Persistent lingering HACK. Interrupting normal flow of life HACK. No comfortable way to expel HACK HACK super-sized ball of phlegm from the back of my throoooooo. HACK HACK HACK. Pause to catch breath. Fire up the DeVilbiss suction machine. Insert into mouth. Bzzzzzz bzzzzzz bzzzzzz. Remove the wand. Reinsert into other side of mouth. Bzzzzzz. Several minutes of relative peace and quiet. hack hack. Coughing since Christmas hack. Wake up tired hack HACK head full of Nyquil. How much more hack HACK HACK of this hack HACK ’til it breaks HACK my hack hack spi…
It’s been nearly three years since my D (for Diagnosis) Day and I have always considered myself to be a person living with a terminal disease as opposed to dying of a terminal disease. As of late, however, a small but nagging and relatively persistent train of thought has derailed my locomotive of positivity. For the first time in all my forty-one plus years of life have I ever contemplated the concept of my endgame. I assure myself that these thoughts are directly correlated to my being sick with this cold but they still make me feel sad and alone.
Without prompting she walks across the room to my recliner and asks me if I would like to have my hair brushed. I nod my ascent vigorously and without hesitation. She climbs up the armrest and seats herself on my left hand side. She begins running the red comb through my hair as she tells me how beautiful it’s going to look when she’s done. Then she hops off my lap in order to retrieve the small plastic hair dryer she needs to use of my head of lettuce. For the next few minutes, my daughter sits with me combing and drying my hair and talking to me about nice it looks now. You couldn’t have combed the smile off my face with all the combs and brushes in the world.
The Adventures of ALS Boy 
What a sweet child and what a lucky father to have such a sweet child 🙂
Nothing like a child to take you out of yourself and remind you of love!
Thanks, Emma, for brushing away your daddy’s doom and gloom!
Nothing like a lingering cold to mess up perspective. Hope you get through it soon my friend.
Thinking of you, Jason. Lots of love from the arctic Midwest.
Jason,
You will feel much better once this stupid Hacking is over with.
Stay in good spirit and God will watch out for you.
Love you tons.
Hang in there, buddy.
We love you Jason!!!!
What an incredible blessing for you to have an amazing daughter like Emma – and for her to have a wonderful father like you.
Jason, although life is filled with uncertainty, one thing you should be absolutely certain of is that you are not alone in any of this. Emma and I aren’t going anywhere…..she will be your hairdresser for life….and I will will be your wife for life (even if it costs you millions of points….inside joke…..Jason knows what I’m talking about, right?).
Your connection with each other is true love. If your account needs more points, should it run low, I would happily give you my extras.
You and your family are an inspiration. You all hooked me with the soiled baby diaper on the windshield of the illegally parked car.
Sending wishes fir happiness and good health.
Patrick
I’m a little late chiming in my support, and I know you’re feeling a bit better by now. I was so touched at your daughter’s perfect perception that you needed some TLC just then.
I’m sending warmest thoughts your way and hope that you continue to feel better and vacuum out the gunk till the hack is gone.
Karen
You are in my heart Jason and I pray for you everyday. Thank you Emma for making Daddy look even more handsome than he already does. Being in Fehmeen’s class everyday makes me feel close to you. See you soon and Keep The Faith! Love, Michele