A Letter to My Father

ALS - the Asshole of my life

If you don’t know what ALS is I have a few things to say….
1. You’re lucky
2. Why in the Hell does know one know about this?!

When my father told me that he had ALS I thought, “….ok…?”. My mind raised through my copius amounts of House and Grey’s Anatomy episode knowledge hoping that I could cleverly figure this one out like they have done on those shows. How many crazy things has House figured out?? And don’t those people in Grey’s Anatomy fix everything known to man? Then how in the F has no one in the year 2012 found a cure for this disease. I mean, Cancer has treatment and positive results, right? And then I think, well, my dad is one of the healthiest guys I know, he should be fine. Oh, loop hole…ALS really only attacks the more healthy of us. Better yet, it usually gets us when we’re young. I suppose the only saving grace in this stance is that my dad got it later on.

If ALS were a physical being, I would punch it. Actually, I have a better kick than I do punch, so watch out ALS, you’re gettin’ it in the grown! …I digress…

What it does.

In most cases people lose their motor functions. It can either have long plateus or, like in our case, move like a speeding bullet. That’s usually followed by breathing issues. Basically a huge pile of muck is what you’re left with. My father was hit with decreased breathing ability and has thus lost most of his strength. Now, remember, this guy hiked the Sierra Mountains maybe 3 years ago. So besides the breathing, the loss of body functions, I think the most cripling part of this disease is your pride. These people know their capabilities. They know where they were 4 years ago, 1 year ago…2 WEEKS ago. I have absolutely no problem waiting on my father. None whatsoever. But I know that he has the issue watching me and my family do it.

I have been home, with my parents, for a month now. I never could have expected the physical changes that I would be witness to. I want to ask how anyone ever prepares themselves for something like this. Really. Any answers? Cuz I’ve got non.

So, my letter to ALS goes as follows:

“Dear ALS,

I hate you. Go away.

With all the hate I can muster,

Elise.”

• 7 August 2012
• 3