Wayne Leidenfrost - PNG, The Province

A repost but I admire her courage and tenacity--I hope she wins.



Read more:http://www.theprovince.com/news/Grandma+wants+with+dignity/5021752/story.html#ixzz1TzQ94W5W

Monday, August 1, 2011

A walk along False Creek







Anne and I went on a photo excursion and these are a few of our favourites. It will probably be my last summer using my camera.
I am a realist and am aware of my ALS progression rate. However, I will show my Carer or friend what I want them to photograph. I will be the eye and they, the shooter.

Friday, July 22, 2011


The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can.
Robert Cushing

Sunday, July 17, 2011

A writer's view of his disease--ALS

Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times
Dudley Clendinen, who has Lou Gehrig's disease, at his home in Baltimore last week.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/opinion/sunday/10als.html?_r=2&src=me&ref=general

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Sunday, July 3, 2011