Saturday, September 29, 2012

Never Forgotten

My heart breaks every day, sometimes the smile on my face is forced, but deep inside I am struggling with the loss of the most amazing man I have ever met. My dad was my rock and my hero. 



He led a strong fight against ALS by personally battling the disease, so my sister and I are taking over his legacy and leading the battle for ALS personally with our team called Freckle Fairies. Our team has worked hard to raised almost $2,500 for the ALS walk on Sunday, September 30th.  Check out our team page and donate today or register to walk with us tomorrow.

click on http://www.alsa.org/ and search for Columbus Walk or find our team page:
https://secure2.convio.net/alsa/site/TRAPIPreview?page_type=fr_team_page&fr_id=8156


Goal:
$1,750.00
Achieved:
$2,439.86

Monday, September 17, 2012

Freedom

As many of you may have heard, dad gained his freedom from ALS on Sunday, September 16.  His sudden death was unexpected as the week leading up to his passing was full of rapid decline. It was agnozing watching dad suffer and now we can take comfort in knowing he is free from pain. I have never seen a man fight so hard to overcome so much as dad did in the past 10 weeks. He was truly a hero to me, a remarkable father and a genuine friend to many.

Here is a copy of the obituary which will appear in the columbus dispatch tomorrow.

SCHLESINGER  Justin Schlesinger, age 68, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 16, 2012. Preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Esther Schlesinger. He is survived by his wife, Marcia; daughters, Eileen (Todd) Elswick and Erica Schlesinger; son, Howard Schlesinger; grandchildren, Addison, Andrew, Brooke, Zachary, Dyllan, Shane, Samantha and Damien; brother-in-law, Bernie (Bobbi) Stevens.  The family will gather with friends at 12:15pm on Wednesday, September 19th at the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Chapel, 5600 E. Broad St. with a graveside service to follow at 1:00pm with Rabbi Cary Kozberg officiating. Family and friends are welcome to gather for Shiva at the Schlesinger residence on Wednesday and Thursday from 5-8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association - Central and Southern Ohio Chapter www.webcsoh.alsa.org.

Online guestbook at www.epsteinmemorial.com  Epstein Memorial Chapel3232 E. Main StreetColumbus, OH 43213614.235.3232

We would also like to encourage those who can, to join our family and friends to walk with us on September 30th for the annual Walk to Defeat ALS Columbus Walk in memory of dad.  Location:Fred Beekman Park, OSU. Registration is at 10 am, walk begins at 11 am.  Dad was really looking forward to attending and it brings us such sadness to know he will only be with us in spirit. Register online -ALS Association - Central and Southern Ohio Chapter www.webcsoh.alsa.org. Click on  Walk to Defeat ALS and search for our team-Freckle Fairies.

I love you daddy!!!! I miss you terribly.  Life is just not the same...

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Prayers

My heart is breaking...dad's health has taken a turn for the worse. He toughed out 9 weeks of his injury and we are not sure how much longer we will have him. Please say a prayer. The suffering is unbearable.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!


Dad got to enjoy a rare moment on Sunday. We took him to one of Addi's softball scrimmages. 
Great weather! It was a very emotional time, full of happy tears.

These days, dad only gets out of the house for an occasional doctor appointment, so it was wonderful to get him out of the house and enjoying the little things in life that mean the most-spending time with the family.

Unfortunately, dad was having a rough day and was struggling with breathing and swallowing.  He is back at Zusman Hospice for the week on respite care.  I hope he starts feeling better soon, Addi has another game next Sunday in Lancaster. 

Also, the ALS walk is a few weeks away, we need him better to walk with us.  Our dogs, Boss and Chloe will be walking in honor of dad too!


Sunday, September 9, 2012

O-H...

I-O!!!
Go bucks!!!

 Nothing like getting ready for the big game only to find out the cable is out! I swear, if it wasn't'for bad luck,
mom and dad wouldn't have any luck at all!



