[Oe List ...] Fred's health note

[Wilson Priscilla]

Dear Nancy and Fred,
Our hearts are with you as you start this new phase of life's journey.
Ever since I read your email earlier this morning I've been walking  
down memory lane.
I first thought of the absolutely delightful day in Oregon a little  
over a year ago. I have been so glad we got such good pictures of  
four very happy people (us and you) to look back on.
Then I remembered arriving in Chickale by taxi to spend time with you  
in that village...and the delightful time together in Bombay after that.
The walk through Kawangware followed by my gradual slide into major  
illness and Nancy saving my live by getting me to the hospital in the  
middle of the night.
Of course, the fact that you were here in KC in the student house  
when we moved here was such a gift for us.
The next time we come to Oregon to see son Tim...we'll drive up to  
see you...it's our turn to travel to renew our times together.
It is amazing when we stop and remember all the precious times we've  
shared...
Thanks for letting us be a part of this new journey by sharing the  
situation with us...and all your colleagues.
With love,
Priscilla

On Feb 3, 2008, at 7:12 PM, Nancy Lanphear 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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>

Priscilla Wilson
TeamTech Press
Mission Hills, KS 66208
pwilson at teamtechinc.com



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