February 25,2020

I can’t Believe another year has rolled around... It is still so very hard for me to process that my sweet Harrison is gone. I miss him so very much! He is still the first thing on my mind every morning , and the last thing I think of every night before I go to sleep .

Harrison’s sister and I want to keep Harrison’s memory and good works alive by continuing to walk and raise money for ALS.

Please come join our team in support of all of Harrison’s hard work, on Saturday April 25 at the 2020 Walk to Defeat ALS. We will again be in the parking area behind the Bridger Field House , at the Wake Forest , Football field off Deacon Blvd. we would love to see you and hug your necks!!

You can sign up with the link provided...If you have any questions , email me at robinsmail27@gmail.com or text or call me at 336-408-3856.

Love and blessings to you all!
Robin Anderson


April 23, 2019

I have put off giving an update this year, because it's just so difficult for me to write our story for the last year.

Things got progressively worse for Harrison since the last ALS walk in May of last year.

He stood steadfast in his faith, continue to try to help others, and ministered to those that needed Christ in their life.

Harrison continued to be the wonderful, sweet, unselfish person that he always was.

We started out with a CNA around August of last year, Brea. She was a wonderful addition to our home and Harrison and I loved and still love her. She was wonderful with Harrison taking care of his needs daily.

Then in November things had really progressed and it took two people at all times to help move Harrison and take care of him. We were blessed with help, round-the-clock CNA's That was a blessing from a family member who loved Harrison dearly. The people who came into Harrison's life, the CNAs became very loving and devoted to Harrison. Kristi was very special to us as well. We so appreciated the help of all of them.

By mid December things were really rough. Harrisons ability to breathe was terrible! At this point he couldn't rollover in the bed, move his legs or arms.

We were thankful for Hospice and all of their help! They were a Godsend as well.

Friends came and visited and told Harrison how much they loved him. Family was always around and they too let Harrison know how much they loved him.

On Saturday, December 29, at 10:39 AM, with me holding his hand, in a room full of family who loved him so much, Harrison went to be with our Lord and Savior. Free from ALS.. Now he breeds freely, walks the streets of gold, with his dogs nipping at his heels, his dad by his side, and his Heavenly Father adoring him.

Harrison... You were the best thing that ever happened to me! I loved you dearly, and I still do. I will never get over losing you. We had 8 1/2 years together. It wasn't enough! You made me be a better person. You used to tell me all the time that I made you be a better person, but really you made me be a better person. You were my soulmate. You were by far the best person I have ever known. Your kindness, your compassion , your love for God, and your love for mankind made you the special person that you will always be to me and everyone who knew you. I love you Harrison And I will continue walk in your honor and your memory . I love you

February 9, 2018

Hello family and friends!

I would like to update you from last year and our Journey with the "beast", the "monster".... ALS

I hate ALS! I really do! Harrison says "it's a thief! I agree with him. It robs you a little every day...

When Harrison was diagnosed March 2 , 2016 his breathing was at 97%. Normal. We had such hopes . Hopes for a cure. Hopes for a drug to slow it down. Now, Harrison's breathing is very compromised. December 20 at the ALS clinic his breathing was at 52 %. So it has dropped 45 %, in less than 2 years. We are pretty confident it has dropped even more. He goes back to clinic the first week in March.

When your breathing is compromised, it makes walking and any physical activity impossible ( if you are able to still walk) . Just walking outside of your home to get in your car can cause you to be completely winded. Harrison now has a non invasive ventilator, called a Trilogy machine. He uses it all night and much of the day. It can be very scary when you can't breathe. Scary to Harrison and scary for me to watch.... Did I mention I HATE ALS?!?

Harrison now walks with a "roll aid" or a rolling walker. It gives me comfort , as I worry a little less about a fall. He has been loaned an "electric scooter" which will help keep him independent , and not confined to home. We are so grateful for the loan of the scooter

I had an auto accident a month ago and totaled my car that I loved so much. It made me sad. But I feel like it happened for a reason. It has made us assess our situation and we have decided it was time to get a handicapped accessible van with a lift. They are VERY expensive. We were blessed that Harrison found a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan handicapped van for $6500. I received $3500 for my totaled vehicle, so we only have to come up with $3000 for the Van. I am not sure we would have bought it, had I not wrecked. So I feel that God was letting us know, " it was time". We are hoping that this helps keep Harrison as independent as possible. Being home bound would be horrible for him. Between the electric scooter and the Van, we are hopeful to keep going.

ALS causes muscle atrophy. Atrophy of all of the muscles. It is causing it to be hard to walk, breathe and use his hands. ALS is brutal!

We have been to Boston twice and Harrison donated blood to "Patients like me" for research. They also came to our house about a month ago for another blood draw.

Harrison has participated in donating blood and spinal fluid at Wake Baptist Medical Center so the research Doc and Dr Caress can use it for their research. We must find a cure!!!!

I love my husband so so much. I pray every day for God's mercy for a Harrison and I pray for a cure.

Please consider a donation . Please consider joining our team. Come walk with us on Saturday April 28 , 2018 at the BBT Football field. We love you, and are so very grateful for your supportâ

May God's blessings rain down on you.

Robin Anderson

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March 25,2017

Hello,

An update from a year ago, when Harrison and I began our journey with ALS. After the initial shock of learning that Harrison has ALS, we decided to work hard to try and raise funds to help find a cure for ALS. We worked hard, and last year at the ALS Walk in Winston Salem, we had the largest team with the most folks walking, and we raised the most money. Over $12,000. Thank you to all of you who walked and contributed! You bless us! This year, our goal is to continue to have the largest team, and I would love to raise at least $11,000.

