IntrinsicTina

Patriots win Super Bowl LI (That is 51 in Roman numerals, Jack!) You can get that 4-1-1 on your twitter feed, FaceBook, Yahoo, television, radio, your Uncle Gary, that obnoxious Patriots fan in the next cubicle, etc. Some people judge the Patriots on star quarterback, Tom Brady, and the whole Deflategate scandal. Who can blame them? I don't want to rehash that debacle in this forum. Where do I weigh in? Suffice it to say, I was rooting for Atlanta. My husband, on the other hand, was rooting for the Patriots, despite making digs about deflating footballs, when New England played abysmally the first three quarters. Neither of us could believe the cred-saving comeback of the Patriots in the fourth quarter!  They actually tied up the game! The first tie game in Super Bowl history and I witnessed it, in the comfort of my hospice room, with my loyal football-loving husband. Worse, I watched the Patriots win Super Bowl LI, when they took the sudden death contest when they scored a...

Contrary to what I publish to my blog, I want people to know that I am not unhappy. I laugh often and love much. I do enjoy Life, despite my circumstances. Having ALS is a bad break, but I should hope that it doesn't define me. I've had some incredible experiences that I doubt I would've had otherwise. I've rubbed elbows with some good people. I've gotten to know people in a unique way. I've been a part of purpose much greater than myself. I've been able to contribute to the future.  I learned to love Football way too late in life!I wish I could have gone to a game and watched the Seahawks in person! I adore all of them but mostly, Richard Sherman. I've really enjoyed watching the games with my husband.

Today is the Super Bowl. My team, the Seattle Seahawks, play the New England Patriots in Arizona. Even though the game is miles away and I'm stuck in the hospital, Seahawks fever is running high. The nurses, patient care technicians, hospitality aides, and visitors are sporting their favorite player's jerseys. I plan on the same if I can get someone to put it on me. Out of my window overlooking the Montlake Cut and Lake Washington, I spied a small plane towing a blue and white "12", the flag of the fans of the Seattle Seahawks. This city's going to erupt if we win the Super Bowl for the second time! I'm waiting for my husband to arrive with the snacks. I requested Sabra hummus dip and chips. I love our football time together. I developed my affinity to football last season when I was in a nursing home. Since having ALS, I am unable to do so many activities that I gravitated to the television and hence, the sport of the season. Last year's Super Bowl wa...

I saw that incredible, historical comeback game from kick-off to that glorious winning touchdown by Kearse! What a fabulous time to be a new football fan, particularly a newly-minted fierce Seahawks football fan. I saw Richard Sherman catch that interception. It was awesome! And I suffered through the agonies of missed opportunities, fumbles, and the ticking clock. As hope started to wane, I witnessed the Packers miss a pass then all bets were off, the Legion of Boom was going after the Championship.

ALS support group meeting was today and so was the Seahawks vs 49ers game. What did we do? Support group. But the game was on. I got to watch a whole 5 minutes worth because we had a new person to support. It's what we do. Give back what was so freely given us. Love and support to our fellow ALS sufferer. Our newest member is under the impression that he's got some kind of control over this disease. I can relate. I ate healthy, keeping a journal, even taking up juicing. My ALS still progressed. I went to water aerobics and still progressed. I went to physical therapy and therapy came to my home. I exercised on my own and still I progressed. I went on the Deanna Protocol for two years and still I progressed. I prayed and I've been prayed over. I've been blessed at Assumption Abbey and I've been blessed repeatedly by a Catholic priest and I'm not Catholic! Still I progress. I fight this disease with everything I've got. And still I progress. I wish him well. ...

First of all, I would like to thank my friends and extended family at Life Care Center of Federal Way for joining me and making it possible for me to participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge. Without their gracious and capable care, I can do nothing. I would like to thank the millions of people who have taken the time to participate in this event, have learned about ALS, and who have reached into their wallets to support ALS research. I would also like to thank the ALS Association, particularly the Evergreen Chapter, who have given so much to many of us afflicted with ALS. Last, I want to thank the tens of thousands of us PALS (persons with ALS) who pull up their bootstraps every day and support each other and are literally, dying for a cure. I sincerely thank all of you for your love, well wishes, and support. God bless you. The preceeding was the speech I made prior to taking the Ice Bucket Challenge this past summer. I still feel that way today. This is my first Thanksgiv...

Had trouble getting to my blog today. Got up late, just in time for lunch. Got my "office" set up then logged in. (an everyday challenge) Just got to Blogger when I was pressured to go to the diningroom. I know better than to go in before 12:30 because I just sit there watching trays get passed and other people eating. Lunch gets delivered hot and on time but it cools before I get to it. Hot food is a thing of the past. As is healthy food. I get bored and leave my table. I get reeled back in but a pungent aroma hits me from the next table over. Oh! No way! I can't eat next to that smell and off I go again. I tell the aides what the problem is and none of them understand me. What a waste of time and energy! I head back to my office but see a nurse that understands me and I get my point across. The offensive odor gets neutralized and I get to eat my cold stew at 12:30. After lunch I get back to my office, get Blogger back up, and my massage therapist shows up. Now, I am...