Well, I guess I spoke too soon with my previous thread, thinking that it could very well be my last, as the initial diagnosis of ALS back on July 13th was utterly devastating. As mentioned in that thread, a month later I was sent to a specialized clinic in Vancouver where, while it was confirmed that I do indeed have ALS, it looks like I have a more slower progressing form of it, known as PLS.
The first few weeks after the initial diagnosis were just awful, given the thought of 2-5 years to live. It meant the selling of our house (in favour of a wheelchair-friendly house), selling or just shutting down my 28-year-old business, and basically facing the end of life before reaching 65.
While those big changes will still need to occur at some point, they won’t need to happen at such a rapid pace as initially anticipated, at least that is the hope, as I was told by the neurologist that PLS can sometimes just morph into ALS, along with the more rapid decline, making it even more difficult knowing when to make those major decisions.
Presently, I’m feeling much much better mentally/emotionally than those initial weeks, almost back to normal much to my surprise, but there’s no way I could have stayed in such a state, it was terrible. I’ve always been aware of my mortality, but it did sharpen my focus and appreciation on the time I do have left.
While my symptoms have only gotten slightly worse, I must admit that I do feel a sense of dread when I feel my various muscles twitching (usually in bed at night), as that is a sign of the motor neurons doing their ALS thing, so that is disquieting.
So while it’s both possible that I decline quickly and am gone in ~3 years, or that I’m mostly able-bodied in ~12 years, I’ve decided to step on the gas a bit with the time I do have. I bought a Sony A1 (*the a9 is for sale), and am enjoying shooting the birds again; here’s a few recent images, the last one taken this morning - a drop of water rolling off the tip of a Mallard's bill.
I'm so happy to see you returning to what you love to do Colin. This set of photos is superb both in quality and creativity. Possibly coming to terms with how fragile our lives are has helped you become stronger. Keep taking photos, it's great for the mind!
Glad for this update, Colin. Whenever someone is faced with a life-ending diagnosis, the hope is always for more time and it looks like that’s the case here. Hooray for that!
Hooray, though for your human spirit and not only coming to terms with your diagnosis but deciding to live whatever time you do have to the fullest.
Hooray for your family and friends.
Lastly, hooray for us who get to see your prolific photography. I cannot begin to describe the joy when I see your photos on my Instagram feed. They are unmistakeable in their cleanliness and execution, but your photos are never static. There is always tension and character, they are alive.
Great to see you posting again Colin and even better to hear that you're feeling better. An amazing set of images with your special magic plastered all over them. Your last shot showcases your impeccable eye for details. Great stuff !
Gary
Nice to see your incredible's pictures, that's a kind of whorkshop tour for a newbie, they must show your images for understanding, light, sharpness, variety....a good training.
Despite the situation, enjoy the time with the A1, as much as you can Colin.
Gerard
So great to see you posting once again, and to read of your revised health situation.
Masterful work as usual.
Tom
Thanks Tom.
*I was doing some more reading last night, and it turns out that to truly determine a case of PLS rather than ALS, it generally takes a few years of observation, and that I could just be in early days of ALS. Crap. Ahh well, it is what it is.
morris wrote:
I'm so happy to see you returning to what you love to do Colin. This set of photos is superb both in quality and creativity. Possibly coming to terms with how fragile our lives are has helped you become stronger. Keep taking photos, it's great for the mind!
