The Beginning

Throughout the spring/summer of 2010, I was experiencing a variety of issues that weren't making sense. I seemed to be losing strength during my workouts, was having pretty consistent twitching throughout my body, during a training roadtrip in July I felt my voice projection was weak and some words jumbled, and then, most concerning, my golf game went to the shits!
Off to our family GP in August, then onto a neurosurgeon and after MRI's, EMG's, blood work, poking and prodding, we arrived at the neurosurgeon's for results.
On November 17th 2010, Susan and I received the news of my ALS diagnosis. (What is ALS? http://www.alsont.ca/ )When they talk about surreal events happening in your life this was truly one of them. We were literally in the doctor's office for 15 minutes, got the news, some instructions and then left. We got into the car, broke down and could not just believe what had happened. We had expected some sort of diagnosis/response but instead received, what we felt, was the worst possible news.
After we somewhat composed ourselves we headed home and then had to take the agonizing step of sharing the news with our family. That burden fell on Susan as every time I attempted the words I ended up gasping for air and couldn't finish a sentence. I'm sure when we said "for better for worse, in sickness and in health" we didn't know we were signing up for this! Susan was my rock getting through the beginning, and still today. Though the things she thinks of it at those life changing moments, hmmm, more on that another time!
All the conversations were difficult, but most difficult was telling my sister, Pam. She had lost her friend, Gail, in 2010 to ALS. She had already experienced the journey with Gail, and more than any of us, knew about what we were in for, long before our grasp of it all. It doesn't seem fair that one of the nicest people in the world, my sister,  should have to go through such a thing once, nonetheless twice.
Fast forward, over the next couple of months, through to Christmas, we were directed to the ALS Clinic at McMaster Hospital in Hamilton. Lots more poking and prodding to confirm the diagnosis and eliminate "mimic"/similar diseases: Parkinsons, MS, West Nile to name a few. We met the clinic team. The clinic is really what I call a "one stop shop". They have an entire team dedicated to ALS patients and their families. We are fortunate to have the clinic so close and it has provided relief and comfort to us as we continue to educate ourselves on ALS.
We then shared the news with our close friends and extended family. The support and love we have received, is not surprising based on our family and friends, but overwhelming. Not a day goes by without someone checking in on how we are doing.
In 2011, to date, we have had a few visits to the clinic, and continue to gather a better understanding of the changes ahead and the benchmarks on my progression of ALS.