Today marks the 75th Anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech to baseball. In his iconic speech, Gehrig declared himself “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
I don't feel like the luckiest man on earth, but I don't have to look far to find somebody I wouldn't trade troubles with.
At the time of my "Farewell Friends" post in early January, two doctors and I didn't expect me to be around this long. My weight loss has since stabilized at 160 and now I expect to see another Thanksgiving, although eating and drinking are overrated. They plumbed my gut with a stomach tube in January, and I finally started using it in May. I take in 2500 calories of Boost Plus daily. The extra protein is putting fat back on my belly.
I can still drive the T, but not comfortably. Younger son drives me everywhere in it. And I can still walk, but not far.
After UC Irvine diagnosed me in December, they just said to come back in two months. I learned from a widow about the services of the VA. Since early March they have put me through every kind of test and therapy imaginable. The Long Beach VA has made the difference.
There has been little progress toward a cure for ALS, which strikes just 5,000 a year out of 330 million.
Ralph, this article was in the St Louis Post-Dispatch this morning:
http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/years-after-gehrig-s-speech-fr ustration-hope-surround-disease/article_497eb83f-02bc-5610-af4b-825c937d4b78.htm l
The mother of a high school friend of mine lived around 20 years with ALS. Life's a crap shoot (for all of us).
Have a good Fourth of July.
Hang in there, RD. Enjoy everything you possibly can, especially the T.
I remember seeing a story on one of those "Strange But True" type shows on TV. A woman with ALS was bathing in her tub when the house and plumbing system was struck by lightning. She went completely numb, no feeling of any kind, but when it returned her ALS was gone. I don't recommend anyone climb Mount Shasta with a 10' graphite rod during a storm, but maybe the cure does lie in the direction of electro therapy.
Incidentally, today's paper featured a story of an 83 year old local man who was there for Lou Gehrig's speech. He was eight years old then but he still remembers the starting lineups for both games that day. He was sitting very close to Eleanor Gehrig and also to Lou's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich Gehrig. Quite a big deal for a little kid. Or for anyone.
Glad to hear how you're doing. We lucky to have a good VA here locally.
looks like you missed the badge drawing at last months OC T meeting of 60 bucks.
Wanna go to the next one? I'll be bring the refreshments? Let me know Tue4sday how your feeling.
Hi Ralph, think about you and Joe almost everyday. Keep smiling and don't give up!
With the stomach tube you must feel like a Model T with an outside oil line. It's always good to hear from you and I hope the T's and the T talk make things a little better for you.
Rich
Glad to hear the good news!
I've always enjoyed your posts and pics.
Hang in there buddy.
Ralph - Thank you for the good news. I always enjoy your posts. We're praying for you.
Keith
Hi, Ralph. Glad to hear that you're doing as well as you are. Hang tough, friend. Bob
Ralph,
When I first met you, it was in Lincoln Nebraska as you passed through running "the Great Race." Little did I know I would again we would again meet (when you stopped by our home town on your way from IL to CA). I never imagined you would again be involved in another "Great Race." This time you are competing in a tougher and more important great race. Hang in there, and keep racing. You are giving inspiration and hope to all of us as we work through our race with life.
Your friend,
Rob
Ralph, when I hear your story and read your posts, I immediately think; I wish I could shake him and tell him to stop. As if that would make it all go away. I know better, but I simply wish it was that easy. God bless you!
Good to see you posting and glad to hear your doing as well as you are.
It pleases me to hear that you are doing better than was expected. Every day of life should be enjoyed. I know that you can do it.
Thank you for your inspiration.
Wayne Sheldon
Hang in there Ralph! KGB
Good that you are doing better than expected. Hope a cure can be found. I will pray for you.
Norm
Every day I see the sun comes up is a blessing that I am thankful for. Having met people like you, even as brief as it was at Bakersfield, makes it even sweeter. Thanks for all you have done in service of our country and hobby. Know that we are with you in respect and in prayers.
Fordially, Erik
What Wayne said. Glad to hear there's been some improvement sir.
Ralph, glad to hear that they have at least slowed things down. I am so glad to hear that you have had such good luck at the VA. I am very fortunate to have a very good VA hospital at Leavenworth KS. Everyone there has been very respectful and helpfull. Keep us posted on your progress. Dave