Thanksgiving
My ALS clinic was last Wednesday and the good news is that I am still doing better than expected after three years into this disease. The good news is that although my voice has been affected to some degree, it is still fairly strong (my singing sucks but that's not a big change, ask anyone). I can still eat and swallow with ease and my facial muscles are minimally compromised. The good news is that although my arms and legs can no longer carry me through my days, they still have the ability to jive a little to a good Dixie Chicks tune and my core muscles can still keep me sitting up straight enough and strong enough to do a mini chair dance.
The bad news is that I am only moving half of the air in and out of my lungs as I was a year ago but the good news is that I am getting all the oxygen I need from the air that I breath. There are times when I am uncomfortable, but it's nothing I can't handle. I do have to see a pulmonary specialist for a more refined test and a second opinion, but all in all, my doctor and my team of therapists were impressed with how well I am managing.
So this Thanksgiving I am giving thanks to a body that keeps on fighting, to a spirit that believes in living each day to the fullest and to the people who help keep that body and spirit strong whenever I need them to. And thanks to all of you who come here and share my days, it means more than you know.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and always… peace.
The bad news is that I am only moving half of the air in and out of my lungs as I was a year ago but the good news is that I am getting all the oxygen I need from the air that I breath. There are times when I am uncomfortable, but it's nothing I can't handle. I do have to see a pulmonary specialist for a more refined test and a second opinion, but all in all, my doctor and my team of therapists were impressed with how well I am managing.
So this Thanksgiving I am giving thanks to a body that keeps on fighting, to a spirit that believes in living each day to the fullest and to the people who help keep that body and spirit strong whenever I need them to. And thanks to all of you who come here and share my days, it means more than you know.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and always… peace.
posted by Pam at 2:26 PM
13 Comments:
Hi Pam
That's a great report. You have what our supposed president calls a "glass half full attitude." You always seem to find a ray of light in everything that comes your way. I'm sending you an extra ray of golden light.
I am grateful for your presence on the blog and in my life. I don't think of you as my blogging friend with ALS. I experience you as my blogging friend with a huge appetite for life.
Also, on a related note, I think I've come out of my hibernation. I have started a new blog called "Crayons." I'm not sure where I'm going with it, but it's there.
What a wonderful list of thanks!
Sending you warm thoughts and wishes for many many more things that bring you thoughts of Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving friend
Reading your good news has me counting my own blessings. I wish you a most happy Thanksgiving Pam.
Glad to read your medical status evidences continued good functioning in so many areas, that your respiration enables you to obtain the oxygen needed from the air, though I do wish you didn't have any discomfort at all. As my mother always used to say, "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride." (She grew up during horse and buggy days -- before cars.)
Thank you for sharing your photos, experiences and a perspective on living that stimulates thought.
Know you'll enjoy Thanksgiving and family.
Your spirit is amazing and touches me. Do have a wonderful time with the family.
A Happy Thanksgiving to you, dear friend! I'm glad there was so much good news--attitude counts big time. Stay well, and enjoy the holiday.
Hi Pam,
Your post made me want to get up and dance a jig or two. This is great news!! I am hoping that your body continues its fight and that your amazing spirit and zest for life keeps inspiring the rest of us!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm so happy to hear you had a positive medical report. It was a particularly nice post-Thanksgiving treat to get. Your posts always bring my, sometimes, petty mind back to what is real in life. Thank you so much.
The way you find the good news in each milestone, Pam, continues to be an inspiration.
Oh Pam,
It's so good to hear your good news :0) I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with laughter and smiles.
You do bring smiles to your blogging friends. I give thanks for 'you'.
Caroline, it's so very nice to have you back. I have checked out your new blog and commented, it's been a long time.
Thank you for your comment, I like how you see me because no matter who we are or what is going on with us, in the end it is all about how we choose to live our life. I have always tried to live juicy and with gusto.
Endment, it's important to be thankful for what is good, I hope you had a wonderful list, too.
Coll, may your list of blessings be well populated.
Joared, thanks again for the visit, and it was my grandmother who used to say that!
AC, thank you, and Thanksgiving was very nice.
Joyce, attitude counts huge. Sometimes it comes easy, sometimes I have to work on it but I am always aware of its importance. As we all should be. Thank you for your continued support and friendship.
Kate, a jig, eh? Yeah, I did a mental one. And all of you inspire me.
Alyssa, it's the winning of the little day-to-day battles that helps me fight my war, that and coming here ant finding such wonderful support from my blogging friends.
Bitterroot, thank you. The feeling is mutual, I look at your photographs and they tell me how you see the world.
Cathy, I give thanks for your presence in my life, also.
To everyone: speaking of inspiration, your comments, continued support and friendship, not to mention your wonderful blogs, inspire me every day. I had no idea, back when I started this, that I would find such wonderful, fascinating and kind people and so many new friends. Or that I would have so much fun. Bless you all!
As always...you are my inspiration Pam. What more can I say except that I love you and all that you share with us.
My father would have loved you. He'd have asked about your entire past, the birth signs of your children, if you like the Vermont Teddy Bear company, and sung "As you go through life, whatever be your goal, keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole."
That, and: "Roses are reddish, violets are bluish, if it weren't for Jesus, we'd all be Jewish."
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