First, my condition...........

I am alive, our house remains unscathed and the hail spared our cars. Leave it to me to bring Midwest tornadoes to Texas, where the nature of the state made them bigger. I've heard no death toll, I hope it's zero.

Since I have now been in Texas over a month I feel it only fair that I update my conditions and my condition.

I recently visited my new primary doctor and took a blood test to determine long range averages involving my borderline diabetes, resulting in less required medication. My blood thinner medication is right on track. I really like my new regular doctor. More recently- on tornado day- I met my new neurologist. Suffice it to say that all ALS specialists share a common bond of ignorance. While this sounds negative- and for me, it is- their answers to my questions are the same as the answers given to patients 40 years ago. Unfortunately for them and us, they are simply managers of disease. When I asked this doctor what was his most difficult task when dealing with ALS sufferers- 300 patients currently reside in his herd- he had no answer. He seemed surprised at the question. I would have thought his most daunting task was to admit he was powerless to direct any real improvement- in his case, for 20 years, confirmed by his statement that while there were cases of remission, he had never had such- in an ALS patient, telling me all his herd had either died or was now dying. Any ALS specialist, all ALS specialists are batting zero, merely tenders of the dying. I use the term "herd" because I feel I have joined one. 300 bovines with mad cow. We are tended by a herd master who will offer to keep us from the barbed wire and other discomforts, powerless to keep us from the real danger, the real monster in the room, ALS. Mad Cow. Whatever.

Doctors are very helpful when it comes to a lift chair (one on the way), a hospital bed (got one), drugs for crying (yet to use, given my track record with such) muscle relaxers (tried, turned into a wet  french fry) and a plethora of other drug options I hope never to need.

We are a week or so from completing our new bathroom. Can't wait. I just opened a package containing a transfer disk, much like a Sit n Spin, designed to  help me pivot and turn, help most welcome.

I can no longer walk unassisted. Transfer is very difficult. My remaining good hand and arm are no longer good. Imagine any activity requiring use of arms or legs and consider my dilemma. While generally I am in no pain, occasional full body muscle spasms  rack me- maybe a half dozen each day- threaten to lock major muscles, painful as hell. My track record with drugs dictates that I must manage these attacks on my own. So far, I can.

Above all and more important than my problems, borne out of the fact that I can deal with this disease as well as I do, is the minute by minute support of my family, Amy. Without them, her, I would be lost. I just hope she continues to carry my sorry ass after I post the continuation of our budding love affair.