While we are fortunate to have happy, healthy children, our family is facing the ultimate challenge.

On December 18th, 2007, I was diagnosed with ALS.

After an eight-month battle to get answers, countless doctors and tests, I received the news. I first noticed something wrong in May 2007. My left foot seemed to be "catching on the carpet" a little too often to be normal. Within a month, I noticed I would sway a bit when I walked, and felt as though I needed to touch the wall periodically in order to feel like I was walking straight. I recall realizing that I could no longer walk fast, and thinking I was just fatigued. It seemed that no matter how much sleep I got, I was still yawning all day long.

Over time, I was adjusting to these new "issues", but not quite at the same pace as my symptoms worsened. I began falling. I was tripping over my own feet, and noticing that I lacked the basic reflex you expect from your body when you are about to fall.

This was very scary. I have four young children I need to take care of, but my body was not cooperating! I began to worry every day that I might fall and not be able to get up, or that I might hurt one my children if I tripped.

From the start, I was visiting doctors (primary care, neurology, physical therapy), having tests done (blood work, CT scans, MRIs, you name it), but nothing was showing up. I was beginning to feel as though my medical chart said "It is all in her head". It is such an awful feeling to know that something is wrong with you, but not feel confident the doctors truly believe you. I got frustrated and stopped going to the doctor.

Can I tell you what a wonderful husband I have? All the while I was having trouble, and without any answers from doctors, Eric was there for me. He just picked up the slack and kept going. He could see there was something wrong, and supported me when I needed it. No doubt, no guilt, no blame. It was tearing me apart to admit that I was losing the ability to do things (safely) around the house for fear of falling.

In November, I had to finally admit that my hands and arms were beginning to show signs of weakness.

So in December, with a little help from my husband and my friends, I got up the courage to go back to the doctor. This time I was sent for EMG testing (nerve conduction and muscle conduction testing). These are not fun tests, by the way.

The next day I received the answer as to what was taking over my life - ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease". www.alsa.org