Thursday 10 January 2013

Who Are You?

I get curious some mornings about who reads this blog of mine and how often. I know that some of you are family and friends. Some of you have joined the site and the blog shows who you are. But what I don't know is how often you are here or why you came.

Over the last month there have been 1,200 "pageviews" from Canada and 300 from the US. I can understand that. Then there are pageviews from places like the United Kingdom (12), Germany (8), South Korea (7), France (2), Ireland (2), Sweden (2), Israel (1), and of all places, Senegal (2).

As I say, many of you are family and friends, or friends of friends and family. Some of you are here because you know and care about me; you want to stay in touch. Others of you are here because you know my family and care about them and thus me through extension. Some of you have specifically said you are reading my blog because you want to know how I am doing and you are doing this because you are friends with my Mom. Others are folks that I know and love here in Calgary. But South Korea? France? Senegal?

I am fascinated by the way the Internet reaches out, webbing the world in its strands and threads. According to Google statistics, people have found my blog by searching for information on ALS and stress or even just ALS. Others click in my Mom's blog and use that to get to my blog. Others search for my name and blog using Google itself. Others get here by wandering the blogosphere and landing quite by accident on my Blogspot page.

Equally fascinating is the way my experience can be valued by people I don't even know, people who are interested in the way my life has changed, my disease, my thoughts, they way I feel my feelings. All this can be read, interpreted, pondered and considered by individuals from all over the earth, from all walks of life, from all experiences and states of mind. All I have to do is write something and people read it. I am in constant wonder that this happens and that you are here.

Tell me! Who are you? Why are you here?

14 comments:

  1. My daughter & I visit your site. She was diagnosed with ALS 6 months ago. She is only 27 years old and the mother of two beautiful daughters. We live in British Columbia Canada. I am more devastated than she is. I cry everyday but not in front of her. I'm sure she knows that and if she didn't, she does now.

    Laura

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    1. Hi Laura

      Youthful onset of ALS is so devastating. I am sure my Mom crys daily. I have asked her not to do it and not to be too emotional in responding to me. I call her every day.

      Everying about this disease is tiring and I am certain your daughter knows how you feel. From my perspective one of the most tiring things is managing the feelings of those people around me.

      One day I will post about this, and the anger that I feel about getting ALS and what it is doing to my life. But for now I have to say that I am really grateful for the positive support from my Mom and how hard she works to keep her emotions in check when we talk.

      Your daughter is lucky to have you, and her children. I have three daughters and a son, and I feel lucky to have them in my life.

      I used to live in Abbotsford and the coast is still my favourite place. BC is such an amazing province and such a wonderful place to live.

      And by the way, she knew already. She does too.

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  2. me, extended family... by email, read daily... so I can keep up with your journey and know more specifically how to pray. sending love and thanks for your many insights and humour too!

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  3. Big brother, living in Louisiana. I'm here because how could I not be. I've known you since the day you came home from the hospital and wouldn't eat any raisins.

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  4. I am a retired RN. I read your mom's blog and now I read yours too. You both are interesting talented writers. I have some medical understanding but with 10 years of retirement, I'm realizing how the medical field has changed. Keep up the good work!

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  5. Hey Dad, it's Kate- was just in Senegal last week reading your blog. School had some pretty sweet field trips!

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  6. Hello, my old friend. I drop in on your blog every other day or so. Throughout the 27 years I have known you, you have always had some original thoughts and an ability to express those thoughts clearly and concisely. You also have the ability to occasionally say something really stupid. I am constantly on the look-out for you to give me the opportunity to rib you, mock you, or, in extreme circumstances, support you. ;-)

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  7. I am reading your blog from the USA and came by way of your mom's blog. I visit every 2-3 days to see how you are doing and because I am learning from you. In one of your early blog entries you talked about timelines. We all have a timeline, but some of us don't know how long our timeline will last. You discussed making a choice between a happy, but short life or a long life with less happiness (not your exact words). Your posts give me a lot to think about. Everyone has something they struggle with, but not everyone can be so open. I respect your candor and see it as a gift that you are willing to share your life in your blog. Thank you.

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  8. I'm a friend of Kate's. I've met you a couple of times in your house in Abbotsford. The last time we met, you were on packing up stuff for a hunting trip with Kate and your Dad. :) Kate mentioned your blog when I saw her over Christmas but today's the first day I came here. I read today's entry (Jan. 24th), read a few more of the previous posts, then started at the beginning. Feeling the up and down emotions, feeling torn inside for both you and your family, appreciating your gift of communication and your honesty. I'm sure your blog will be a help to others.

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  9. Richard, I live in Austin, TX and I came upon your blog while searching for some answers - mainly when should I get my husband a cane, walker or wheelchair. My husband age 52 was diagnosed with ALS in Feb. He has Dementia also, which means at this point, he doesn't know what is going on with him and thinks he has arthritis in his hands! His doctor said we probably shouldn;t beat this into him, may be a blessing he doesn;t know what is going on. He is having troubles moving around, lifting his leg, pulling up pants, etc. and I didn't know if I should wait until he needs assistance or if I should get him something now to preserve what strength he has left. Anyways, I still want to read your blog, am at work right now and have to end this conversation - My name is Debbie and I would like to talk with you!!

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  10. Hi Debbie

    Please feel free to email me directly. The link is on the right of the blog page. My address is rmcbride@rama.com.

    If I can offer any single piece of advice or guidance it would be the one my case manager gave to me; if you think you need it, you do. Don't delay if you can afford not to. Start with support early. Get assistive devices early. Preserve his strength; save it for important things like spending quality time with you.

    Good luck and feel free to reach out. You might also want to sign on to Patients Like Me. It is a great resource.

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  11. Hi. My name is Cary and I live in Moncton, NB. My uncle was just diagnosed with ALS and I just typed in "ALS Blog" into Google and came across your blog. Basically, I'm just trying to learn as much as I can about it. While reading medical info is good for a basic understanding, I am enjoying your blog as it gives a more personal perspective.

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    1. Hi Cary

      There are others in your spot, right there in the Maritimes with you. You might consider reaching out to the ALS Society of New Brunswick and the ALS Society of Nova Scotia. There are readers of my blog from both places. Please feel free to send me an email if you want any more information, or just someone to talk to.

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  12. Never fear that your blog isn't important! Your blog is giving me a perspective for the potential progression of this and that is like a Godsend to me.
    My husband has what they think is "most likely ALS" and we will visit the neurologist on Wednesday April 22 for the results of the "gallon" of blood they took for testing.
    I have read so many technical papers regarding clinical trials and research studies but your blog is so uplifting just from the perspective you have given me a view to some of the emotional impact ALS has on you--and by default my husband who is not very talkative especially regarding his feelings unless I ask the right questions. Just seeing the progression of the disease and the emotions involved is tremendously helpful and I thank you for taking the time to do this!
    We are just south of you in Spokane, WA.

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