My Dad went to the specialist this morning and ALS has been ruled out!!

As in, HE DOESN’T HAVE IT!

He’s going for a couple more tests tomorrow to make sure his heart isn’t causing the problem, but they’re pretty sure it’s due to a nerve in his neck.

I’m so glad that I didn’t let that disease into my mind.  I never read up on it and wasn’t going to until I knew for sure.

Dad told me that he was hoping the specialist would say he didn’t have it and I was waiting until this appointment before I made any decisions.  I’m SO GLAD I waited.  That isn’t to say that I wasn’t frantic and stressed at times (just ask Matt) but I think that had more to do with being so far away that I couldn’t do anything if there was something wrong.

Anyway, I’m just so excited!!  When I called Dad, he was at the Casino, celebrating!  I feel like I need to do something to celebrate too, but no, I’m stuck at work
At least now I can function without all that worry in the back of my mind! 

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts and prayers!! They totally worked!

This is new territory for me so I’m not sure how to handle it.  I think there’s going to be a lot of unwanted change over the next few months that will take some adjusting, but I just want to enjoy NOW and worry about what’s next LATER (much like my Dad).  Matt is the polar opposite and just wants to know what’s going to happen already!  That’s just another way we balance each other out. 
All I know right now is that I’m hoping to get to Vancouver for a visit early March for Spring vacation.

I’m not about to go sit in a corner feeling sorry for myself.  My dad’s not!  He’s planning on going on a Caribbean cruise with his wife (or soon to be, they’re getting married while there) in February! I told him he should go swimming with sharks and he said he would if he could!
That’s not to say that this last week hasn’t had an effect on me (I’m pretty sure I’ve cried more than I have in the last 2 years) but things happen, you deal with it and life goes on.  So we’re still going on our South Island trip, and it’ll be relaxing and fun, DAMMIT! Cause if it isn’t, I might go insane…I also want to do something that gives me a rush, so I’m thinking Bungy jumping. 

Before that, we’ll be spending Christmas at Matt’s Mom’s house.  This year there’s only 6 of us, but I’m sure it’ll be fun – his family is pretty great! Hopefully, the weather stays nice so we can sit on the deck and soak up the sun.

So yeah, that’s where I’m at right now – taking things as they come and hoping it all works out in the end.

Merry Christmas!