Even when I'm angry--I'm cute.

ALS Facts

FACTS ABOUT ALS

ALS is also called . . .
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Sclérose latérale amyotrophique
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Maladie de Lou Gehrig
Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
Maladie de Charcot

ALS is a rapidly progressive fatal neuromuscular disease.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Nerve cells degenerate
Muscles are paralyzed
Generally the intellect & senses are unimpaired

ALS can strike anyone.
Male or female
Any ethnic origin
At any age
Some have been diagnosed as teens
Usual onset is in middle age

80% die of ALS within two to five years of diagnosis
Some will die within a few short months
Some people live longer

Some cases are hereditary.
Less than 10% are familial ALS
ALS is not contagious

Approximately 2,500-3,000 Canadians currently live with ALS.

Every day two or three Canadians die of ALS.

ALS is the most common cause of neurological death

ALS strikes the whole family.
90% of home care is shouldered by family caregivers
ALS is a costly disease - emotionally, physically and financially

ALS Society Unit provides quality care
Information and referrals
Support for the person with ALS and their family
Equipment programs
Advocacy

The ALS Society of Canada funds excellent and relevant research into the cause of ALS
Research is our best hope
Partner with us for a cure – Call 1-800-267-4257

It's a lonely road

ALS is a peculiar disease. The journey is filled with twists and turns. Nothing is precise or predictable--even death. Some live one year, some live ten.
Recently, two of my pen pals have become "locked in"(unable to communicate). This news has brought tears. I grieve the loss of their friendship and their loss to participate in life. People some times forget that although we have new communication techniques, wonderful caregivers, ALS support personnel, family and friends, we still may be shut out of life by sudden progression. If the fingers don't move we can't type, if we lose our voice we can't phone, if our eyes don't move due to total paralysis, we can't use "eye gaze." However, we always stay alert in our still body. We hear, see and feel emotions.
It's a scary and lonely road to travel. I'm one of the lucky ones--I have all of you to walk with me.

For my friends and family

Your Song

Rainy Days and Mondays

Rainy Days and Mondays--The Carpenters

Red Lake

My brother took this photo on Red Lake. I thought it was beautiful so I decided to post it here for all to enjoy.

Maxine

Happy Halloween

Escape?

Honolulu calls out to those who hate the rain. I love the rain so I'm happy looking at the pictures and snuggling up in my recliner by the fire.

Hanging in there

I wish I could fly!
Click for song.

Old family photo

A picture of my siblings, my twin cousins and me. I'm 3rd from the left(have braids). My brother Ken is on left, my brother Malcolm and elder sister Cheryle on right. Baby sister Heather is driving the soapbox car. That leaves my twin cousins Judy and Janet. I'm guessing that this was about 1956.

As the day progresses

An old newspaper clipping of my days(18 yrs. young) in horse shows

For those who remember--Roy Rogers--"Tumbling Tumbleweeds"

The Crazy Two?

These two fit the song, "We Weren't Born To Follow." Click to hear the song. Besides Mickey and Tigger, they are also known as Sandra and Cathie. Ahhh, the memories of schools at Halloween.

Some photos from an afternoon at English Bay

One of my favorite things

When I was little I believed there was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Now I believe the sighting of a perfect rainbow is worth a pot of gold. My apartment provides the best view for rainbows when the rain showers lessen and the sun breaks through the clouds.

It often only lasts 20 mins. and fades before you get to enjoy it. One of the benefits of being somewhat housebound in rainy weather is the rainbow.

"A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the Sun shines onto droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere. They take the form of a multicoloured arc, with red on the outer part of the arch and violet on the inner section of the arc."

Remember when we got home made treats?

The Giant Halloween Caramel Apple.

Surprise your favorite apple aficionado with a caramel apple whose impressive size conveys the extent of your good wishes. Each confection begins with a magnificent Washington Fuji apple, a varietal prized for its juicy crispness and sweet, slightly spicy flavor. Candymakers double-dip the apple in handmade caramel that's been simmered in copper kettles to rich, buttery creaminess. The apple is blanketed with a thick layer of premium dark chocolate, coated with roasted California almonds and finished with a drizzle of dark chocolate and orange-tinted white chocolate. Apple keeps 2 weeks refrigerated.

Don't Let The Rain Come Down

A song for my dear friend who sent me a postcard today. Last time I posted this song she told me she couldn't get the chorus out of her head--so just for her, here it is again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJHGHtVP9v8&feature=related

Perhaps Love

John Denver/Placido Domingo--click for song

Happy Thanksgiving

Fall in the city

Fall in the city is never the same as the mass beauty of colour in the country--but it is a pleasing stark contrast with skyscrapers, sidewalks, cars and shops. I'm a country kid at heart but I've grown to love the quick pulse of the city. The changing colours of the trees with geometric cement shapes as a backdrop has a scenic quality all of its' own--and worthy of photographing.
Here is a photo I took looking from my patio, across False Creek and into Yaletown.

Autumn and love

I was photographing the colours of Fall today and accidentally captured a Father hugging his child. What a bonus!

Sweet tooth

We all have our favorites and obviously Dottie, although a Scottish kitty, prefers Turkish Delight.

