Friday, January 2, 2026 – Day 507

Friday, January 2, 2026

Good morning, everyone. Happy Friday.

Pondering question: is this an actual workday for people? It seems to me most folks would be off since yesterday was a holiday. Just saying.

So I get all settled in this morning. Cindy always gets up with me, helps disconnect me from the feeding pump, makes sure I have my coffee (which I barely touch these days), and gives me my one pill that can’t be crushed or split. She carefully makes sure I swallow it instead of choking on it. Once she’s satisfied I don’t need anything else, she wisely goes back to bed until 7:00 am or later.

This morning, we did our routine almost on autopilot. After she left, I felt like I had a runny nose. Uh oh… I thought—whatever Cindy has been fighting this past week, I might be getting. I grabbed a tissue (thankfully, we have them everywhere—five boxes on the main floor alone) and wiped my nose. The tissue came back bright red.

Yikes. 😱
Bloody nose.

And then it seemed to pour. I managed to stay ahead of it, and after about 20 minutes it finally clotted (I could make a rhyme here), and I was good.

I’m pretty sure the cause is a combination of the respirator mask, dry winter air, and sitting near a fire most of the day. I do have a bubbler to add humidity to the respirator, but if I crank it too high, I hear bubbling in the line—and it sounds like I’m swimming with Nemo. So I’ll have to find the right balance and add a little more moisture to the air.

If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Geez. 🙄

On a positive note: a couple of weeks ago, my feeding tube was swapped out—and I was given the wrong tube. I received a note from the GI doctor’s office saying the error will be corrected. I don’t have a date yet, but they’re hoping to do the procedure next week. Hopefully, this swap will be a positive change. Sometimes it feels like the age-old adage applies here: be careful what you wish for.

Yesterday, I received a text from Nikki. She wanted to share her first day of training for the Chicago Marathon. Last year, she sent photos throughout her training, and in every single one she looked happy, strong, and ready to take on the world. Never worn. Never tired. Never sweaty. I’m not sure how she does that.

Yesterday, on her inaugural training run, she also shared who she’s dedicating this year’s marathon to. Last year it was me. This year… I got bumped.

Here’s what she wrote:

“First run of my 2026 marathon training!!

Today I ran for Angel Peggy. Last year I ran thinking about running for Dad and a reminder of how grateful everyone should be to run, walk, and tie their shoes. Today was my first run after signing up for the marathon. And I thought about how much money we raised last year. And how far that money goes for ALS United to give everyone that needs it an Angel Peggy - who answers every single call ready to drop everything to help.”

That text absolutely melted my heart.

To recognize Peggy—the person who’s been by our side since the diagnosis in August 2024—guiding us, offering advice, holding us up when we were lost and overwhelmed, always responding immediately to every question, and ultimately becoming a friend in this difficult journey… that says everything.

Angel Peggy has been our lifeline. We truly would have been lost without her. I’m not exaggerating—she’s that good.

Nikki… you did good here. Now I have to dry my eyes, again. 🥲

Have a great Friday. Love you guys! ❤️

Photo: Nikki on her first training run for the 2026 Chicago Marathon (10/11/26)