Nancy

I was diagnosed with ALS in July 2019 with a confirmation at a multidisciplinary ALS clinic in November 2019. I first noticed a slapping and pain in my left foot in June 2018. That progressed to a limp and instability by November 2018. I had my first EMG in June 2019 with inconclusive results and a second one in July 2019.  My very experienced local neurologist indicated that based on his testing that there was a high probability it was ALS but that I needed to have it confirmed by a neurological center of excellence that specialized in ALS. Progression has been slow to this point.

I am 71 and have always been athletic, having run hundreds of distance races from 100 meters to marathons starting in my 30s thru my 60s. 

We moved to Montana over 20 years ago and I have been very active with much of it occurring at high altitude.  I have hiked hundreds of miles, fly fished, backpacked, camped, floated rivers, XC skied, snowshoed and generally immersed myself in the outdoors. 

Since the diagnosis, I have been walking (with hiking poles) up to 30 minutes, about a mile, daily, and will continue to do so as long as possible. I now use a cane for stability and walking up any incline is a challenge with frequent rests.