It was the perfect morning for a walk up the beautiful trails of Koolau Ranch. Nancy picked me up on time and away we drove along the coast. It is not often that I am a passenger so I feasted on the scenery that Sunday morning. It was overcast, the sun refusing to get up early this Sunday morn. So we were thankful. When we got there a little past eight, they were already gathered around the small group up front led by the HURT organizers. Vi and Jan are in that small group. After the introductions, we were off.
You might say this series of pics is an essay on Nancy's back, charming ribbons hung on tree limbs, creatively and humorously stuck on fresh cow dung or expressively pointing in mute perfection at the direction we were supposed to take lest we tread on wrong trails. Obedience is in our DNA's so we never strayed. How could we? There were the helpful and delightfully costumed "ushers" along the way, including one with a cold water jug on a truck halfway through the route. We huffed and puffed up and down the trail until we hit the last bend into the parking lot and the awaiting group of trekkers. We were sure we weren't last but we didn't bother to check as we got to the sarong-decorated "finish line". We picked up our Tshirts and grub from the MDA crew and chitchatted with Paul, Larry and Gerri. Tried to help the crew start the very obstinate generator to no avail... so we ended up our morning, happy with exercise of the day done and meeting again with our old friends, the HURTs and reconnecting with Mommy Nature, still resplendent in quiet dignity along the shore.
Hasta la vista, we said. Till next year's trek!
Aloha, my Hawaiian ALS brethren. I have had ALS for 6 years now and just recently retired. I was 40 years old when diagnosed which may be why I am deteriorating slowly. I have a 4 year old daughter and another baby on the way.
ReplyDeleteSeven years ago (pre-diagnosis), my wife & I visited a relative there in HI (she has since moved to CO). We loved Hawaii's beauty so much, we started looking for work there to move there. Since I'm retired now, we do not need to find a full-time job. I'm aware it is expensive, but we willl be happy in a modest apartment.
The problem is, I am in the Ceftriaxone clinical trial (which also may be why I am deteriorating slowly). However, this drug is already approved for other use (antibiotic) & so our doctor told us if we can find a doctor in HI that will prescribe it, I could stay on it (although not in the trial, which I'm fine with). Does any of the ALS community in Hawaii know of a doctor in HI that will prescribe Ceftriaxone for ALS? Let me know at my email: mr.dcjames@gmail.com
Maholo!
...Darrin James
p.s keep up the good fight!!...I believe one of the many promising drugs being currently tested in phase III trials, like Olexisome and Dexpramipexole may lead to that elusive ALS cocktail!