Ingrid Schoenfeldter here.  Thought I'd write in here to let you know how things are going  for me.

I have my good days as well as my bad ones.  Some days it's all I can do to get out of bed or not think about my father's recent passing.  It's really been hard on not only me but my entire family; my brothers and sisters are suffering right along with me.

Also, my health is something to be desired.  All I seem to do lately is go from one doctor to another, anything to get answers as to how this disease, progressive muscular atrophy, is going to affect me in the future.

Right now I use forearm crutches to get around.  Some day soon I may need a wheelchair; I do have one, but haven't bothered to use it yet.  I don't want to lose my independence that quickly!  I don't like the crutches; however, I should be grateful that I can still walk.

The weather is finally starting to warm up.  It's been a long, cold winter; I've stayed in most days unless it's to go to doctor's appointments or see my brothers and sisters.  It's hard to get around in snow on crutches; I've fallen a few times, which does not help!  *OW*

I miss Maikken, Hjalmar, Kjell, Maija, Freja, Kalle, Lunt, and Frans when they aren't here; I maybe see them once every week or two; most of them work.  I did work myself, but have had to quit since having this darned PMA!  I know they miss Father, too; maybe they're afraid of making my health worse, so they avoid me, which makes me sad.

I can't wait until spring:  maybe the warmer temperatures will do my body some good.  I know it will be easier to get  around:  I won't have to negotiate big drifts of snow as much or risk falling on ice!  I also love the sounds of birds singing or the smell of flowers; maybe that will help lift my dragging spirits.

I didn't realize just how much death takes out of a person until we lost our parents.  I still see them, hear their voices; I then wake up, realize that they're no longer here, and I cry!  I have been trying to write more in  my journal, as a way of helping me deal with my grief or health; you can see where that's gotten me.  I'm a terrible journal-keeper!

I don't know what this year holds for our family, but I am praying to God above that it's much kinder to us than the past several months have been!  I've had enough of sickness or sad times to last me the rest of my life!

I will try to do better regarding my journaling; I promise!  :)

Well, it's time for me to go.  Have to leave for Dr. Karlsen's office within the hour.  Hopefully I will have a good report.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is your friend Ingrid saying so long for now!

~Love, your Norwegian friend, Ingrid Elsbeth Schoenfeldter.  :)

I look at that picture of me taken before all of this happened, and I think of how I miss my old life; it makes me cry!  :(  Don't have any pictures of me now; too ashamed to be seen on my crutches or in my chair!!

~Ingrid.