Finally Home

Listening to Pandora Radio, just listened to Finally Home by Mercy Me. I was meditating on playing golf with Jesus in heaven just prior to the song coming on...

Symptoms - very tired after playing a match of Wii tennis, 9 holes of Wii golf, and another match of tennis. Mucus is present pretty much every day. This Lazy-Boy chair that ALSA Evergreen loaned us is a Godsend!

I'm putting out a challenge for anyone that wants to play me in bowling, tennis, or golf on the Wii... cut out some time in your day or evening and come on over.

I wish I could lift both my hands in praise

The Lord placed this song in my heart as I was waking up. It is one of my old favorites.

Finally found the song....

The Overcome song that's been sung at church over the last couple months. Some people too busy to help me find this, but I found it this morning.

It is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watch and listen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sjYWrpNoCs

and be blessed!!!!

Deb and my Walk Pages

You can either join our walking team, or donate under Debora's or my url:

Debora

Barry

Barry's Bunch (Team page)

We have received a permanent loan of the following items from the Evergreen Chapter:

Lift Chair

Transport Chair

and our three younger girls have received backpacks full of items and books to help them understand this illness. We are very grateful for the short time we have known about the ALSA.

Thank You for your support!

Contact Us

If you would like more information about the Evergreen Chapter's Walk to Defeat ALS^TM, please contact Robin Hartman at The ALS Association Evergreen Chapter:

The ALS Association, Evergreen Chapter
Attn: Walk to Defeat ALS^TM
19110 68th Ave S
Suite H-105 Kent, WA 98032
Phone: 1-866-786-7257 * Fax: 425-656-1649 * robin@alsa-ec.org

Draw Me Close to You

A couple of audio files below.

Having just watched "Avatar" at home last night, I woke up with a call to come back to my Source.

Part 1

Part 2

The important thing I am trying to convey is that we need each other deeply. Don't let life rob you of relationship. God first, each other second.

Walk to Defeat ALS (Tacoma)

Here is an opportunity to either walk, virtually walk, or support my walk (even by transport chair if necessary).

Walk to Defeat ALS (9-25-2010) (sign up using that link)

For additional details, please visit the Walk home page

I appreciate all my followers, if you can help at all, that would be most appreciated. The Evergreen Chapter of ALSA has been wonderful to us!

The goal for team "Barry's Bunch" is $1750.

If I can get a team of just 25 walkers, at $70 in fundraising per walker, that would meet the goal.

May is ALS Awareness Month

I sent out a "spam" of sorts to many people in my email address book a couple weeks ago about this. If you would like to support research for ALS, these are 2 excellent ways:

Evergreen Chapter ALS Association

ALS/TDI (Non-profit research foundation)

Thank you!

Update after a break

It's really too late to update, my left hand is pretty dead. Deb and I took a break for 3 nights, driving down to Long Beach (WA). My last day for driving was the 14th. VA needs to assess my driving skills before they will give the ok to DOL to renew my license, which expired on my b'day, the 15th.

I've been a bit depressed, nothing too serious. Just some doubts if God wants me healed. I keep hearing "incurable, no one has a testimony of recovering from ALS", that type of thing. I need to get back to hearing from God, not being concerned about myself.

Sorry for not getting back to you all sooner, and giving some folks a scare when we were away. I'll try to status better next time we're away, without giving exact dates.

Good report on CT scan

I met with the Oncologist in Seattle on Tuesday. There is no sign of growth in the nodules in lungs and liver, so at this point that is excellent news. I have a appointment in July to follow up, but the doctor indicated a re-scan wasn't necessary for that follow-up, he wants to see how I am doing with the ALS at that time.

Speech and Physical Therapy update

Had both speech and PT today. My swallowing is still pretty good. The dry mouth has improved. The therapist did a baseline on my speech today, ans will be evaluating it in a month. I sound very understandable, just a few issues with sounding out S sounds.

My strength in left leg and arm were noticeably better than the last time at PT. I attribute this to daily communion, also my meatless diet starting April 1st may be a factor.

AA Motorcycle & Classic Car Benefit Flyer

My sister-in-law has sent me this flyer for a benefit her and her husband are doing in July. The funds will go toward some house repairs that are desperately needed.

