An update, a HUGE thank you to my nephew, and a new project...

John Pollman

Member
Messages
1,332
Location
Rochester Hills, MI
Hi folks,
haven't checked in for a while. Been dealing with my health issue so I haven't felt like posting much. I got some good news just before Christmas. My neurologist called and he had just gotten the results of my blood work back. It was great news. It looks like it's NOT ALS!! :thumb: However, he said that I do have Adult Onset Tay Sachs disease. He said that Tay Sachs is no walk in the park but it's 10,000 times better than dealing with ALS. It's very rare because Tay Sachs normally strikes infants from 3-6 months old and is fatal. They normally don't live past age three. Adult onset is very rare and there's apparently no cure for it either but it's not as bad as ALS. He's supposed to be one of the top ALS specialists in the country and he said that he's only seen two other cases of Adult Onset Tay Sachs in his twenty years in the specialty. The good news is that one of those cases was diagnosed twenty years ago and he's still alive. He has to be very careful but he can still walk with the assistance of a cane. So I've got a BIG challenge ahead of me but I'm going to do my best to deal with it and get the best results possible. I've changed my diet and am in the process of getting together the equipment for a home workout area that may help with slowing the progression of the disease hopefully. On to other things.

A few months ago I got a Facebook message from my nephew who was doing his tour of duty in Iraq. He said that he had some flags available that were flown over there and that if I wanted one, he'd bring me one. I responded that I'd LOVE to have one. He returned from Iraq not long before Thanksgiving. I just received my flag yesterday. I was shocked, it by far exceeded anything I had expected. It came in a nice full color box and when I opened it up, there was a certificate of authenticity signed by him and his entire crew. He's a door gunner on a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. It turns out that the flag was on board their hilo during a mission on August 01, 2011. (which just happens to be my son's 15th birthday) I was excited and couldn't wait to fly it, but I've had second thoughts. I think that I want to make a display case for the flag that will incorporate the certificate. I've also emailed him and asked him if he could get me a photo of himself and his crew together. I'd like to incorporate their photo into the display as well. I'm still trying to decide just how I want to do it, but I'll be sure to post some pics of it when it's complete. Here's a picture of the certificate that came with the flag...

flag cert.jpg
 
Hi John,

Excellent news on the health front. While not a walk through the park, it is a much better prognosis.

Several years ago, my brother sent me a flag that was flown above Al Asad airbase in Iraq on my birthday. I've also been meaning to make a frame to display the flag & certificate he sent. They are such simple things, but they mean an awful lot. :thumb:
 
Great news John. I will never forget the feeling of dread and then the feeling of joy that enveloped my body when I was told my symptoms were not ALS after all. I watch those shows (pawn stars) and wonder if there is stuff you should do to slow down deterioration such as type of wood and sealer and type of glass and if the paper against the flag will create issues. Just wondering, because it should have meaning for generations so want it to last that long.
 
That's what I'm thinking Bob. I was all excited to fly it, but I think I'm going to make a nice display box for it, the certificate, and hopefully a photo of my nephew and his crew. I've already got a nice flag to fly on the pole in my front yard. I was thinking like Jonathon was too about preserving it as long as possible. One if the first things I did was to make a high resolution scan of the certificate. It's a huge file but I don't care. I'm going to have several copies of the file saved to several different DVD's. That way if anything ever did happen to the cert. I could probably use the high resolution scan and have a new one printed up.

I've got a couple nice size pieces of Black Walnut hanging around that I didn't know what to do with. It should be plenty to do what I need for a display case. If I do it right, I think it will be beautiful. I love Black Walnut with the right finish on it!
 
I just got an email from my nephew. He's going to get a picture of himself and his crew and get it to me. I'm going to build a display case that will incorporate the flag, certificate, and the picture. I can't wait, it's going to be very cool! It may be a little while, but I'll post pics when I get it done.
 
John i feel for you. I admire your courage and positive spirit that you have approached your set back with. Wish you all the best a positive mental attitude will help tremendously.
But your nephew well thats a fine gift and will make a really great display even more so now you gonna get a pick to go with it.
 
Isn't it wonderful to have a nephew like that. I am glad that you are going to make a case for the flag. It needs to be treasured for the future. I'm also glad the case will be walnut. I REALLY like walnut.

I wish you well in the health department. I am glad it was not ALS.

Enjoy,

JimB
 
Good afternoon, John. I am SO sorry to hear about your medical condition. But, with the speed of new medicial discoveries, treatments, I hope they will find a cure for you.

WOW - The flag and providence and thoughtfullness of your nephew make a wonderful gift to cherish.

Bruce
 
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