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

Time to start my online journal

Today the temperature is going to get into the fifty's. A welcoming site after the frozen tundra for the last few weeks. Yesterday Vicki and I went to Richmond Va. to look at speech equipment. You know the machines that speak for people if there is a loss of voice. I am not ready for one but it is good to get this done while you are able. I want to tell you the only way to cope with this disease is faith in God. This life is temporary and we all are passing through. I said earlier that this disease can take me physically but never take my soul. My family and friends are another reason I can cope. Many have out poured there feelings and services and I appreciate it immensely. I'm still getting around with a cane. I feel good and just thank God for this day he has given me. Take care and God bless. Lee

My life of 3's

I was born April 3rd. I was 3 pound 11 ounces. I am one of 3 children. I was 3 months premature. I was 3 when my appendix ruptured. I dated my wife 3 years before marriage. My wife's age and mine are 3 years apart. I was 23 when I got married. We had our first child 3 years after we got married. My children are 3 years apart. I worked my first drafting job for 3 years. I started my longest tenure of work in 1983.

My life (things heard and remembered)

I was born April 3rd, 1961 in Warrenton Virginia. I was premature and weighed 3 lbs. and 11 ounces. Life had already gave me a struggle. At the age of 3 my appendix ruptured. I had a long stay and made medical history at Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton Virginia. Life again gave me a struggle. I had a normal childhood of any middle class family. Most of my life I grew up on a farm with horses, cows and chickens. I fished every chance I got. My dad was a bird lover and we also had pigeons, golden head pheasants and peacocks. I lived with my parents, my grandmothers, my sister and brother. My brother and I had chores to do daily caring and feeding the animals. I had a pony named Blacky. I enjoyed riding but I traded my pony in for a dirt bike when I was 13. I started driving when I was 16. My first ride was a 1966 mustang. I graduated at Fauquier High School in 1979. I had taken 2 year and a 1,080 hour drafting class in 11th and 12th grade. Drafting turned out to be my career and I did it for the next 28 years. I first started in the bridge industry for 3 years then moved on to a miscellaneous and structural steel fabricator. I worked on many complicated projects. I detailed beams, columns and truss systems. The company I worked for had many projects in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland. The company did work on many well known buildings. To name a few, Library of Congress, The Kennedy Center, The Pentagon and the Supreme Court. I worked there right up until my ALS diagnosis in Sept. 2006. Life again has given me a struggle.

I met my wife in 1981 and we got married in 1984. We had our daughter in 1987 and had our son in 1990. As with any couple we worked hard and raised our kids to the best of our ability. My wife stayed home during the early years for both our children. My values as a parent and provider were instilled in me at a very early age. Both of my parents worked hard to provide for 3 children. My mother's mom took care of us when mom was at work. I always wondered what I would become. I worried about what I would do for a living. When I was young the Vietnam war was going on and I remember seeing it on the news. It was frightening to see that at a young age. Things in my life just always seemed to work out. I have no regrets. I have fought the good fight. GOD has blessed me in so many ways. Today I have use of both arms and can type. I am getting around with a cane. Everyday I wake up I give GOD the glory and thank him for what he has given me. ALS can hinder me physically but can never take my soul. To each and every person that reads this I don't want you to feel sorry for me or pity me. I want you also to wake up everyday just as I do and be thankful we have one another and we have love and peace in our hearts. God bless and take care. Lee