Flyer has been updated with donation information (06/16/10).

The flyer can be found here. Please distribute far & wide.

Our God is Greater

This is another of those songs that every time it comes on the radio, I just start praising Our God. By Chris Tomlin.

Another busy week concludes

Recap -

Taxes completed (Thursday) - this was latest we ever did our taxes.

Occupational Therapy on Friday - ramp for front of house is on order. Motorized chair needs to be coordinated with my primary Dr. Received a brace for left hand.

Meeting with Wes of ALSA for South Sound. He gave us a lot of good information. He will be loaning us a lift chair and transport chair.

I'm a bit worn out in my left leg and arm muscles. Auction for Grant Elementary was a lot of fun, had a great time, but lots of stairs. Had over 11,000 steps including stairs on Saturday. I need to be sure I don't overextend myself. Still smarting in left hand from 3 games of Wii tennis on Thursday.

I'm still believing for improvements in strength & dexterity, as I apply the blood & body of Christ daily in Communion. My mother reported yesterday morning a miracle she had at her church, a few months ago. Her communion cup was empty, without her drinking the juice. She verified with the server it had juice in the cup just before she was going to drink. She believes this to be a sign of my healing by Communion in the days to follow.

Song list for my funeral

Hopefully not anytime soon.

Are You Washed in the Blood/I'll Fly Away

Power in the Blood

Nothing But The Blood (added 4-10-2010)

When We All get to Heaven

Standing on the Promises

'Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus

What a Friend we have in Jesus

How Great Thou Art

It is well with my Soul

Sweet Holy Spirit

Another Soldier Down

Overcoming sickness by the blood of the Lamb

A worship song on Easter Sunday from the book of Revelations is what I woke up with on my heart just a little while ago. I had a nice communion supper with Jesus at 2am, nice & quiet, no distractions.

I'm going to be very bold, and declare to satan, that I am Overcoming by the Blood of Jesus, and my testimony, as well as the testimony of God's word, the Holy Bible.

I expect to see more gradual improvement in my physical strength over the weeks & months ahead. I am removing the fundraising icons for alternative treatments, as I do believe I have found it. Eureka!

To God alone be the Glory!

CT scan & slight physical improvements

Long day today. CT scan in Seattle for cancer, lunch with Cyra & Matt, credit union to deal with an issue, back to Tacoma to pick up SarahLynn for ballet, Forzas to relax, pick up ballerinas and Lillian. Finally got home tonight close to 8 pm.

I'm able to now bend my left hand back slightly. Left leg also feels slightly stronger. Suspect that communion is starting to push back disease as I participate daily.

PTL !!!

Drivers License Renewal

I went to get it renewed today. I need a Dr's ok before DMV will issue a renewal.

I have CT scan tomorrow in Seattle to see if nodules in lungs & liver have grown. Followup is Apr 13th to read the results. Pretty beat right now, I've done a couple runs for Deb and now need some sleep.

Having thick mucus the last couple days. This is a new symptom.

This is so like God

This came in an email from my friend, Carol Brewster. Just as God was telling me to just rest in Him, and to trust in Him:

I saw a video today on ABC NEWS about a man whose favorite basketball team is - well I can't remember, but they are in the running for the final four - because I got distracted by his ALS - 10 years and still with his family!

The Lord brought you to my mind with this: "We are a doing people. We always want to be doing something. Every now and then someone will exclaim, 'Don't just stand there; do something!' In contrast, I think God is crying out to us, 'Don't just do something. Stand there! Enter a love relationship with ME. Get to know Me. Adjust your life to ME. Let Me love you and reveal Myself through you to a watching world; A time will come when doing will be called for, but we cannot skip the relationship. The relationship with God must come first."

- Experiencing God by Henry and Richard Blackaby, Claude King

Here's praying for your weekend together coming up. Carol

The Motorcycle Rally Fundraiser in July

Proceeds are intended for us to use as we see fit, whether for medical bills or other needs. We have medical (except natural medicine) covered by the VA. One need we have is a roof, and it's underlying structure (fire damaged and jury rigged before we moved here in 1990).

The roof needs to be completely removed, and the roof structure completely replaced, then wood and tiling replaced. I will be getting some estimates for the work over the next few weeks, but anticipate it to be in the $20,000 neighborhood or better. I'd like to use the fundraiser to pay for a huge chunk of this job, as leaking is occurring in one bedroom sometimes making that room uninhabitable.

