08/22/70

Wish I had some funny stories, but way too serious in high school and college. Knuckled under to well-meaning but overly-strict parents who desperately needed me to "be somebody." Finally loosened up around 30.

Since writing original profile, one story did come to mind. Prior to first period English class on Mondays (and before Mrs. Deal arrived), several of us early arrivals sat there waiting for our friend and classmate, Ken Ruark, to come through the doorway. As Ken entered class, he took his books, held them out like a football, and PUNTED them!! Books and papers flew everywhere. Even though we all knew what was going to happen, we still roared. Great Monday morning ritual!

Recently, I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a chronic but not life-threatening muscle weakness disease. Mine is the Generalized Type, affecting the whole body. Unexplained fatigue, double vision when looking to the far right, and a droopy right eyelid were my symptoms. The severity of MG varies widely from patient to patient. For example, I watched a Youtube video of a guy thrilled he was able to put on his shirt without help that day. Other people have milder symptoms, and, with meds, live near-normal lives. So far, I'm in the second category. MG is not a progressive illness where the patient gets worse and worse until he can't do anything. If there is additional loss of function post-diagnosis, it usually occurs within 2-3 years and then levels off. So, we'll see what happens in my case. Always did want an MG, and now I have one. P.S. Having seen classmates at reunion #45, I'd decided that was a good one to end on. How things change. Under the circumstances, I treasure the opportunity to see folks again --- at Branson.