Sandy Cooley:
CLASS OF 1980
Mesa High SchoolClass of 1980
Mesa, AZ
Sandy's Story
There are many things that I would absolutely LOVE to do such as camping, going out to concerts, going out to dine & have fun, seeing movies, meeting old friends etc. But over my almost 30 years of marriage, I haven't been able to do hardly any of these things because my husband became extremely ill with a chronic illness similar to multiple sclerosis, that causes him to be in continuous pain at all times, along with extremely low stamina. He worked for the first nine years of our marriage as a computer technician, software engineer, and computer consultant (which wasn't easy because his health problems acted up constantly) but he just continued to push himself and push himself to go to work and do his job, until finally he started collapsing onto the floor because he would suddenly become so weak that he could no longer stand! So after nine years of marriage, he became totally bedridden (unable to get to the bathroom without my help)and of course was unable to work or do anything else.
So being a dedicate wife who vowed to be there for him in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer etc. I am his care giver, and this chronic illness is the kind that stays with you for LIFE (at least in the severe cases like his). Researchers believe that the illness is caused by an Aids like virus - that causes constant flu like symptoms as well as extreme weakness and inability to function, cognitive problems, memory problems, trouble with balance and dizzi...Expand for more
ness etc..... But the victims of the illness didn't get the virus the way Aids patients do - in other words, it's not caused or transferred by sexual activity etc. The researchers are constantly at work trying to discover what the true cause is because more and more people are becoming sick and disabled by it.
So he remains disabled to this day, and 95-99% bedridden. He stays on the couch with pillows to prop him up into a reclining position so he can use his computer (which I set up for him on the coffee table right next to his couch) so he can have it there to use whenever he feels well enough. He enjoys sports (especially basketball) Go Phoenix Suns!! He also enjoys music - as he used to be a song writer and terrific singer and piano player. But he no longer has the strength to sit and play the piano, or the ability to sing because of the low stamina and he can't seem to get enough air or strength to sing. He's doing good just to talk many times. He also enjoys using a small electronic keyboard that we bought so he could use it on his lap while on the couch. Most of the time sitting in an upright position, like to play a piano or sit at a desk or dinner table, causes him to feel very sick and he'll have to stop and lie down.
We have two wonderful and beautiful daughters who are both married, and our first grand child is about to be born any time now. She should be born this week some time. Can't hardly wait!! Thanks for reading our story.
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