'Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neuromuscular disease. ALS is characterized by a progressive degeneration of motor nerve cells in the brain (upper motor neurons) and spinal cord (lower motor neurons). When the motor neurons can no longer send impulses to the muscles, the muscles begin to waste away (atrophy), causing increased muscle weakness. ALS does not impair a person's intellectual reasoning, vision, hearing or sense of taste, smell and touch.'
When Ron was first diagnosed, we started massaging his muscles, as the pain was excruciating. At first his body looked as if scarab beetles were running around under his skin (see "The Mummy", a movie), and we were told that it was the muscles starting to roll as they fought dying. This was accompanied with great pain as his body cried out in pain. That was just the beginning.
Then came the involuntary movements and cramping—horrendous cramping! (This lasted for years as he lost more and more muscle; it is the nerve which dies first, killing the muscles as it dies.) The large muscles die first, and soon you are walking on the minor or small muscles (not intended for this use) and losing weight. You soon fall into things or fall to the ground as your legs can not hold you very well. This adds to the pain. Then the upper body starts to cramp and more muscles start to die. The muscles that control your swallowing begin to give you problems, sometimes the muscles in your chest cramp up.
Years ago, Mayo Clinic wanted to put a feeding tube in Ron's chest. He could not get up off the sofa for days. Then prayer requests went around the world for him through Biblical Families. Within two days, he was able to get up and walk! His neck muscles became stronger and he could swallow again. The group took one day a week (Wednesday) for one month to pray and fast for him! It truly was a miracle!!!
The disease has not stopped, but it has slowed down. Because Ron was so strong, both mentally and physically, it has not progressed as fast as it does in most others suffering from it. As the disease progresses, the fatigue comes and exhaustion takes over, so much so that it is an effort to get out of bed, or a chair, or off a couch. The pain subsides as most muscles die, which leaves discomfort and fatigue more than extreme pain. Sometimes his throat and chest problems resurface.
Ron keeps walking in spite of the pain and fatigue, working to supply for us and for himself a life. We suffer mentally and emotionally as we know what is in store for him. But he knows he has a future with God and that carries him forward. God has given him great wisdom and courage to speak out as God leads. He does not gripe nor complain about all or any of this. And God has used this pain for Ron's spiritual growth.
Some day he will end up in a wheelchair and then a bed. He will not be able to speak nor eat and will totally count on others for his needs, hooked up to tubes. We will be by his side. We will continue to use humor, our love, and our faith to keep us going. And the love we all share has already changed our lives, and will continue to do so.
When Ron was first diagnosed, we started massaging his muscles, as the pain was excruciating. At first his body looked as if scarab beetles were running around under his skin (see "The Mummy", a movie), and we were told that it was the muscles starting to roll as they fought dying. This was accompanied with great pain as his body cried out in pain. That was just the beginning.
Then came the involuntary movements and cramping—horrendous cramping! (This lasted for years as he lost more and more muscle; it is the nerve which dies first, killing the muscles as it dies.) The large muscles die first, and soon you are walking on the minor or small muscles (not intended for this use) and losing weight. You soon fall into things or fall to the ground as your legs can not hold you very well. This adds to the pain. Then the upper body starts to cramp and more muscles start to die. The muscles that control your swallowing begin to give you problems, sometimes the muscles in your chest cramp up.
Years ago, Mayo Clinic wanted to put a feeding tube in Ron's chest. He could not get up off the sofa for days. Then prayer requests went around the world for him through Biblical Families. Within two days, he was able to get up and walk! His neck muscles became stronger and he could swallow again. The group took one day a week (Wednesday) for one month to pray and fast for him! It truly was a miracle!!!
The disease has not stopped, but it has slowed down. Because Ron was so strong, both mentally and physically, it has not progressed as fast as it does in most others suffering from it. As the disease progresses, the fatigue comes and exhaustion takes over, so much so that it is an effort to get out of bed, or a chair, or off a couch. The pain subsides as most muscles die, which leaves discomfort and fatigue more than extreme pain. Sometimes his throat and chest problems resurface.
Ron keeps walking in spite of the pain and fatigue, working to supply for us and for himself a life. We suffer mentally and emotionally as we know what is in store for him. But he knows he has a future with God and that carries him forward. God has given him great wisdom and courage to speak out as God leads. He does not gripe nor complain about all or any of this. And God has used this pain for Ron's spiritual growth.
Some day he will end up in a wheelchair and then a bed. He will not be able to speak nor eat and will totally count on others for his needs, hooked up to tubes. We will be by his side. We will continue to use humor, our love, and our faith to keep us going. And the love we all share has already changed our lives, and will continue to do so.