Since the Walk, Harrison has participated in 2 clinical trials. He washed out of the first trial, as it made him too sick. The second trial was only a 3 month trial, and we won' t know if he actually got the drug, until 2018. I would be lying if I said that this journey is easy. It is not. It is hard. It is heartbreaking. I love my husband so very much, and I am helpless. ALS makes both the person who haves it, and the loved ones, helpless. Sometimes I am angry. Most times I am sad. Sad, because unless we find a cure, this disease will take my husband away from me. It will take my best friend from me. My life as I know it will be gone. I will be devastated.

We go to the ALS Clinic at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Dr. James Caress is Harrison's ALS doc. We think the world of him. I would hate to have his job. He has to tell people they have a terminal illness. He has to break people's hearts. Can you imagine having that job? Our team at the ALS Clinic are fantastic. Theresa, Dr. Caress' nurse, Little Teresa who always has a smile on her face, and welcomes you with hugs, and gets you where you need to go. Mozdeh, who is a doc, and she works putting together the Clinical trials. We love her. There is the physical therapist, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, and Lynn the Socail Worker who is there for anything we might need. All of these folks are a blessing to us. There is a little lady, who lost her husband to ALS a few years ago, who comes to clinic and makes sure that lunch is provided for us, and others, when when spend a large part of the day at the ALS Clinic.

Harrison has slower progression than most. However, it is progressing. It started off in his left thumb and index finger. It has progressed into that hand and now into his right hand. His hands , arms and left leg are atrophying. This is what ALS does. It is now starting in his left leg. He has muscle twitches all over his body. I hate it when I see the muscles twitching. It is a reminder to me that the disease is working on him. My husband prided himself in working out. He had a muscular body. ALS is a theif! I hate it!

Harrison loves to work. He loves to help people find their "home". He is so good at it too! He is such a great realtor! He cares about his clients. He is honest. He is not just out for the sale. He is there for his client. I am so proud of him and what he does. He wants to work as long as possible. It is hard to use a key to open doors, but he can still do it. We are praying that he doesnt start falling. If he does, it will make it impossible to continue working. He loves his job. He would be lost without it.

We need a cure. He is hoping to start at new drug trial in May or June as soon as it is available. With drug trials, you do not know if you are even getting the drug or a placebo. That sucks! There is a drug that has been used in Japan for a couple of years, that hopefully will arrive here in the US this summer, and get FDA Approval. We pray that perhaps this will help.. We pray a lot.

I refuse however, to let ALS test my faith in God. I am not angry at God. Without God present in our lives, Harrison and I could not go on. Without our friends, family and Church family, we could not face each day. You all are a blessing to us.

Thank you for supporting us with your prayers, your love, and by joining us in the "Walk to defeat ALS". God bless you all. Please continue to pray for us.

With much love,

Robin Anderson

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Hello, Those of you who know me, know how much I love my sweet husband, Harrison Anderson. We met 6 years ago, July 29, 2010. Our first date was at " Nacho Daddy's". From the moment I met him, I knew I had to see him again. It was "meant to be". During that conversation at Nacho Daddy's, Harrison asked me, "did you use to work at JC Penney's. I said "yes, when I was 19". He worked there then too. He remembered me, and thought way back then that I was pretty. I was floored that he remembered me after 30+ years. I had no idea how much he would come to mean to me. He helped me through what I thought then, was the hardest time of my life. A very ugly divorce. He became my best friend, my strongest defender, and the "love of my life!

We married February 18, 2012. It was a beautiful ceremony, and a day full of friends and love. Harrison , you see was a bachelor and at the tender age of 56 decided to take me as his wife, and my two children as his stepchildren. We have adored each other and treasured our time together. We are two peas in a pod, most times living in our on "little bubble". We love being together, going to Church together, talking to each other, spending time at our camper at the beach. Most of all we love laughing together. He saved my life! He has made me laugh at least once a day since I have met him. I want 44 more years of marriage with him!

Harrison started noticing last September that his index finger and thumb on his left hand was not working quite right. He didnt pay much attention to it. We are getting older you know. Not everything works like it used to! But after an appointment with his doctor after the New Year, he went to see more doctors, had an MRI and EMG's. We were given the diagnosis Wednesday March 2, at the ALS Clinic at Wake Baptist Medical Center by Dr. James Caress. Harrison has ALS. Lou Gehrig's disease. I will have to say it was the worst day of my life! I cried a million tears, until my face actually hurt from the sting of the salt in my tears.

While Harrison and I are both Christians, and we know that God has prepared a place for us in Heaven, I would really love it if God could let Harrison stay here with me for a long time. You see I love this man so very much. He is everything to me. He is a good and kind, decent man. A caring man.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progresive, 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. ALS can affect anyone. It knows no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries.

Presently there is no known cause as to why some people get ALS, though support is bringing researchers closer to an answer. In the meantime it costs an average of $200,000 a year to provide the care ALS patients need.

PLEASE, PLEASE make a difference! Donate or join our team "Hap's Heroes" walk with us on Saturday May 7th in Winston Salem at the BBT food ball field. Registration is at 9am and the ALS Walk begins at 10am.

Harrison has an old nickname that was many years ago, before I met him. Lots of his friends know him as "Hap". That is why our team is named "Hap's Heroes", because you are my hero if you are walking or donating to support ALS!

If you would like to join our team "Hap's Heroes", please email me and let me know... Hapsheroes2defeatals@gmail.com [1] . If you want to donate but cannot walk , please go online and donate in honor of "Hap's Heroes" or you can get a check to me made out to ALS.

You see... now is the hardest time of my life! I have to help raise money to find a cure for ALS. My husbands life depends on it.

Thank you ... love and peace...

Robin Anderson

Links:
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[1] mailto:Hapsheroes@gmail.com