I Love You, Kim!

Many of you know that after I graduated from high school, I went to Ricks College (now BYU Idaho) for 2 years. (This is not the best picture from that time, but it IS the only digital one I have, thanks to Jana's blog. Note to self - need scanner!!!) It was the best. Not only did I meet my future husband, I had incredible roommates, who I still keep in touch with and who are some of my most faithful blog commenters;). We had the funnest times living together . . . some of my best memories!! Each one of them influenced my life for good. One of those roomies was Kim. Kim is from TX and has all the spunk of TX wrapped up inside of her (and exploding from her!). She was a blast to live with and always kept us laughing.

A few years after we were roomies, Kim was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigs disease). At the end of October, I am meeting two other former roomies in San Antonio to visit Kim! I am so excited to see all of them. We are going to participate in the Walk to D'Feet ALS. For years, we have discussed the idea of meeting for the walk, and I am so happy we are finally making it happen. I am fundraising money to help Kim's cause as part of the walk. Every little bit helps. There is a link here on my blog to my "personal walk page" if you would like to donate. This second picture is of Kim in 2001 at another "roomie reunion" in Idaho.

Here is Kim's story...

"I was diagnosed with ALS in 2002 but I had symptoms since 1997. I went to college in Idaho right after high school and waited tables for the bills. A year later, I took notice that I was tripping and losing my balance every so often, which I shrugged off as clumsiness. Then my right leg started dragging and I walked with a slight limp. In ’99, I decided to go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (aka The Mormons). SO, I went for a physical as required, and that was the first time it ever occurred to me that there might be something wrong. The doc… thought I had Multiple Sclerosis, so he referred me to a specialist that did a million tests but couldn’t find anything and said I was fine.

So, I went on my mission to Cherryhill, New Jersey where I taught Spanish speaking people about Jesus Christ. All the while my symptoms worsened. I began getting cramps and small twitches in my hands, arms, legs, and feet. Basically, anywhere I had a muscle it would cramp or twitch at some point. I fell down stairs. My hands got weaker. I limped and tripped enough to become very self conscious. It got too hard. I felt like I was hindering our work instead of helping it. Only making it halfway through my mission, I threw in the towel and went home. The doctors had no idea what it could be. One doctor told me I was just depressed, another told me it was probably all in my head…. It was a hard 4 years of testing and waiting and guessing and second guessing. I even began to think “maybe it is just in my head”.

I moved back to Idaho in 2001 and stayed with family (unofficial adopted family) Randy and Sherie Schwendiman, while I saw a Doc in Salt Lake City, Utah…. He gave me a pre-diagnosis of ALS and assured me that it was NOT all in my head. He said that no one thought of ALS because of my age. It’s not too often that a 23 year old girl gets a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig disease. I then decided to travel while I still could, because road trippin is my MOST favorite thing to do. So, thanks to the Schwendimans, and my credit card, I traveled all over the U.S., and more. I always had family and/or friends to share the adventures and make fun memories….

During all of this excitement, in 2002, I moved back home to Texas, sold my car, and waited for a miracle. I found a great doctor that diagnosed me quickly using all the previous tests results and adding a few more. In’03, I started losing my independence, I needed help cooking n’ cleaning my apartment. In ’04 I started using a wheelchair and had to be fed by someone else. By the end of ’04 I was bed/recliner ridden with the exception of being able to walk (shuffle) 10 steps with someone holding me up. Nowadays I can’t still walk those same 10 steps, just s.l.o.w.e.r. and wobblier. I have been spending my time (and I have a lot of time!) on the internet trying to find ways to promote the Walk To D’Feet ALS awareness, and collect donations….
Well, my sister Kathleen and her family live with me and she takes care of me. Her and my mom are stuck with me 24/7! My poor, poor family! I’m totally dependent on other people now, which is completely opposite of what I was 10 years ago, or even 5 years ago. But you gotta take what God gives you. I know He is aware of my situation and I’m ready for what lies ahead. The doctors said there is no hope, but I truly don’t feel that way. I am full of hope (among other things…). I trust God more than I trust my doctors, and I have really good doctors! I’m just waiting for a miracle. I know I will be ok. It’s only a matter of time a patience."

Kim, you are the best and I love you!!!!!!