Hello! My name is Heidi Good Swiacki. I have been married to Steve for 25 years, which has been filled with laughter, trust and love. We have 2 great kids, Ashton 22 and Chris 16. I have ALS, aka Lou Gehrigs Disease. I was officially diagnosed March '05, I was just turning 45. This blog will be about a myriad of topics. I will share my ALS story which will hopefully encourage others. It will show that quality of life comes in many forms. I have to tell you up front that there will be some spiritual references. Don't be afraid or turned off by that. Since I have had ALS I have seen many miracles. Let's be realistic, who can be a happy, non-verbal,ventilated quadriplegic without Faith? I hope you will join me and make this an interesting, educational, inspirational forum. Humor and the ability to enjoy life is required! :)


Heidi passed away 3-25-13 :(


August 4, 2013

Hello, Steve here. To help with the healing process, I am going to continue on with Heidi's blog, primarily talking about our lives and how we as a family are learning to live on with Heidi's memories pushing us forward. Topics covered will be geared towards the affects ALS has on loved ones.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Let's catch up.

It's been waaay too long since I have said Hi. A lot has gone on in 2 months. The highlights are I was sick for about 6 weeks and it turns out I had Diabetes. This was odd to me since I have been on a feeding tube for 3 years. Apparently the old pancreas is getting tired. Fortunately the only thing I had to do was change my food. It took a little bit to find the right food and balance but according to my doctor on Friday, the Diabetes is a "non issue " now, as long as long as my numbers are good.. To the folks who have to test their blood sugar, I feel your pain! the Lord let me dodge that bullet!
I had a great visit from our San Diego cousins, passing through to San Francisco. Bonnie was joined by her mom Roseanne and Bonnie's 2 girls, Molly and Jackie. We visited for a couple hours and it was great to see them. 

Molly, Bonnie, Jackie and Aunt Roseanne 
 Other than that excitement I have finally filed our taxes ..yay. Behind schedule because I felt so lousy for so long, but it's done. It was my Mother's Day gift to myself. Oh, big news...I had a birthday. What's so big about that, you say?  Well my friends threw me a "Hen Party" (no men). I knew something was happening but I had NO idea who was coming to this shin dig. It was really fantastic to see  about 15 of my girlfriends there, full of laughs and teasing. It was such a wonderful surprise and the perfect gift. Talk about feeling loved. We enjoyed cupcakes and a delicious punch that looked kind of funny(sorry Susan). What a group of friends!!




The Hen Party 
 The kids are doing great. Ashton is finishing finals, only 1 more semester to go and she will graduate with her education degree, specialty in Special Needs. This summer she will be working with a River Rafting company and still do table service at a very "happening" place. How fun is that! Ah, to be in your 20's again. Chris is getting ready for finals. Counting the days for school to end! He has a job through my friend Janis that has been great for him. It's flexible and Janis' husband is a window installer/handyman. Chris will learn a lot from him. Grandma is still scurrying around keeping the house presentable, trimming hedges, washing windows from a ladder!! She did fall doing something stupid and cracked a rib. Did she slow down? A little but not for long. The minute she feels well she is tackling a project. Then she is down for a day of rest with her dog Sammy.

sam saying happy birthday 
Steve?  He is working very hard so by the time he gets home, he is dead tired. The magic of our Friday Date Night is over. He has been selling his mother's things which is emotional. The money is going towards my caregiving costs so that adds to his stress, it's not even being used for something fun.

What I need to do is find a job - any ideas??
Movie recommendation - Hugo. It took me by surprise , a delightful story.


 It's been a couple interesting months but everything is back on track and moving forward.
Watch for the next post which talks about the very personal decision to go on ventilation (life support) or not .  Thanks for checking in.

Heidi