[Dialogue] Fred's Health

[Mary D'Souza]

Dear Nancy and Fred,

All of us get strange assignments.

Thank you for your statement of faith.
With deep love and respect,
Mary


On 2/4/08, Fred Lanphear <fred at songaia.com> wrote:
>
> Dear Friends,
>
> Our lives continue to be full of adventure and and wonderful
> relationships.  We want to share a new part of our Journey together
> which began when Fred received a medical diagnosis  about a month ago
> for the symptoms he was experiencing, one we had never imagined.
>
> After seeming to "grow old" too soon and too quickly, Fred has been
> medically diagnosed with ALS or "Lou Gehrig's" disease.  Since being
> given this "new assignment", he is deciding what he wants to do in
> the next months or years that he is still functional.  We do not know
> just how this condition will play out but we do have lots of support
> from family and community.  The best of all worlds, he will be able
> to be at home with lots of medical and "machine" support.  We will
> still be traveling; Mexico this coming Wednesday through 2/26,
> Cincinnati and New Mexico in May/June, and RI soon after that.  We
> would also like to be present at Fred's 55th high school reunion but
> we will take life as it comes.  His breathing capabilities may be a
> determining factor.
>
> Bruce came out for a week 1/24-1/31 to spend time with us and the
> rest of the family.  He and Nancy are quite sure they will be moving
> to Vancouver, B.C. Canada sometime this coming summer.  It couldn't
> be a better time for them to be close.  Our family had good
> conversations with many tears and lots of laughter as we try to take
> in what this will mean for us.  Although there are a few research
> studies being done, this condition is very "mysterious" with no clear
> picture of its cause and no treatment except one drug, its effect is
> still limited. The book and video, "Tuesdays with Morrie" is an
> excellent story of a man with ALS.  After watching it the other
> night, we felt it could even be shown to children 9+.
>
> I am ready to take on the role of primary caretaker and realize that
> it will be a huge undertaking.  The emotional and physical energy
> required is enormous.  Fred has been my life's partner for 50 years
> and the thought of not having him with me is scary, this disease as
> well.  However, he is seeing the rest of his life as very much a part
> of his spiritual path and we will travel it with respect and
> acceptance.  We hope to be able to celebrate our 50th "jubilee"
> anniversary together, but are planning to begin that celebration
> now.  It has been an unbelievably wonderful life we have had together
> and with our children.   Our lives are very good just as they are -
> we are loved and blessed.
>
> You are all loved,
>
> Nancy and Fred
>
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