Nancy Asks: Recently I've seen obituaries that mention ALS. Did you know them from the support groups?

In the support groups, we have made friends with others who have died and its always sad. One of my close friends from the group died last year. She told me she was tired. For some, ALS symptoms can be painful. I think many worry about the burden their care places on loved ones. Some just don’t want to live with a trach.

I am so grateful that I have no pain, and for the love of my family and two wonderful caregivers, and for enough strength to enjoy living this way.

My Favorite Music

Deborah asks: What is your favorite music these days? Alex asks: Who is your favorite singer? And Clay asks: Who is your favorite musical group?

When I used to sing I sang Mexican folk songs like Malagueña. I still enjoy music in Spanish and I like Juanes' CD "Un Día Normal" and Los Lonely Boys' CD "Los Lonely Boys".

Lately I have also been enjoying Michael Buble's CD "Crazy Love". Michael's arrangements of familiar songs remind me of my Mom's style when she used to sing.

But my all-time favorite singer is someone whose songs Pete and I used to sing together and whose concerts we still go to: James Taylor. I love listening to his concert CD "One Man Band" and also his recent CD with Carole King.

Thanks again to all of you who are still asking questions. I am having fun answering them.

Love,

Dewie

Barbara Asks: Are you Keeping Pete Under Control?

Thanks, Barbara - I couldn't resist this question!

Yes, I am!

I've played so many tricks on him and he is so wonderful and loving to me. We are having fun together. They say it takes a long time to train a husband, and they say a woman's work is never done - but in this case, maybe it is!

What about you? (same question)

Marlene Asks: When you wake up in the morning, what are your thoughts before you start the day?

Marlene, I'm afraid I don't have a deep answer because the truth is my thoughts center around my needs and my world has gotten smaller. Or, to put it differently, you could say I've finally learned how to live in the moment! I think I'm pretty positive, though.

(From Pete: Indeed Dewie is positive. And even though her "world has gotten smaller", she still impresses me daily with her incredible thoughtfulness of others.)

Thanks for the Questions

Thank you to everyone who has repsonded here or by email with questions. Deborah asked if I remember the womens' retreats we had in Bixby Canyon. Yes I do. I loved our group. Those retreats were in 1975 and 1976 when my beautiful Mom and her John were going strong there in Bixby. They made us welcome in that very special place. Today John's son Peter still lives there and my aunt has built a house on the lot right next door. I was there last in late September of 2004 for a family memorial for Mom, who moved to Plano and lived close to us for her last few years. Thank you for reminding me of such a good memory.

Thanks again to everyone for your responses. I have many questions to answer now and I'm excited for the chance to communicate. Keep the questions coming. This is fun!

Love,

Dewie

Ask Me a Question

One thing I really miss is talking with people like I used to. My alphabet board is slow and the pace of normal conversation is fast. But with written communication, the pace is slow and I can participate. So I have an idea to allow more interaction between me and my loved ones (that's you). Its a game called "Ask Dewie", where you ask me something and I can answer on this blog. So if you have a question for me, just reply here or email and I will answer. To reply here just click on "Comments" below and scroll down to the white box. You wanna give it a try? Ask away!

Love,

Dewie