As I mentioned the other day, my Dad was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) last month. He has had an aching pain on the left side of his chest and had lost a bit of muscle mass. He was sent for a bunch of specialized tests and based on the symptoms and markers, he received that awful diagnosis. He was booked for a second opinion with his doctor’s “mentor” but second opinions are required under BC Medical when the diagnosis is of a terminal nature. We’ve all been hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. The symptoms and markers don’t lie, you know? Plus, his appointment was at G.F. Strong, which is a rehabilitation center.
Today, my Dad had his second opinion appointment. The doctor performed a bunch of tests, looked at his chart, and then stated something along the lines of…
“I don’t want to paint the other Doctor in a bad light, but none of these symptoms and markers that he documented in your file are there. You’ve have lost some muscle mass, but the muscle strength is fine and you have none of the markers. We can rule out ALS.”
MY DAD DOES NOT HAVE ALS.
He still has that nagging discomfort and reduced muscle mass on his left side, so he has to go for a few tests to rule out heart problems. If it’s not his heart, it may be some pinched nerves. PINCHED NERVES.
Cynics may deduce that the other doctor is an idiot but from what I understand he’s well-respected. I also know that last month my Dad had the symptoms and markers of ALS and now, he does not. I firmly believe that this is a result of the prayers, thoughts, wishes, vibes and SHAZAM thrown at him by you guys and so many others. I think we’ve just witnessed a miracle here, my friends. Thanks for being a part of it.
God is bigger than ALS, indeed.
61 Comments
That is awesome to hear. I will be praying too that he gets better.
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Oh, Angella! I’m grinning from ear to ear. What fantastic, relieving news for you and your family. xoxo
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Holy crap. Thank goodness for required second opinions in cases like that – something we definitely don’t have in the States!
Wonderful news and definitely a load off your heart!
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That is wonderful news.
I am a big believer in the power of prayer. I’m so happy to hear your dad benefited from it.
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Angella,
YES!!!!!!!!! 
I’m so thankful for God’s miraculous power! Why is it so easy to forget, when He faithfully proves Himself time and time again?
Thrilled for you all!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Steph! on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:35 pmGod is SO great! Prayers DO get answered and this is living proof. The prayers won’t stop now; they’ll continue while your dad goes through the rest of the tests. Thanks for sharing this with us all; reaffirming that prayers really do make a difference and that miracles can and DO happen!
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Holy Crap! Thank GOD for 2nd opinions!!!
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WHAT?! That is truly amazing news! You just totally made my day and helped restore my faith in miracles.
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Second opinions SHOULD be required for all major medical issues. I’ve learned my lesson in that this is the 3rd such story I’ve heard in a couple of months.
So happy for you and your family! Continue to embrace your everydays.
Comment by Kakaty on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:45 pmAs I tweeted earlier…I’m so glad for you, your dad & family. I do believe that thoughts & prayers are @ work here! A pinched nerve would be a pretty nice reversal.
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YAY! I’m like, Graham-excited!
I was so not ready to have to deal with this kind of stuff! YAY for DAD!
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The best news I have heard in a VERY long time! Yay, yay, yay!!!!
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I’m tearing up because I’m so happy for your dad and your whole family. What a wonderful relief and gift.
I too believe in the power of prayer, it should never be underestimated. Hooray!
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WOW. Such good news to hear. So happy for you all. WOW.
Although I have some issues with religion that I need to work out, I do believe in miracles. I have experienced one first hand before and it was amazing.
Comment by Jennifer on January 26th, 2010 @ 9:03 pmBEST. NEWS. EVER.
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I’m so happy for you and your family to have this wonderful news!! I believe in miracles too, and I’m so thrilled for your amazing one.
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I am so happy for you. I had a cousin with ALS and he passed away a few years ago. It was horrible to see him go through that. I hope for your dad’s sake it’s only pinched nerves! And that it’s easily fixed. Yay!
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Angella. Wow. This is amazing. What phenomenal news. Miracle for sure. XOXO
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I’m so happy to hear that!
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That is such fantastic new Angella – there are not enough words to convey how wonderful that is! I’m heartglad for you all – God is so good 
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Awesome. Awesome. I’ll say it again, Awesome.
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Wow. Just … wow. I’m so happy to hear this. So happy for you, for your dad, for his lady.
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Lady, I am so SO happy for you and your family. xo
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Yes he is!!! This is wonderful news, miracles DO happen
Your last line made me tear up. AMEN.
