Worst Find Ever

[normmcq]

I have been absent from posting any finds since before my neck surgery and probably won't be making any more. Before my surgery I was loosing strength and dexterity in my arms, legs and hands. After being submitted to every test, x ray and MRI everything pointed to my spinal column being compromised in my cervical spine, given that information, the decision was made to operate. After six weeks of recovery and two months of physical therapy and only getting worse, one more test. They had me do a Genetic test, the results came back positive for having the SOD 1 gene that causes  ALS. That is the final diagnosis and it is always fatal. I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes, I really appreciated that. I have met and made friends with a lot of great people in my quest for gold and wish that I could have met more of you. I will be lurking here on this forum and will be looking at your finds and reading your posts                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Happy Hunting   Norm

[Northeast]

Very sad to hear that Norm.  

I do hope that any potential therapies that are available to you are helpful in managing symptoms and improving quality of life. 

I'm not sure what Palliative Care services are like in the US but here in Aus it is better to be linked-in well before you think you need them as they can provide lots of assistance, advice, equipment and support for the client and their families.  A lot of people are shocked when we bring up Palliative Care so early because they think it means they must not have much time.  We have to reassure them that PC isn't all about death, it is about living and living well.

All the best to you and your family.  And I hope the goings on of the forum can brighten your day every now and then  🙂

N.E. 

[Valens Legacy]

Norm,

I am so sad to hear this news and will keep praying for you to get better. My grandfather had a friend that passed from ALS several years ago and I know how he felt about that. We all here will greatly miss your input and knowledge, and wish you luck on this battle against your sickness. I believe that there is always hope when people pray, so I want you to know that we will be praying for you.

Caleb

[Norvic]

Your strength to be open about this is the kind of strength that marks you as a Special Person, one who inspires. May your lurking here be full of golden moments. 

[mn90403]

Norm,

I read it and I didn't know what to say.  I've thought about it and still don't know what to say.  I know you have lived with your family history but most of us were unaware.

I've seen you over the years in several parts of the west.  Each time you always greeted me/us with a warm smile and you were able to show me some nice nuggets.  I'll miss seeing you in those places but I'll always think of you and Heather feeding the hummingbirds on Tom Wells Road.  Your spirit lives with the hummingbirds for me.

Please post up some of your favorite finds so we can share the memories with you.

Your friends Mitchel, Lu, Curtis and Colgan

[geof_junk]

Norm I have been in a lot of forum, and have seen a lot of good people some have now gone but you are still here, and are one of the top people that I have enjoyed following. Don't get too upset with the bad news there is always some hope to enjoy what time you have left.

 I had a good health record except some bad accidents that were considered very bad head injuries. That changed 6 years ago with AF that they could not control even with drugs, pacemaker, Catheter ablation and Cryoablation. That worked for awhile (1 year) three weeks after getting an A plus from the specialist I had a Cardiac Arrest at home on the lawn. The pacemaker recorded that I had no heart beat for over 22 minutes. Luckily with 30 minutes of rapid CPR and a helicopter trip to Melb. 100 miles away the medical staff saved me Not forgetting them telling the Wife that chances of making it would be highly unlikely and if I did there would be lot of brain damage. Now the electric of my heart are totally reliant  on an auto ICD with a defibrillator. Well  I beat the odds now it is your time to do the same.

 Stephen Hawking had ALS. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is two to five years, but some patients may live for years or even decades. (The famous physicist Stephen Hawking, for example, lived for more than 50 years after he was diagnosed.) so the odds are different for every one.

Let hear some more of your gold expeditions and other enjoyable memories, and don't let the bad news ruin the time that you have.

Regards Geof.

[Steve Herschbach]

Hi Norm.

That’s a terrible diagnosis, and my heart goes out to you and your family. Truth is all our days are numbered, and the best any of us can do is take it a day at a time. Nobody really knows what tomorrow may bring. In that spirit I hope you find a reason to smile today, and hope you have a better day tomorrow.

[LuckyLundy]

Norm,

Your a Champion, a Man Among Men and one of my Favorite Prospectors!  Take advantage, Be positive and Keep on Keeping on!

Rick & Robin

[Gold Catcher]

All my best wishes Norm. Never give up! I work in healthcare and I can tell you that nothing can be predicted with absolute certainty.  Many times patients with a terminal disease live way longer and reasonably well than what was forecasted. It is actually not rare at all. I wish you strength for the days ahead!

[Rick N. MI]

I am so sorry you got that diagnosis. My prayers are with you and your family. You never know what God might do for you.