Heart attacks in women

Knowing your family's history of heart disease is important because if you have a close relative with heart disease or diabetes, you are at higher risk for these conditions, too.

Even if you don't have symptoms of heart disease, having a strong family history - particularly if a parent died at a young age of a heart attack - may be enough reason to be checked early to catch problems that may not yet be causing symptoms. In 40 percent of people that develop heart disease, sudden death is the first symptom.

Learn the unique symptoms of heart disease in women.

Chest pain is the most common symptom of heart problems in both men and women, but women are much more likely to also experience subtle symptoms such as headaches, nausea and upset stomach, jaw or neck pain, shortness of breath and generalized fatigue.

Get help immediately. "Research shows that women tend to call for help later than men do, possibly because they don't recognize these atypical symptoms as signaling heart troubles, or possibly because their tolerance for pain is greater," says Dr. Mosca. If you have symptoms and think you might be having a heart attack or stroke, don't delay; call 911.

A ride on the Canada Line to new Convention Centre

If you haven't been down to the new Convention Centre, it will be a treat. The views from the walk-around deck are beautiful.
I took the Canada Line from Olympic Station to the Waterfront. I was accompanied by 2 friends(my tour guides) and loved the day. It was sunny, warm and blue sky. The only glitch was when I held my sandwich at the side of my power chair(to prevent spilling mustard on my shirt) and a Golden Lab came by--and yes, you guessed it--slobbered all over my delicious Clubhouse. Lucky for me, I had eaten half before he tasted it.

I'm the fashion queen of 6th Ave.

Ask and you might receive

I was out with my Care Aid today to make some purchases at Staples. After buying a phone system with a head set to make calling easier, a fat pen to decrease difficulty when signing cheques, an easy grip case for my iPhone with speech program(not purchased as yet), and a pink high heel tape holder(don't ask!), we wandered over to Boston Pizza. Alas, it wasn't open so we waited in the beautiful lobby of the office building next door. As we "people watched" I saw a well dressed man hand a bright yellow/gold cape to a woman friend. I quickly powered over to him and said, "Excuse me, but where did you purchase that? I've been looking all over for one to wear on my wheel chair." He hesitated, and then said, "Oh, a gift for you." He reached in his bag and pulled out another and handed it to me. I was so-o-o pleased. It fit perfectly and covered my chair controls--ideal if I should get caught in the rain.

I spoke with the woman who received one as well, and asked who the charitable man was. "President of Polygon Properties," she replied. You see, you just never know who you might cross paths with--furthermore you never know when you might receive.

Now about the pizza--barbecued chicken and very tasty.

I can do it!

I do exercises with my care workers to maintain flexibility. As you can see in the picture, my right arm is good, my left arm only lifts half way(muscles have weakened and some atrophy is obvious). By someone lifting the arm for me, my shoulder doesn't seize. These exercises are called "Range of Motion"(ROM) and are recommended for all ALS patients.

Ocean and Boats

There is something romantic about the ocean and sailboats. It must be that dream of sailing away into the sunset with your perfect partner onboard-- no worries on the horizon. Of course if you've ever owned a boat it's very different. Storms, engine problems, sea sickness, all tend to destroy the romantic notion. However, I still pause by the seashore and dream. I dream of smooth sailing, candle light dinners, sunny warm weather and the perfect companion. I dream of anchoring in a beautiful cove and working on my novel that will become a best seller. I dream of impeccable health, fine wine, and watching otters float on the waves. I consider myself lucky that I love solitude, meditative time, and to dream. This way there is nothing I can't experience--real or not.

I wish I owned one--maybe in my next life!

I was shopping at the market and spotted this vintage car. What a beauty it was--in mint condition.

The market is getting less crowded as the high tourist season comes to an end. The Fringe Festival has been on and of course there are the weekend buskers trying to earn some money as they entertain with their musical skills. I always feel like I'm on holiday when I go to the market. A good feeling indeed.

It's great to forget how some people see you

Some days are for snoozing

To freeze, let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to 1-quart airtight containers, leaving 1/2 inch at the top to allow for expansion. Freeze the soup for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat over medium heat.

Ingredients:

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 lb. boneless beef chuck, cut into chunks

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 red-skinned potatoes, scrubbed but unpeeled, cut into chunks

1 can (28 oz.) crushed plum tomatoes, with juices

1/2 lb. green beans, trimmed

2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

Sauté the beef
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, warm 1 Tbs. of the olive oil. Working in batches, add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Cook the vegetables
Add the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil to the saucepan and reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion, carrots and celery, cover the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Return the beef and any juices from the plate to the pan.

Simmer the soup
Add 1 1/2 quarts water to the pan, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour. Add the potatoes, the tomatoes and their juices and the green beans, and stir well. Simmer until the beef and the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into individual bowls and serve immediately. If freezing the soup, set it aside to cool (see note above). Serves 6 to 8.

Sept. 13th 6:30 A.M.

Some mornings are too beautiful for words. A photo shares the moment best.

Wind Beneath My Wings

Click here for song.

Yummy!

Friends and my Care Giver made New York cheesecake on Thursday. It was great fun watching and eating. I always get the hard jobs!

I tried to save you all a piece but it seemed to disappear from the fridge.