Updates from Hanna

A general update: celebrating the writing workshop in Ireland, experiencing both gratitude and the concern of progressing symptoms. Next up: a lot of doctor's appointments, and two months in South Africa.

A general update: Hanna is doing well, all things considered. She has a new ventilator and cough-assist device, and tools to help her communicate. The writing workshop in Ireland is going well. People have responded incredibly with financial support.

Hanna will be the featured speaker this Friday for the Creative Mornings event. It’s, you know, Creative Mornings, so if you want to start your day with coffee, interesting folks, and Hanna, it all starts at 8:30am.

Hanna's energy and mood continue to improve, though her symptoms are also progressing. Her mom visits soon, and Hanna has received a wonderful honor as a writer. We have an update on finances, and two ways to help financially.

Hanna is feeling much better than she was when we last updated you. As she and her circle settle into life with ALS, a wealth of support and resources have presented themselves. The sleep and breathing lab is delivering energy-restoring tools, and life continually offers episodes of joy.

A summary of the first visit to the University of Pittsburgh ALS clinic. The nut: Hanna's diagnosis is 90% for ALS. They'll pursue the other 10% while beginning treatment to slow progression of symptoms and prolong life. Also in this update: living with this hard news.

Hanna reports on a difficult week: feeling her failing abilities, getting Covid on the flight from Montana, feeling the threshold of disability.

A quick update on tests and ways to help, and a poem to accompany a moment from Montana.

Hanna is about to start a new medication, and an MG-specific EMG test happens in early March. We offer some useful resources on "help," and send greetings from Montana, where it is -20F.

The diagnostic process continues, and meanwhile life goes on. I find the "a monster has moved into the house" metaphor to be useful. Details about ways to support Hanna are coming soon!