My twin sister, who enjoyed hiking and photography, Lori Martinson Christie has passed on from a relentless disease called ALS. Her beloved children were amazing in their support and loving care of her at the end. Andrea stood by her side til the very end. Robert flew out and spent time with her before his return. Our brother, Scott came, our cousin Dan and our family did what we could to make her feel loved. Our sisters, Lisa and Laura cared for her a week before she was placed in a hospital for the remainder of her life. Her beloved fiancee Dean spent what time he could to be with her, her first husband Richard traveled to see her and second husband Leonard as well. Everyone that could make it came to say their farewells til we meet again.
From the onset of symptoms 1 1/2 years ago....her view was it had to be the mold in the home she resided in. She had lived there for around three years. She was still hiking but at home she sunk into watching TV or social media immersion and expressed a feeling of depression. This was not the fun loving twin who danced, and embraced her life! She began dating her third love, Dean Flowers and became focused on pursuing a new exciting chapter of her life. As they dated, it turned into love and they chose to move into his home together. This included her leaving behind that home with the mold issues that the owner failed to fix correctly. I helped her move by packing up her entire home and cleaning it. Then she suddenly started having physical issues, twitches, balance issues, emotional issues pertaining to sudden tears and anger at times. There was a steady decline but she fought hard to get better choosing homeopathic care. She had what appeared to be a brief enough remission to go out with me to watch my son perform with a band...I had to hold her hand to keep her steady while she walked. She asked if she could dance with my husband and was able to only for two song..how joyous she was!
As I looked back on her facebook page I saw how she had actually hiked 6 miles only 11 months prior to passing on. She did see a neurologist finally but got her final diagnosis at UW ALS Clinic only six weeks prior to her death. She was in a hospital for the last weeks of her life. Moved to Sequim but the private home didn't work out. She then was taken to the hospital in bad shape in Port Angeles, WA. She called me saying she had only 2 days left. We had to take a boat for 4 hours and drove 2 hours to make it there. She could talk but it was a different voice we heard. There is dialogue I wish to share....these are things she said. "Romy, Romy, Romy, save me!" "Romy, Romy, Romy, help me!" "Romy, Romy Romy dont let them kill me!" and so much more. As I began to cry in the corner after she got medication...she looked over at me and said..."What do we do when people cry? We sing!" and made cute little noises. Lori was moved at her daughter, Andrea's request to a room with an open water view....she told her that was she was in a castle by the sea. My brother held her hand as she slipped away. We started breathing within 8 minutes of each other and walked together throughout our lives...and now I walk alone.... I will see her in all the beauty the world has to offer...
