This saga started in early fall of 2006 when my left hand started getting weak. By November of 2006 I was constantly dropping anything I held in my left hand. Doctors thought I pinched a nerve. They were mistaken.

The following months and years brought MRIs, EMGs (the most awful medical test ever!), x-rays, blood tests & all sorts of other crazy exams that were far less than pleasant.

My previous diagnosis of Monomelic Amyotrophy was been changed to Probable ALS in of April, 2009. That means my symptoms don't match MMA anymore, but they don't yet match ALS.

My doctor said if I had the "classic" presentation of ALS, I'd already be dead. Of course, I'd also be dead if I had "classic" run-over-by-a-bus or "classic" accidental-industrial-fireworks-explosion, so there's no point in dwelling on it.

I'm pretty sure I have a disease unique only to me. It's characterized by an affinity for spicy foods, muscle wasting and the complete inability to take anything seriously.