Back in September of 2004 I was noticing some loss of feeling in my right hand, particularly the thumb and index finger.  I noticed it was hard to button my dress shirt getting ready for church.  I ignored it for a few months.  I decided to go see my primary physician after I got back from my mission trip from Vietnam and China.  They noticed definite weakness and referred me to a specialist.  After many appointments, they decided to do neck surgery and fuse my vertebrae together.  This was done June of 2005 and did not help the situation, though I was hopeful it would.  I was finally referred to a neurologist in 2006 and after my third EMG (the previous ones were done prior to my surgery) the neurologist said I had Multi Focal Motor Neuropathy with Conduction block.  I was told this was similar to ALS, but curable with infusions of IVig every 3 weeks.  I was receiving these infusions of “liquid gold” (named for the high cost) for over a year assuming my doctors knew what was best.  I was not getting any better.  It actually spread to my left hand in February of 2007 the same way it started in my right hand.  My right hand had atrophied so much that I could no longer use my right arm.  I had learned to compensate by doing things with my left hand and arm.  I am right hand dominate, so this was difficult and things just plain took longer to do.

I finally insisted that my Doctor send me to Mayo Clinic to get a second opinion and hopefully a new treatment plan.  My wife, Lori and I left for Rochester, MN on May 14th and went through a week of testing at the Mayo Clinic with their neurologist.  At the end of that week, the doctor concluded that I had ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  My wife and I had great concern that this was a possibility when we left, but to hear those words from our doctor was overwhelming, especially to Lori.  I just sat there numb as the neurologist explained the fact that there is no known cause of this and no known cure.  The average life span of this disease from the time of diagnosis is 2-5 years.  I had already been struggling with this disease for 3 years.  What did that mean?  What if you got a late diagnosis, does it start from there?  What about my kids?  I have two beautiful children, Zachary (10) and Madison (4).  How will I share this news with them? Will they grow up without a father?  How will I support my family if I can’t work?  All of these thoughts went through our heads as we took on this new diagnosis.  Would our life ever be the same?

One thing you think about is how life is such a gift!  Every day we have together is precious.  You want to say I love you more, spend more time with those you love, make sure you are doing God’s will and serving him with your life.  You wonder why everyone doesn’t live this way every day because we never know when we will take our last breath, any one of us.  The things that were important before didn’t seem to matter as much.  We talked on the flight home about things we want to do as a family such as a trip to Disney World with the kids, get a dog, I’ve always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.  We want to take more pictures and create memories that will last.  Our family and friends took the news hard and have rallied around us in prayer and support and love!  We are so thankful for them.  We had over 100 friends and family join our team “the Fox Trotters” in the Walk to D’feet ALS in August and raised more money than we ever could have imagined to support the ALS Association. We felt so much love and support throughout that day.

Don’t get me wrong, I have not given up on life, I plan to fight this all the way until I am healed or meet Jesus face to face.  I have given up all junk food and am eating mostly natural or organic food and taking lots of supplements to help my body be in the best shape it can to fight the disease.  I try to rest more and read books that help me spiritually and educate me on this disease.  I want to help create awareness of this disease and generate income for research and take part in any way I can.  I have to say I could not get through a day without my faith in God and He sustains me and my family.  His Word is truth and gives us hope.  One of the verses we have committed to memory is 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. “ Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes, not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  We have so many scriptures that lift us up and renew our hope.  God is not finished with me yet and I know He has a plan for my life.  My goal is to stay in his plan and glorify Him in what I do.  Do I get down or discouraged? Yes, it is frustrating not being able to do the things I used to do or enjoy.  Every morning is a struggle to get showered and dressed.  I want my hands to work again so badly.  We take it for granted when we have our health until we lose it.  Life has changed and we are adapting to a new lifestyle and it is hard, but God is good!  I leave you with a verse that Pastor Ed Dobson reminded me of Hebrews 13:5-6 “…be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?”

Please feel free to contact me and share your story at info@ericfox.us