Thank You For Your Prayers and Support

Dear Friends and Family,

The outpouring of love and support we have received over the past last week has been overwhelming. Thank you for praying for Curt daily and thanks to those who have added him to prayer chains. We are touched by the emails, phone calls, cards and visits. Sorry we have been unable to answer each of you individually, but please know that your encouragement helps us and lifts our spirits.

I know everyone wants to know how we are doing, so here it goes....

Curt struggles with what ALS is doing to his body. Constant and severe muscle twitching and muscle cramps. Loss of strength and shaky legs that don't do what he wants them to do. He is struggling emotionally with the thought of having to be cared for in the future. Most of all, he can't bear the thought of leaving his kids and me. His pain is indescribable. He is trying to stay strong and brave and minimize his physical ailments and emotions around us.

The kids are very sad, as you would imagine. Although they are keeping busy with friends and activities, they stick closer to home these days. When they are home, they are with Curt, whether hanging out in the garage or snuggling on the couch. They are very encouraging and supportive. They make sure he takes his medicine and they even bring it to him when he is busy. They are concerned about how he is feeling physically. They offer to help lift, move or do whatever needs to be done. They are incredible kids and we are so proud of them. Many of you have reached out to them and that gives them encouragement. Thank you!

As for me...I am trying to keep a regular schedule for the family. It helps to have places to be and plans to look forward to. It hurts to be still. My heart is broken for Curt, for the kids, and for me. I cannot imagine life without Curt. Although we are sad, we are not letting this situation consume our lives. We have been blessed with a great life, great friends and no regrets. We will continue to live life each day to the fullest. We will continue to laugh and enjoy the time we have together. I am researching ALS daily. I have found a few options that we are looking into further. Thank you to those who have sent me articles, links and ideas. Keep them coming!

We are looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with Curt's mom and family at her home in Long Beach. On Friday, we will take our motorhome to Palm Springs to meet my parents and our friends for the weekend.

Please continue to pray for Curt, for a miracle, for remission, for medical options, for a stem cell center that will treat him, for the kids and for our family. Thank you all....for caring so much and being there for us, we love each of you.

Love,

Cindy, Curt, Clarissa, Cayden & Corbin

Curt's Health

Dear Friends,

Curt has been experiencing muscle twitching throughout his body along with weakness in his left arm and hand since June. We have been visiting doctors and testing with a neurologist since July, trying to figure out what is wrong. Last Wednesday, Curt was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The twitching and weakness is caused when the nerve cells that control muscle movement die. His left arm is very weak and the muscle has atrophied. He is beginning to have problems walking. This process will continue throughout his arms, legs, and body, finally the muscles that help him breathe will die. There is no treatment and no cure. He is taking the one and only medicine available for ALS which prolongs life 3-6 months. Life expetancy is 2-5 years. The cause is unknown.

We told the kids tonight. We are all in a lot of pain. Corbin has not asked about the end result yet. At this time he is picturing his dad in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. We will tell him when he asks. Clarissa and Cayden know everything. We told the kids to feel free to talk about it, don't keep it in. It is good to talk, cry and even laugh. At the moment, Corbin is sitting on the couch looking at his photo album with Curt, crying and then laughing. Clarissa and Cayden are at church. We told them they could count on our friends for support.

Please pray for Curt that he doesn't suffer, pray for our kids, pray for a miracle. There is a very small percentage of people that go into remission.

We love you all and are so thankful you are in our lives.

Love,

Cindy Ziemke