...well, they do have some luck
-Zusman Hospice
-Medicaid caregivers
-Urban Meyers taking over OSU and 2-0 record
-A great network of family and friends

        


Saturday, September 8, 2012

September 8-Kindness from Kentucky

Watching someone struggle with ALS is heartbreaking.  Everyday is a battle, as anyone who has a sick loved one or had a sick loved one can attest to.  It tests your strength to stay emotionally strong, it tests your limits physically, it challenges your life and the way you live.  Most importantly, through sharing stories to others, you can find support and strength to fight the battle in unexpected ways.  

The other day, I talked to a man who will be printing the tshirts for the ALS walk.  He shared how he lost his father in law to ALS.  His father in law searched for a diagnosis for years and finally was diagnosed on a Tuesday with only 6 months to live.  Sadly, he gained his freedom from ALS just 3 days later.  ALS sucks!

My sister received this FB message from a coworker who just moved to KY last week.  Michael's intent was to offer words of encouragement to Erica, but as she shared this letter with me, I was touched and moved by his words...so much so, that I just had to include it this blog.  Sorry Michael, I hope I didn't ruin your hardass rep!!! Lol. Thanks for allowing me to share your message and thanks for donating to ALS.


Hey friend,

Just settling in here in Louisville and got a chance to flip through FB. A simple "like" to your recent posts about your Dad would be woefully inadequate. I would hate to ruin my rep as "the hardass who fires people", but the courage you, and your family, is showing brought me to tears (yes, I have a heart, but don't tell anyone). I am fiercely loyal to my family and shared a bond with my "Pop" that appears to be similar to the one you have with your Dad. I know how rewarding that can be and, I'm betting, that you would be the first to say how lucky you are.

I've always held you in high esteem, professionally, but I feel blessed to get to see a different side of you. I know what it feels like to see your father as a hero, and also to watch that hero struggle with a significant medical condition. Our language lacks sufficient adjectives to accurately describe just how much it sucks. I've always hated the word "fair". Simply doesn't exist. Even for the most positive, hopeful and upbeat people, anger and sadness can begin to creep into the picture. I pray that your family continues to use humor, love and even the ocassional cry, to navigate the path ahead. 

How great it is that your family is facing this disease with humor and love. I'm guessing these are two things with which you were raised and two things that will continue to play a significant role in who you are.
We are simultaneously blessed, and cursed, by having such unwaivering loyalty to family. Many of our peers will never know the love that this kind of bond with a parent creates. 

The price we pay for such fortune is the pain of helplessness we feel as we try to help them. I suppose it's quite similar to the love and devotion our parents felt for us as children. It really does come full circle.
I would be honored to donate to the cause in your Dad's name. Take care.......and don't forget, that means taking care of yourself, too.

All the best,
Michael

Please remember if you plan to walk with us on September 30th, register under our team name freckle fairies. Each person who registers, will be given a personal page to help raise funds for our team in honor in dad.  

We are also creating team t-shirts to be handed out the day of the walk. Shirts will be around $12.00.
Once you register, we will contact you about ordering a shirt.  T-shirt order deadline is September 15th. 

Visit the ALS site today:
http://webcsoh.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/CentralandSouthernOhio?fr_id=8156&pg=entry

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

September 4-Celebrating 2 months!

Today marks the 2 month anniversary of dad's fall.  He has made tremendous progress, despite the odds against him.  Being at home and surrounded by amazing caregivers and family has made a difference.  In celebration of dad's recovery, my sis has created a team called Freckle Fairies through the ALS Central and Southern Ohio website .  The ALS association is holding its annual walk at the end of the month to help raise money to find a cure for this disease.   
Please join our family and dad by joining Walk to Defeat ALS. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes someone gains their freedom from this disease. 

Lou Gehrig's Disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

Please help defeat ALS by donating to this organization and help us reach our goal of $1,000. 

Check out my personal page for Walk to Defeat ALS:
http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/CentralandSouthernOhio?px=3541696&pg=personal&fr_id=8156

If you can walk with us, please send me a message or a comment.  We would love to have a large team of family and friends support dad as he fights this difficult disease.


Columbus Walk - 9/30/2012
Walk Check-in: 10:00 AM
Walk Starts: 11:00 AM
Location: Fred Beekman Park-OSU





                                           Dad-2 month recovery mark!