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One word: YAY!
Okay maybe one more, YAY!
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Wow! Just wow! What a trip. Thank God for second opinions. And miracles! Go have yourself an awesome day! Week! Month! Your dad too!
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I have the chills. I am so, so very happy to hear this news. What a huge, amazing thing this is for you and your family. So happy for miracles.
Comment by Jen on January 27th, 2010 @ 7:17 amyes.
YES!
Miracles. I believe in them.
Just look at Anissa.
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I’m not saying the other doctor is a moron, because I’m not a medical professional so who am i to judge. But celebrate this small victory!
Comment by Kate on January 27th, 2010 @ 7:48 amGod is great.
and this is one more reason the internet can be so great…there were many prayers going up in agreement for your family.
I’ll keep praying that the reports/tests continue to come back with blessings.
God is infinitely bigger!!! Hallelujah! May He continue to bless you and your family. I don’t think you need anyone to tell you that every day is a gift to be cherished! Got goosebumps again!!!
Make it a GREAT day!
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Wow. Just wow. So happy for you and your family.
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Coming out of lurkdom to say “Yea God!”. I’ll keep praying.
This is most excellent news. Still holding good thoughts for him. Hope he heals up soon!
I like how SHAZAM had something to do with it.
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Woo Hoo!
I’ll be praying they find out what is causing his symptoms soon!
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OH MY GOSH! I have goosebumps all over and am fighting back the tears. Our God is SO good! and although I don’t know you or your dad personally, I am rejoicing with you today!!!
I pray this story always serves as a marker for your family to remember how faithful, loving and true God is.
Much love!
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Full our goosebumps here! Best news ever!
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I meant to say “full-out” goosebumps. I didn’t sleep much last night.
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WOW. I am so so so happy for you and your family. I am in shock! I agree with Amanda…FULL OUT goosebumps. Great, great news!!
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I too believe in miracles. We were told our daughter (on her seventh birthday) had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She saw many doctors, they all agreed with the diagnosis. A month later results of a biopsy showed it was not cancer. We know it was a miracle. I am so happy for you and your dad. I understand the emotional roller-coaster you must have been on.
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Praise the Lord! That is an awesome testimony!
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Delurking finally to say that is great news! My grandfather died from ALS, and a piece of my current job is in ALS research and trying to create a registry of ALS patients.
I did want to at least mention that ALS is VERY difficult to diagnose. It took 2 years for someone to figure it out on my grandpa. Your father doesn’t seem to have typical ALS symptoms, but it’s worth considering (for treatment purposes) that doc #2 could be the one that’s wrong.
Comment by Tia on January 27th, 2010 @ 12:44 pmAmen! I’ve been bothered by your dad’s situation since I read it a while back. We experienced a terminal diagnosis for my beloved aunt and then the doctors went back in and gave us a much better one…one that is treatable. She is doing chemo and doing much better.
God is good!
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YES YES YES! Our God is a good God Angella. Yes!!!!! Wahooooooo!
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Hooray!! There is nothing like a giant SHAZAAM from God!
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That is great news. From my personal and professional experience I am a firm believer in taking charge of your own health and that means getting second opinions, questioning diagnosis and getting informed. I bet your Dad is just flying high at this point.
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So happy for your family. Makes me think of that Tim McGraw song – Live like you were dying. But I think most would pass on that given the choice. Great news, wonderful news.
Comment by Anne Marie on January 27th, 2010 @ 6:49 pmThat’s so wonderful! I feel like this post should be written in giant letters with flashing lights. It just seemed so ordinary when I started reading, then my brain woke up and I realized what you were saying…awesome!
Comment by Teri on January 28th, 2010 @ 7:24 amI may be branded a Tool of Satan by my Pentecostal family members, but Archangel Michael and I are tight. We sent a little sumpin sumpin your dad’s way. So glad for a happy outcome.
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Thank you Angella, I am so glad that your dad (my cousin Allan) doesn’t have Lou Gehrig desease! That is so much of a relief!
Comment by Wende Moran on January 28th, 2010 @ 10:20 amDon’t know if my comment got to you, but again I am so happy that your dad (my cousin Allan) doesn’t have Lou Gehrig desease! Praise God!
Comment by Wende Moran on January 28th, 2010 @ 10:22 amHallelujah!!! I’m so, so happy to hear it Angella.
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PRAISE GOD!! I am SO happy to read this, Angella! xx
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Amen.
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