Had a great time attending Hillary’s graduation last weekend; especially getting to meet much of Cindy’s extended family at the grad party Friday night. If I were given the chance to select a family of in-laws, I honestly believe I couldn’t have done any better. I’m a very lucky man to have such a loving, down-to-earth, God-fearing family. We stayed at the Holiday Inn at Childress Vineyards, very picturesque, reminded me of Germany. 
Our room was nice, the most accessible they had. We had a local med supply company bring a hospital bed in, fully automatic, worth every penny. Bathroom had a roll-in shower. Richard Childress’s home is beautiful, sits among more vineyards in a different location in town. The graduation ceremony was at 9am Saturday morning, so we had to be up at 6 to get ready and make the drive. It was on the football field, and must’ve been 85 by the time they filed in. It was a nice ceremony, Maura and I having fun with the air and bicycle horns we took. Thanks to Dustin for saving our seats, and to his mom for her golf umbrella that kept the sun off me.
I’ve updated my Functional Rating Scale(FRS). I dropped 3 points in the last year. The most notable change has been with breathing and eating. It’s getting pretty hard to breathe from the time I lay down until my BiPAP mask is on. As for eating, I’m mostly eating for enjoyment alone, and the fact that completely giving up eating by mouth is to deny me one of life’s greatest joys. Not planning on stopping anytime soon. Trying to stay on the somewhat healthy side, pureed salads are pretty tasty and easy to swallow, no nuts, croutons etc.
I’m playing with a couple new WordPress plug-ins, one that links key words to the glossary page, and provides a definition or expansion on mouseover. Added a few notable links recently, one being ALS.needlist.org, kind of a Craigslist for PALS, great idea. Also the Mount’n Mover wheelchair mount and the MND Association, NW Europe’s version of the ALS Association.
In the last two weeks, I’ve canceled a Duke clinic appointment, and a surgical pre-op for a butt-scope. The clinic day started as we awoke to a bad thunderstorm. Traveling with ALS is difficult enough without the added stress of driving in a bad storm, and really felt I actually wouldn’t benefit enough from going that particular day. The butt-scope, well, I’ve had several before, thanks to my IBS history, and anyone who’s been to the VA here for knows the pre-op appointment is always a two or three hour wait for a 10-minute appointment, ridiculous. Living with ALS is bad enough without that. Speaking of the VA, hopefully the renovation grant has been submitted to Atlanta by now. And I’ve been in this chair five years now, so I’m supposed to be getting a new one soon.
Cindy continues to amaze me on a daily basis, she has such a good heart, and works so hard to keep me and this house straight. And Maura is right behind her, such a great help…and huge imagination. She should be a Disney imagineer. I thank God for every day I’m able to open my eyes and take a breath. The rest is endless blessings.
Because I have only limited functional use of one hand, I use 
You continue to amaze me with your eloquent narrative of life with ALS. Thanks for being you and sharing so much of yourself with all of us. We are taking a hiatus for July and August with the support group so may not see you until September unless you come to Duke. Email me if you want to. Give my best to Maura and Cindy. Love ya.