A Little Hitch in My Get Along

( Sherrie @ http://happytiler.blogspot.com/ made this for my birthday. )

I have spent the last nine days in a beautiful fog of joy and gratitude. I started this month with a fire in my belly for the ALS walk, to that familiar old fear of falling, to the anxiety of overnight family stays. Everything I have learned in my 17yrs with ALS was put to good use over the last 11 days. Gratitude for love, patience when things get hard and someone up there is watching out for me.

I had checked my emails in between outings, dinners and games. Imagine my surprise to learn that we have at least 20 walkers and have raised over $800 dollars. Some of my friend's and people I don't even know are fundraising on their own for me. I'm speechless, which is saying a whole lot if you know me. THANK YOU WARRIORS!

The fall last week could have ruined my birthday plans, but my brother saved it. He was there while Dave was working. I laughed through his whole stay and was grateful for his "don't sweat the small stuff" attitude. We have been seen racing through the Longs parking lot, me in a wheelchair, to catch a shuttle. Coming and going out of restaurants, without a walker, stumbling and laughing as if drunk. Trying to shove me, a 118lb one armed rag doll, in and out of his truck(gently). He even had to help me get untangled from my clothes while dressing, due to my one bad hand. Clean my tattoo and help me eat, without batting an eye. His joking manner took the hard things and made them fun.

My oldest came back up to visit with my dad and brother, while they were here. I started to stress out over details , but Michelle stepped up. She was VERY helpful and even showered and dressed me. Being one handed and tired, it felt great to be pampered. Women just instinctively know what other women need. Her and Dave worked as a team and that is how I'd always dreamed it would be. Everyone loved the house, especially my dad. Did I mention I also took everyone's money in poker. TeeHee

I took Friday morning to slip off to see my doctor about my sinuses. She spotted my swollen wrist and said we need to x-ray that. I said nah, it's fine see? wiggling all my fingers at her. It was not as sore as my re-injured shoulder, it couldn't be broken. Wrong! I broke my dang wrist! So Tuesday I go back to the Ortho guy to get fixed, splinted or whatever. I had refused to go to an ER on a weekend with more family coming in. My blogging and walking have been limited by the injury, but I've caught up with my blog reading. I must wait to see what they do before I start commenting and posting regularly. I'm a tad paranoid about falling now because I've been reminded that, for me, walking is a privilege. You can't use a walker with one hand.

My friend Renee' brought her whole family up for a birthday visit. She has been my friend since the fourth grade. I was at her wedding to Jack and watched these beautiful children grow up( Monica 16 & Jessy 21). That was a great gift all by itself, but she always makes swiss steak and real mashed potatoes for me too. She owns a day spa and brought spa goodies and a big bag of her special chocolate chip cookies She looks FABULOUS for 47!

When I am cured these emotions and kindness will be what I carry with me. This is why I fight and yet embrace the lessons ALS has brought. I watched "The Music Within" last night and it was about the man who fought for the passing of the ADA (American Disabilities Act). We have come along way in the way we treat the disabled. The money I raise will help money for a cure, but also to give patients resources for a better quality of life.

You can become a part of "Tammy's Warriors" on the Sacramento chapter ALS Walk on Oct. 25th. here http://web.alsa.org/goto/TammyWarrriors