Well it has been quite some time since anything has been posted here!!
I’ll try & update!!
1-been to my Primary Physician for check up after I got home!  Still concerned about my speech problem! (Slurred speech)
2-had MRI of brain to rule out a stroke!
3-December 2021 went to ENT Dr in DM to see if anything wrong with throat/tongue—he recommended a neurologist!
4-January 2022 to Iowa Heart for a check up to see if Covid affected my heart-all good!
5-to neurologist in DM -had EMG (nerve & muscle test)
he suspected Myasthenia Gravis-put me on a med for that! Not the answer- all this time continued with Physical Therapy -Speech Therapy-& Pulmonary Therapy!! 
6-he sent me to a Neuromuscular Specialist in Iowa City
7-March 28-2022 Had another more sophisticated EMG test!!
Diagnosis from there-ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease)!!!!!!!  NOT WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR!!!
continued problems with my speech-shortness of breath-muscle weakness!! 

8-April 20-2022 attended the ALS Clinic in Ia City 
9-April had a swallow Study/X-Ray!!-no problem of aspiration!!
10-July 20, 2022-returned to Iowa City to another ALS Clinic!!  (They have them every 3 months!) Check progress or regression!  Pretty much the same!
they have been very helpful with Speech devices & education! Working with my Local Speech Therapist!!

11-August 1&2- went to Rochester for second opinion!  Another -more in-depth EMG test!! It was wicked!!!!  Diagnosis-ALS!!  Damn!!
The Dr there recommended to try one of the two meds available to “maybe” slow the progression!  Plan to start it next week—after MY VACATION!!  A much needed VACATION!!
 Also plan to go to Rochester to their ALS Clinic at least one time so as to compare the two—see which works best for me!  IC Speech Therapist & the ALS Association have been very good to me!  Rochester is closer by 1 hr!
(decisions to be made!) 

I continue to have slurred speech!! Shortness of breath! & muscle weakness!
 Working on help/education on Communication Devices!
my muscles are very sore & tired after this last EMG!!  I will recover!! Lol. 

We all know there is NO CURE for ALS!! Definitely not going down without a fight!!

 Just live your BEST LIFE TO THE FULLEST!!  Dr. Order!!
I plan to do just that!!!!  I thought I did - but it’s getting FULLER!
my Kids- Family- & Friends have been an enormous help! And Supportive!!

12-next UP—starting tomorrow—VACATION at OKOBOJI!
13-the next week- hosting my Sibling's for a week & having a “Celebration of LIFE “ with my Extended family!!  Thru all this-I have lost a Brother & two Sister in laws!!  We are “CELEBRATING THE LIVING & LOST”
Will appreciate any PRAYERS to hang on until a CURE is found!!  🙏🙏
THANK YOU & GOD BLESS!!
Sorry this is so long—it has been QUITE A STORM!!  Love you all!! 💕💕🙏🙏🙏. Marty