Ingrid Schoenfeldter here.  Sorry for not writing; have been busy doing research on my condition, to see what lies ahead for me.

While PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) is a serious illness in the neuromuscular group of diseases (these cause musle wasting and death as the diseases progress), it isn't as serious as some, like Lew Gehrig's or Doochain's muscular distrophy.  People can live for years after a diagnosis of PMA, with slow progression of the disease.

That is very comforting; however, the thought of having to give up my exercise, my skiing, or whatever still has me worried because I don't know what's ahead.  I don't relish the thought of sitting in a wheelchair, my legs turning into useless blobs of jelly!!  That's not me!!

I guess while I still can, I should try to look at the good side of my illness.  Slow progression, meaning many more years of an active lifestyle.  NOT quick in progression, meaning I won't be dying in a year or so, like people do when they get a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's or myesthenia gravis, which are ten times worse.  And besides, I don't have to worry about Doochain's muscular distrophy:  that strikes only boys, and I am definitely NOT a male, and am way past my childhood days!!  LOL

I will have to eventually shop for a wheelchair or supportive walking devices (crutches, canes, perhaps, maybe even a walker??); for now I won't worry about that.  I will live in the here and now, enjoy my life as I live it, not make myself sicker by worrying about things that I am unable to change!

I am just glad I have supportive friends (Frekka, Tajar, Hans, etc.), who will stick by my side, get me through these upcoming days.  I know I will have days where I will cry, bemoan my fate; this is when I will need their supoort most of all, as I cry upon their shoulders.

I also have my relatives to look to.  They will no doubt be as shocked as I was when I got my diagnosis just a few weeks back; in time the shock will fade, and we will get through this time together, as good, strong families should.  My immediate family knows about my illness; they were there at the beginning, and they still continue to stand right beside me, which I greatly appreciate!

My family has been praying for me; maybe this is why I am doing better than most people after a life-changing illness/diagnosis.

I have my faith in God to get me through.  I am a Christian; have been one since I was only a child.

Well, I am going to go now.  Am going to go out to eat with Frekka; she's invited me to go to lunch with her at Olive Garden, which is a good Italian restaurant here in town.  (Frekka loves Italian food!  So do I, now that I come to think of it!! *drool, drool!*  LOL)  After we eat at Olive Garden, we may go shopping while I still have some time left before I go back home to Norway next week! 

I will write in here perhaps one more time before I go back home, and will continue to keep you updated on my life once I get back there.  I feel my story isn't done, not by a long shot!  Until then, this is your friend Ingrid Schoenfeldter signing off!  Take care and may God bless you!

~Love and hugs, your Norwegian friend, Ingrid Schoenfeldter. :)