Cadman Signing Qut

To my true love Vicki-Until we met again and to all the other FREEBIRDS let our wings soar.
God Bless, Lee

Many say "It's not fair"!

Many people say to me how my situation just isn't fair. I can honestly say the thought has crossed my mind considering what I am going through. However, what's really not fair is people going through a thing like this and they don't have family and friends like I do. This month I celebrated my 47th birthday with my family, Mike Nelms, a former Redskin player visited me and gave me an autographed jersey and let me wear his Superbowl ring. This weekend from Friday to Sunday my family is throwing a "Uncle Lee's Hard Rockin' Weekend". It's a three day get together to fellowship and have fun. To each one of you I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words and caring for me. God bless all and take care, Lee

Thanks to my caregivers

I want to say thanks with all my heart to Vicki, Erica and Chad for their love and compassion. Daily they help me cope with the challenges I face. Joan, my mother-in-law comes over one day a week and also helps me. I am feeling okay and again I say I tend to dwell on the positive and am thankful for my blessings. All take care and be safe and God bless, Lee

Tribute to Jerry Kaufman

Today I learned Jerry Kaufman (Stemcell Man) passed away last night. I grew to know him in the ALS chatroom and met him personally in Belize where both of us had stemcell transplants. He was up walking with his walker and always looked at me laughing. He sent me emails about being a warrior to fight this disease. He truly inspired me with his spirit and enthusiasm. He will be sorely missed in our chatroom and by all that knew him. There is a link to his site on here and a picture of us in Belize. Please remember his family in prayers to comfort them at this time. As things go for me I try to stay upbeat and thank GOD for what I have, not what I have lost. Take care and be safe, Lee

Hail To The Redskins and the Moutaineers

Hi all, I hope everyone is doing well. Well the Redskins won 4 games straight and finished with a victory over the Cowboys to secure the spot in the playoffs. The beat Dallas by 21 points which is the number of Sean Taylor their team mate which was shot and killed. They are playing inspired football. Beating the Cowboys to get in the playoffs makes it even sweeter. The Redskins play at Seattle today in a wildcard playoff game. No matter the outcome I am proud of their accomplishment. Sure a victory would be nice and then they would travel to Dallas next week in the second round. At the beginning of the year I just asked for the team to be in contention and they have done that. I have seen them win 3 Superbowl's with Joe Gibbs. Anything with Joe Gibbs as the coach is a bonus. Also the West Virginia Mountaineers beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl 48 to 28. They had an interim coach Bill Stewart (quarterback coach) step in because the head coach took a job at Michigan. They were the underdog and they rallied as a team and won the game and Bill Stewart was given the head coaching job with a 5 year contract. Well as you can tell I like football. I am taking a day at a time and again I am thankful to my family especially my wife Vicki and my daughter Erica and son Chad as they are my caregivers and they help me everyday to cope with this disease. Take care and GOD bless, Lee.

A Day of Sadness and Rejocing

Hello all. Today I watched the Sean Taylor memorial. He is the Redskin player who was shot by robbers in his home last Monday and passed away on Tuesday. He was only 24 years old. It's hard to make sense of why things like this happen. The coach Joe Gibbs was one of the speakers at the memorial service and said GOD says our life is a puff of smoke and GOD also says it will take us 1000 years to realize the how awesome heaven really is. Many who spoke at the memorial said they know Sean had a relationship with Jesus Christ therefore he is in heaven and there forever. I pray each of you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior and ask Him to come into your heart and wash away your sins and you to can rejoice you will also be in the kingdom of heaven one day to. We can all rejoice in the fact we can all live eternally. Well until next time GOD bless and take care, Lee.

A Lot To Be Thankful For

Hi all, I hope everyone is feeling good. Well my feeding tube is working just fine and no more pressure trying to eat. I can still have things by mouth that I can handle and the formula I get via the tube gives me the calories and vitamins I need to sustain weight. Vicki, Erica and Chad have all used the tube and it's really no big deal. I am off quarantine and looking forward to getting together with family on Thanksgiving. I go to speech therapy on Friday and have physical therapy on Nov. 29th. Thanks to all for the prayers and concerns. Take care and God bless, Lee

Leaves Are Falling

Hi all. I went out to the dock today on my scooter and did some reading. A cool breeze and the leaves falling makes this a great time of year. I am going to UVA on Thursday for a pre op appointment for a feeding tube scheduled to be done on November 2nd. I have lost so much weight and I have lots of pills to take for the stemcells to flourish it seems like the sensible thing to do. It's good to get home and I will be in quarantine for a few more weeks. I am looking forward to seeing everyone soon. Everyone be safe, love Lee PS I have added a picture below Redskin training camp called grand kids. I added this because my nieces Lacy and Amber and Grandmother Hoffman needed to be added this blog.