Final thoughts before I try to get some sleep....

I think I'm going to put some more audio out here. My left hand is just not able to do much typng, and it hurts like hell right now :-)

Bless all of you.... happy dreams, and goodnight. Barry

One of the symptoms of ALS is ...

INSOMNIA !!

I'm trying to make this time productive. With hunt and peck speed.

I could curse the lack of steady sleep, but I choose to write my thoughts, my heart, inspirations, God whispering to me, so I can bless. Bless YOU, dear readers, for reading my journal, for loving me, for obeying the promptings you have to help where you see a need.

I have failed to mention 3 families that have gone out of their way to be a blessing to me and my family.

1) Christine H - single mom, 2 school age children. She has supported us since I was layed off Feb 2009 from a career in IT of over 25 years. Gifts of grocery cards, hiring me to do yard work to keep me busy and a source of extra cash. Taking my daughter SarahLynn literally into her own family, on weekend outings and play dates with her daughter. Giving Deb and myself dinner tickets to the upcoming school auction, which we had no plans to attend. Now both of us are looking forward with anticipation to this upcoming Saturday dinner and auction.

Thank You, Christine! Bless you

2) Cheryl & Rod, and their kids - This family has had their own health and financial issues, over the last 2 years. Yet, they look beyond their own comfort, their own heartache, to reach out to us Mangan family.

Thank YOU for a wonderful Easter gathering at your place. Thank YOU for organizing and inspiring your friends and relatives on the upcoming fundraiser motorcycle rally in July. I want to post the flyer for this event here on the website when I get a copy, if that's OK.

3) Maria - Thank YOU so much for taking the 2 younger girls over Spring break and allowing them to participate in the Musical Theater camp. They both will not forget the experience.

4) Many others, too many to name. You've watched our girls overnight so Deb and I can make an early VA appointment. You continue to take our girls in so Deb and I can get away for a few days. You've given us food, cash, grocery cards (Trinity Church & family). You've driven from Spokane over the winter, even when you were sick, so you could help wherever was necessary, then offered to house us this summer while we get our roof and underlying structure replaced. I've failed to mention many more, please know you ALSO are loved and appreciated.

Thank YOU all, each and every one of you. Bless you!

3rd Party exam & weight increase

I've gained a pound and a half in a week. I would call that progress, in the right direction.

I was questioned & examined by a 3rd party MD today, so the VA can assign a disability percentage. It may take 2 to 3 months to start receiving VA compensation. For now, Social Security disability and savings are what we have to live on.

I'm beginning to atrophy on my shoulders, hips, and butt-ox, for probably at least the last 2 weeks, as well as continuing in left arm, hand, and leg. About an inch less muscle mass on left arm & leg compared to the right side. Right side having plenty of tremors & some pain. Lower left back aches quite a bit after walking or standing.

See amazing comments in post on Easter Sunday (just below). Our God is an Awesome GOD!

I'm gaining faith each day for a miracle. :)

Happy Resurrection Day!

Lydia and I are back in Tacoma now, we had a wonderful time relaxing over in Spokane with my sister Carol. Carol had to work all week, so it gave Lydia and myself time to just relax around the house for the most part.

I was able to do some reading without interruption, some in the middle of the night. I'm reading "Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood" currently, a book my mom sent me in the mail. There is a Spanish version on Amazon, but no English version there. After getting through the first 5 chapters on this teaching on communion, I want to commit to taking communion as often as once a day. The author has some awesome personal experiences she tells about, and I've only hit on the blood of Christ in the book so far.

My brother-in-law, Arturo, also has loaned me a book to read, which I will get to after the current book. It sounds like it is a good one too.

So far, the fundraising for alternative treatments has only one contributor (Thank you, Steve N).

It may be that God wants me to trust solely in a Divine healing, so He alone gets the glory.

Anyhow, I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Resurrection Day today. Even though I'm hunting and pecking right now, with my left hand barely mobile, I rejoice in the saving work our heavenly Father has given me, His son Jesus, and thank Jesus for shedding His blood for me, for my healing, and so that I can partake of the Divine nature.