Wednesday, February 22, 2012

RIP Mavis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), is a horrible disease that attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord which control voluntary muscle movement.  Starting from the extremities, a person loses the ability to walk, move their arms, their fingers etc. They lose the ability to hold their head up.  Finally, swallowing and breathing become impossible. The horrible part about the disease is that the person's mind is fine. They know exactly what is happening to them. 

Mavis had two children, both boys.  One living on the east coast.  The other living on the west coast.  She lived in the midwest.   Her oldest son was on his way to her bedside when she passed away last week. He was 30 minutes late.  Her funeral is today. 

She fought the good fight, graciously and with as much humor as she could muster.

Here she is, with her oldest son, Chris, a few months ago.  Shortly after this photo was taken, the family moved her to a hospice facility.

RIP Mavis.


1 comment:

  1. I know that was difficult for both you and your wife. I'm glad you were there for her when it mattered.

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