Greetings from Belize

Hi all. After one week and the first stem cell transplant into my hip bone extracting marrow and injecting stem cells there I feel stronger and I will have 3 more transplants via my picc line during my second week. I was able to stand more freely and with assistance I took steps with a walker. My feet have a tendency to turn in so I will need some ankle braces. There are lots of pills to take and exercises along with a great staff to give assistance and massages. All the activity get those new cells moving. Well all take care and I will post some pictures. God bless, Lee

Thanks To ALL

The benefit was a total success. Hey and it's not about the money. There was an enormous outpouring of love and caring. I am posting what my brother read for me at the benefit.

Hello and Welcome,
I am reading this on Lee’s behalf. First and foremost I want to thank Jackie Cullen for coming to me with this idea and generous act and Keith MacDonald for all of his hard work in getting the bands together. I want to recognize Jim Cullen and son Jim and my wife Vicki for all their hard work. Many volunteers and family have given their time and effort also and I say thanks. Many donations have been made and I want to say thanks for that also. I also want to thank each and every one of you for coming and I hope this will be a great day for you too. If you have read the local papers the last week you may know who I am and what really is going on here. For some of you this is a Rockfest and you came to hear your band play. This is a benefit for me and my family to raise money for excessive medical needs due to my ALS disease. One year ago today I could of walked on this stage and read this to you. The disease has robbed me of that ability. It has not robbed me of brainpower or emotions. Today I want all of you to know my cup runneth over. The love and caring here is beyond a normal persons comprehension. I want today to create awareness for this disease and hopefully one day there will be a cure. I also want you to know a portion of the proceeds will be donated to our local ALS chapter, which has helped me in numerous ways. In closing a special thanks to my sister Pam, brother Ray, my Mom Barbara, my wife Vicki, brother-in-laws David, Bob and Doug, sister-in-law Pam, cousins Sharon and Michael for truly showing me what family means.

Thank you and God bless,
Lee Linthicum

Fall is in the air

Hi all ! Feel that cool morning breeze. I love this time of year and the football is in the air -GO REDSKINS ! Well the benefit is Saturday September 22nd and later to Belize for stem cell implants. My wife Vicki, brother Ray and his girlfriend Stephanie will join me. This adventure gives me hope and I know there are no guarantees in life but sometimes you just have to take a shot. I am now visiting my mom and brother Ray for a while and enjoying the Redskin games with them. Moms feeding me lots of pancakes and doing a good job of adding some needed pounds. Go to http://www.starexponent.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CSE/MGArticle/CSE_MGArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352782075 to see an article about me in the local newspaper. Well for now you all take care, love Lee

Dog days of summer

Well it's almost 100 degrees today and I am just thankful for season changes, it is temporary and the leaves will be falling soon. Yesterday I went to my sister Pam's house for dinner with the family and to see Nina who is visiting from Naples who I visited in January. Good food and great company is always enjoyable. I can't wait for football season. I was born a Redskin fan. Last Sunday my brother and I along with Cliff and Robert went to visit the training camp but it got rained out. We are going to try again this Wednesday. My niece Briana's half sister Brittany gave me a Redskin hat signed by Joe Gibbs. I will always think of her when I wear it and it was a kind and generous act. We have 8 bands lined up for my fundraiser and many people are involved getting sponsors and vendors. Go to http://www.rockfest.vabb.com/ to get information on the fundraiser. I have been a pinball enthusiast since childhood. Yesterday a guy from Pennsylvania bought back 2 of my machines he was restoring for me, Jurassic Park and Revenge From Mars. I had him put them in my room. I can still roll my chair to them and play them. I am enjoying the things I can. I have decided to grow my hair long. I have always been blessed with thick fast growing hair. I feel it is one thing ALS can't get and I am doing it because I can. My mind is strong and have a sense of humor. Yesterday I was trying to adjust the seat belt in my wheel chair and just couldn't pull the belt through the catch to make it shorter. My right hand is weak and I struggled with for a few minutes and gave up. I asked my good friend Jim Cullen to adjust the belt and he also was struggling with it for a few minutes. I looked at him and said "So they expect handicap people to do that easily huh"? We looked at each other at that moment and laughed to hysteria. It was one of those situations you had to be there but one I will never forget, thanks Jim. I am making it through the love and caring of family and friends. Well until next time God bless and be safe, Lee.

Been Busy

Well back from the beach. The weather was hot and it was good to get away but always good to get home. Thursday I am going to UVA hospital to get a screening for a drug trial to slow down ALS progression, so I will let everyone know how that goes. There is a fund raiser being planned for me and the ALS foundation. It was started by a good friend Jackie Cullen through the Rock Academy in Culpeper. It will be on September 22nd with a rain date on the 23rd. It will be from 1pm to 9pm with a bunch of local rock bands, Rockfest for Lee Linthicum and the ALS foundation. Tshirts,buttons and food will be sold. Again through another friends' kindness and thoughtfulness my cup runneth over. The proceeds will help renovate a bathroom for my handicap accessible needs. I have attached a few pictures from the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert, the Boston trip and the 2007 beach trip. Everyone be safe and GOD bless, Lee

