News I didn't Want

Today I was told that I have Lou Gehrig's disease. I had suspected this already from September 13, when I noticed the symptoms associated with this condition - tiny cramps in my hand, some twitches in my forearm, and a weakening last joint on the left hand index finger. It is an alarming thing to have your body do things you didn't command it to do! In the past 98 days then, I've had many tests done, looking for something that was causing these things to happen. Nothing was found, which leaves only one logical explanation: it is Lou Gehrig's.

Lou Gehrig's disease hits mostly thinner people, people who are physically active, and people who are over 40. While only about 2 of every 100,000 get it in any given year, about one out of 700 eventually does get it in his or her lifetime. So if you know about 700 people, like most people do, then one of them will get it. It looks like it is me - I guess you can tell the others you know that they don't need to worry about this anymore!

So what now? The doctor said today that my case seems to be moving along more quickly than usual. I don't believe him though. I think I'm one of the ones who lives to a ripe old age.

The photo is taken at the base of a 700 year old castle, just a 40 minute hike from home. We come here often, though it's a 300 meter climb.