For my family, friends, business associates and all combinations

If you meant to come to the blog for Harry Andronis, you're in the right place. If not, welcome anyway. Since the beginning of my back problems in 2007 I have received calls, e-mails and letters of support. I have been given help from around the world. I am amazingly lucky to have such caring and loving people in my life. I cannot begin to tell you how much strength and drive it has given me. While the back surgery in February 2008 worked like a charm, it turned out to be the least of my problems. Continuing weakness in my legs and hands after the surgery led to the diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) in May of this year.

Due to the progressive nature of the illness I am finding it more and more difficult, physically, to type on a keyboard or talk on the phone. Hence, this blog. I will try to update on a semi-regular basis. I do not want to discourage contact. It is just becoming harder to always respond in a timely fashion. As you might imagine, some days are better than others. I'm not sure what I want to say or talk about. At times there may be more detail than you'd like but we'll see. I hope you'll follow along, send the good vibes, have a look at the gallery and the people or things in it, maybe leave a comment and keep those calls and letters coming.

I do want to acknowledge the unwavering support from my giant core of family/friends. You know who you are. I can never thank you for all that came before and now, or tell you enough what you mean to me......... forever.

By the way, read nothing into the color of the page. I like black. One of my favorite Zappa pieces is "The Black Page". Besides, "How much more black can it be? None... none more black." - Nigel Tufnell, 1980

Onward and upward..... h

Thursday, July 10, 2008

First post

The ALS diagnosis qualifies me for Medicare and Social Security benefits but I'm still wading through all the red tape. My friend Ricki Stein is actually dealing with all the red tape for me. I have signed up with the MDA/ALS Center and the ALS Association (ALSA). Last Saturday my brothers, Paul and Christ (who are currently visiting me) and Spencer Smyth (son of the infamous Bev and Smoother) picked up a specialized lounge chair that stands me up as my legs and arms grow steadily weaker. This is a loaner from ALSA. They have also loaned me an electric scooter until I qualify for Medicare and can purchase my own. In the meantime, I haven't decided whether I'm staying in Southern California or returning back to the Midwest. Having been here now for 30 years I feel that this is my home. While I love my blood and family in Chicago, my friends here (and elsewhere) have become family. It also is better in January. In the meantime, I am trying to organize the house so that whatever decision I make, it will be easier to execute. More soon......
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