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.