ALS Can Kiss My Butt
 

In the interest of brevity, I'll make a very long story very short.

About 8 months ago, I started to have weakness in my feet and ankles.
The problems progressed to my legs, arms, back and neck.
On March 5th, after a million tests, scans and such, the doctor
looked me in the eye and told me I have ALS.

I rarely get sick. I haven't missed a day of work in 25 years.
I run marathons. I've always enjoyed great health, so the news
was unexpected and hard to take to say the least.

I'm a very positive person by nature, and I love a challenge, so
this disease won't stop me from enjoying life.

I sold my motorcycles and my triathlon bike and my beloved Corvette
because I can no longer shift gears or pedal. I've had to move my bedroom
downstairs because stairs are the devil. I've made dozens of other
consolative changes in my life, but I'm not giving up my SeaCraft. Yet.

I'm looking forward to at least one more summer on the boat, and
ALS won't steal that from me.

I wanted to thank everyone here for the kind words and advice that
allowed me to make the dream of owning and enjoying
a classic SeaCraft a reality.
It means a lot. Trust me.

ALS has no known cause, no treatment and no cure.
Unless you help.
If you have a few minutes, stop by the ALS website.
Throw them a couple of bucks if you are able.
Thank you.

http://www.alsa.org/

I hope y'all have a great summer on the water.
I know I will!

Enjoy every day you can!

I've enjoyed your posts and dig your Seafari which I hope continues to inspire your great attitude. Best wishes for your adventure and enjoyment together.

David

My thoughts and prayers are with you Tony. You once said when my Seafari burned down "the world needs more yellow, not less". Hang in there, keep the positive attitude and give that yellow Seafari a good ride! Medical science can move forward at an incredible rate and knowledge is mostly limited by funding. You can bet I am donating.

Hi Tony-

I love your attitude and think your plan to enjoy your summer on your beloved Seafari with family and friends is a fantastic one.

May have you fair winds and following seas.

-Ed-

DogB - Enjoy the seacraft and every minute. That's a god awful disease. I can't imagine what you are going though. If there is anything we can do to make your remaining bucket list happen, please don't be afraid to ask.

Oh my, our west coast crew is having to many issues !
Most of you are not aware that Gillie has been under going Chemo
over the last couple of weeks as well ...:(

My friend and business partner of 42 years is battling cancer of the worst kind
to !!

You guys are in our prayers for sure....

Hang in there ...

Dogbomb,

I have enjoyed your post as you brought that yellow Seafari back to it's glory! Now, it's time for "Careless Whiskers" to return the favor.

Positive thoughts sent to you to have many enjoyable cruises on your Seafari this summer and beyond.

You inspire us with your spirit!

Lloyd

Done.
I am really hoping for the best for you.
Have an EXCELLENT summer.

Thoughts and prayers, man.
ALS is insidious.
I admire your attitude - don't give up!

Wow, what a tough break. The posts and photos of you enjoying your Seafari were very inspirational to me as I worked to bring my own Seafari back from the dead. Tony, thanks for your help and encouragement along the way. Run the snot out of that machine this summer, and make a lot of good memories, to tide you over for the work you have to do ahead. Best wishes for your road ahead.....

And the same to Gilly too, if he is lurking on here in between treatments.

Keep your faith and positive attitude.
Heath issues also caused the dreaded day I saw my SeaCaft head down the highway behind a new owners truck after 33 years of ownership.
Our prayers will also accompany your fight.
Capt Chuck and Crew

I remember as a kid The book The Wind in the willows and there is a very good quote that seems pretty apropos: "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Go mess around in your boat.

Sorry to hear that. Attitude means a lot. Praying for you.

Keep a strong attitude and run the snot outta that boat. We'll keep praying!

Thank you so much! The kind words and support mean a lot, trust me!

I wanted to thank everyone for the responses and notes and general support.
This is a great group of folks and y'all should be very proud of yourselves.

I'll keep fighting and I'll have that yeller boat back in the water ASAP!

Tony,
I'm so very sorry to hear this news. I was just thinking about you a few days back as I knew you were a runner and wasn't sure if you were in Boston for the marathon.Im at a loss for words and I'm not sure if the power of prayer can change things but consider it done,and Donation made as well.
I wish you all the best. We never met in person but I feel like I've known you for years after the time we spent as buyer and seller of that Yellow Seafari that you did such a remarkably beautiful job in making it look new again.
I'll be checking in on you every so often to see how you're doing if you don't mind. And as others wrote a positive attitude can help in many ways. I wish you the best and if nothing else I'm only a call or email away even if nothing other than a chat.
Take care and get out on that boat.

John R

Sad News
 

Tony-
So sorry. But please remember through prayer miracles can happen. I have seen that in the lives of some of my fellow church members. You will be in my prayers. I recall some of the exchanges we have made about our yellow
Seafaris. Best wishes for calm waters and recovery.
BTW i was a Corvette owner for 35 years with the last one a 1968, yellow of course!

Tony - I saw this yesterday. There is an incredible amount of money and energy going into research for a cure.

https://www.boston.com/news/educatio...0-million-gift

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Brown University’s brain science institute has been given $100 million to advance the understanding of the brain and what causes Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Thank you, John!
Yes, although we never met in person, I do consider you a close friend,
because you took a gamble on a crazy guy in California and got my
all time favorite boat to me safely.

I appreciate your time and your kindness more than I can say.
Please check in anytime. I'm always glad to chat!

Cheers, and I hope you're doing great.
Tony