Health – I have noticed that I am beginning to slightly drag my left foot when I walk. On the uneven bricks outside of my office I often catch my shoe on a brick that’s a bit higher than the others. I’ve read that Lou Gehrig’s friend noticed that Lou was not wearing golf shoes when they golfed, that was a turning point for him. My hands and arms continue to weaken, when I filled my car was gas yesterday ($4.319/gal) I had trouble getting the gas cap back on, but I finally managed.

About Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Excerpts and Content Provided By © Estate of Eleanor Gehrig c/o CMG Worldwide

(http://www.als.ca/lou_gehrigs_disease.aspx)

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal disease. The disease had its name coined after a great American baseball player. Following is a brief article about Lou Gehrig and the disease named after the baseball player.

In 1938, Lou Gehrig fell below .300 for the first time since 1925 and it was clear that there was something wrong. He lacked his usual strength. Pitches he would have hit for home runs were only flyouts. Doctors diagnosed a gall bladder problem first, and they put him on a bland diet, which only made him weaker. Teammate Wes Ferrell noticed that on the golf course, instead of wearing golf cleats, Lou Gehrig was wearing tennis shoes and sliding his feet along the ground. Ferrell was frightened. When asked if he would remove Gehrig from the lineup, manager Joe McCarthy said, “That’s Lou’s decision.”

Lou Gehrig played the first eight games of the 1939 season, but he managed only four hits. On a ball hit back to pitcher Johnny Murphy, Gehrig had trouble getting to first in time for the throw. When he returned to the dugout, his teammates complimented him on the “good play.” Gehrig knew when his fellow Yankees had to congratulate him for stumbling into an average catch it was time to leave. He took himself out of the game. On May 2, 1939, as Yankee captain, he took the lineup card to the umpires, as usual. But his name was not on the roster. Babe Dahlgren was stationed at first. The game announcer intoned, “Ladies and gentlemen, Lou Gehrig’s consecutive streak of 2,130 games played has ended.”

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic diagnosed Lou Gehrig with a very rare form of degenerative disease: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is now called Lou Gehrig’s disease. There was no chance he would ever play baseball again.
You can read more about Lou Gehrig here.

Left Hand – about 60%, frequent fasciculations, less cramping, little atrophy
Right Hand – about 70%, frequent fasciculations, less cramping, little atrophy

Left Arm – about 95%, frequent fasciculations, some cramping, atrophy showing
Right Arm – still 100% about 90%, frequent fasciculations, some cramping, atrophy showing

Neck – rare fasciculations

Phrases Recorded – 6 out of 20

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The “Guides” there told us that we would be led into the studio in the same order, bench by bench. As we sat and sat, the waiting area’s benches filled up, then the space was filled with more audience members standing between the benches. Our bench was at one end of the waiting area, then at 6PM or so, they said to start entering the studio from the door FARTHEST AWAY FROM US. So, instead of being at the front of the line, we were instantly in the back of the line.

We politely, and socially-legally, pushed our way near the front of the group and we ended up, in the “pit”, at the right side of the stage about 3 people back from the stage, in other words, we were in a good position. This show The Next Great American Band is kinda like American Idol (it’s on the same network (FOX) and produced by the same people).

There was a guy on stage that was the guy that was supposed to get the crowd excited and ready for the bands. This was the final show of the season, the bands were down to three:

The Clark Brothers

Denver and the Mile High Orchestra

Sixwire

It was a Christmas show TOO, so they did their songs and then played some Christmas songs with some of the Top 7 bands from the competition. It was fun, but we had to stand and clap our hands above our heads until 9PM or so. My feet were killing me.

I know who wins, but I won’t post it here, the show will air on Friday Dec 21. If anyone has to know in advance email me and I will tell ya. It was a lot of fun, good bands, good music, and the back of my head will be National TV this Friday!!

I have actually seen this video a couple of years ago, I think, but didn’t really know who she was. Now I do, and I love her style!