JKR Updates

I had clinic last Wednesday. My previous poems had been shared with the clinic team, and so, Dr. Neel, my neurologist, challenged me to write a poem about "bolus formation". So after Google-ing what that was and a few other medical jargon-y terms that I thought he'd appreciate, I sent him this as a medical follow-up question through MyChart. [I included the glossary here so you don't have to look everything up, but I sent only the poem to doc Neel.]   Subject: Regarding my bolus formation  I have a problem with bolus formation That train isn't leaving the station  My tongue won't move food  Lips aren't in the mood  A disaster in the mastication It's not a problem with lubrication  I produce saliva like a new occupation  Coughing fits of hi-jinks Plague my oropharynx  Now swallowing causes consternation  My dysphagia is so hard to swallow  Leaves an oropharyngeal hollow  With digestion below us  Disintegration of bolus Is n...

 by Kevin  It's been a while since I've posted. Thought I'd do an update on my progression since people are probably curious, and there really is no casual way to ask, "So! What can't you do today?" I generally don't like to dwell (privately) on my physical disability too much because it draws my mental state down. Self pity is a deep dark hole, and a mercilessly difficult one to climb out. [That's not to say that I don't like sharing triumphs or empathy with others fighting beside me.] I do gain strength trying to help others out of their well. Whether they have ALS or are collateral victims, we're all climbing out of something. Just best to keep an eye on my own footing. I had tried to do this awhile ago and even had a longish post typed up where I tried to articulate my physical and mental struggle unfiltered. Kind of a raw, uncensored, director's cut, if you will, of what I feel like I'm dealing with every second of every day. ... T...