Movin' On

Well a lot sure has happened in a month or so. The front porch is done with a ramp for me to get my power chair outside. We are in the process of getting a transport van for me and the chair. It has a fold out ramp for me to drive into the van. We are leaving tomorrow to visit Vicki's brother in Boston and will return on Tuesday and then Sunday we are headed to Myrtle Beach for a week. We are taking a transport van to make it easier for me. I have added some pictures of my Mom's and my visit to my good friends Jim and Carol Graham. I misplaced these photos but Carol was gracious enough to recopy them for me. I went to see my favorite band Lynyrd Skynyrd this past Sunday night and was joined by good friends and family and had an awesome time. I will post pictures of the concert soon. As I always say, I am just taking it a day at a time and thanking GOD each day I wake and draw a breath. I am so blessed with loving a family and friends as you can see on this blog. Until next time, take care, Lee.

The Prayer Quilt

The picture noted prayer quilt holds a special place in my heart. The person standing beside me is Pat Edwards. I first met her through a real estate transaction in 1999. We recently got in touch and I told her about my ALS diagnoses. She has a friend named Eleanor Brown that makes prayer quilts through a ministry at her church. The quilt has strings and people come to the front of the church and pray over the quilt and tie a knot in one of the strings. This quilt has over 100 knots. The prayer note attached was : This Prayer Quilt is for Lee Linthicum, please pray GOD's will be done with my ALS, and that He put a hedge of love and protection around my family. Pat mentioned me to Eleanor and through love and thoughtfulness this quilt was made. Every time I look at it, my soul fills with happiness. My dock is done and by the end of the week my front porch and ramp will be done and that will give me more mobility. All thanks to GOD. Take care, Lee

Thanks to the Dock Buiders

Bob Copeland ask me if I wanted anything. I thought for a moment and then it hit me, I always wanted a dock. I drew up the design and one week later Bob was here. Bob recruited Dave Symington,Ray Linthicum,Jim Cullen and his son Jim and Daniel William. The time and effort that all gave can not be measured. There aren't words I can come up with that would express how greatly this is appreciated. So please take a bow, each one of you. I personally pat each one of you on the back. It is a job well done. The picture posted "Dock Gang" does not include Daniel so I am posting "Dock Gang Final Day"with him. I love you guys, now I am going fishing.

Keeping My Chin Up

Hi all, hope life is going good for everyone. I am still getting around with that 4 wheel walker and the ALS loan closet gave me a power chair to use. It does help save energy on some days. I just finished reading "A Painted House" by John Grisham. I read it in 4 days, which isn't astounding by any stretch but I have done no avid reading since 10th grade. I am going to start though because it helps to get mind in another place. It was a book that sucked me in and kept my attention and that helps. If you look at the pictures here you will see the dock gang. They are the guys working on my pond dock. I will be able to ride my scooter on the dock to fish so I am excited. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this. They have been giving up their time for my special need. Friends and family are key in my fight against ALS. The comments and posts on this site are greatly appreciated. Well until next time, take care and GOD bless.

A sad day after my birthday

Today I got news about a friend with ALS named Chad Bowman passed away on April 2nd. He was just diagnosed in February. He chose to unplug his vent and he passed away peacefully according to his wife. He was only 34. I met him in the ALS chatroom where we hit it off. He was a project manager for a construction company which hit home with me because my job dealt in the same realm. I turned 46 on April 3rd. Birthdays are much more meaningful for me now. Well we are having a new porch with a ramp added to the front of the house. Also, a good friend has offered up his services to build me a dock for my pond. My brother and brother-in-law also offered their help. I am truly excited about the dock. It will assist me in my fishing to have a safe level surface to park my scooter on. It was 85 degrees on my birthday Tuesday and it will be below freezing by Friday. I am ready for summer. Mom came and spent time with me on my birthday and was a nice visit. I got my power chair a week ago and it sure helps on some days when walking is hard. Well bye for now and take care. Lee

Warm Sunny Day

Well today was 80 degrees and I got outside and enjoyed the sun. I went to my pulminary appointment last Friday and got good results. My breathing is better than men my age and weight. So good news is welcome. We have been house hunting. It has made us so aware how nice our property and home is. I think we will just add a ramp on the front and renovate a bathroom to accomodate my handicap condition. I am using a four wheel walker now because it gives me better balance than the cane. Again, I am just taking it a day at a time. Take care all and God bless. Lee

Sippin coffee on Saturday morning

The sun is bright today but they are calling for an ice storm after midnight. I am ready for spring. Our family has discussed selling our house and down sizing. I can't do the things I love or maintain the property the way I did prior to the ALS. I have had this place since 1999 and the memories will always be cherished. We have to do what is right for us and practical considering my limitations. So again, one day at a time and put it in God's hands. I have an appointment with a pulmonary specialist on March 9th to check my breathing status. I may have to consider a bipap machine to use at night. This does strengthen my diaphragm and in the long haul it helps. I watched two movies yesterday with Vicki and Erica. They were "Little Miss Sunshine" and "The Departed" and I would recommend them both. Well again take care and God bless. Lee