“FOREVER ON THE UPSWING”
My friend Greg Hules died this morning. For those Alphas (persons with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency) lucky enough to have known him, he was a one-of-a-kind. For those who weren’t so lucky, Greg figured prominently in the last chapter my book, An Alpha-1 COPD Love Story. Here’s part of what I wrote about him.
By 1988, Alpha-1 emphysema had severely compromised Greg, then age 38. As a result, he joined a pulmonary rehabilitation course and then one thing led to another. By 1990, he had formed an Alpha-1 support group in San Francisco and then his group joined with another in Minnesota to form the Alpha-1 National Association. As sick as he was, Greg agreed to serve on the Executive Committee of the Association and later became its President.
Greg continued to serve the Association right up to his double lung transplant in 1997. Following his transplant, Greg first re-established himself as an entrepreneur. Later, he joined the board of the Alpha-1 Foundation and, from 2003 to 2004, served as its Chair. He finally rotated off in June 2011, after nine more years of service to the Alpha-1 community.
Greg wrote a piece for the Foundation’s Ten Year Retrospective. Its ending gives you the flavor of Greg better than I ever could. “My story began in the late ‘80’s. It is filled with memories of people who have made a difference . . . And tomorrow’s promise makes me believe our story has just begun. To those who have served in the past, to those that serve today, and to those who will join with us to make a difference tomorrow, I thank you. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!”
Greg was a Giant within our Alpha-1 community. We will all miss his can-do attitude and warm smile. Greg was also a wonderful husband to Sandi and a devoted father to their two boys. I will always remember Greg, however, as “forever on the upswing.”
Greg’s health began to seriously decline over the last couple of years. But from talking to Greg, you never would have known it. Whenever I asked Greg how he was feeling, he’d invariably reply, “Well, I’ve just been through a little rough patch, but now I’m on the upswing.” Whenever I begin to feel sorry for myself now, all I have to do is think of Greg. Then, as if by magic, a smile creeps back onto my face.
We have a wonderful tradition within our Alpha-1 community of honoring all those who have lost their battle with Alpha-1. We call them our “Alpha Angels.” Now Greg is one of our Alpha Angels. I know he is watching over all of us who loved him.
For people suffering from COPD, it is important for them to know that they are not alone. I was also a victim.
ReplyDeleteI had experienced shortness of breath, coughing, recurring chest infections and bronchitis. But I didn't realize that I had COPD until I went to my doctor and was diagnosed with COPD. The first thing I did was get myself informed. Having COPD hasn't slowed me down. Even though I had COPD I still played golf and involved myself in different exercise though I started smoking at 19 years of age I smoked almost a pack a day. The doctor had told me to quit smoking, it was frightening and frustrating, I thought it was to avoid stress. I learned about Dr. Lance Herbal Medicine from a friend. Now my life has turned around for good because I consider myself most fortunate.
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For people suffering from COPD, it is important for them to know that they are not alone. I was also a victim.
ReplyDeleteI had experienced shortness of breath, coughing, recurring chest infections and bronchitis. But I didn’t realize that I had COPD until I went to my doctor and was diagnosed with COPD. The first thing I did was get myself informed. Having COPD hasn’t slowed me down. Even though I had COPD I still played golf and involved myself in different excercise though I started smoking at 19 years of age I smoked almost a pack a day. The doctor had told me to quit smoking, it was frightening and frustrating, I thought it was to avoid stress. I learned about Dr. Lance Herbal Medicine from a friend. Now my life has turned around for good because I consider myself most fortunate.
There are so many people out there who have COPD and don’t realize it.
If you have COPD, many things are available to help you live a full, comfortable life don’t be ashamed of it.
I can’t speak for everyone. I can guarantee that this Herbal Medicine will work for you and I suggest you try it. It has done wonders for me. contact him on lancejustin54@gmail.com for more information and advice.
I'm Rachel and I own a herbal Therapy Center. What I am about to share with you is based on actual fact and I am not a socially irresponsible person. I am a woman of character and I believed that we have only one purpose for existing and that is to help our fellow humans. And everyday millions of other people are joining me and waking up to the understanding that love is the only thing that matters in this life.
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I have never told anyone this because I have never had any physical proof to back that up... until this day.
I have always told anyone who would listen the mystical work herbal remedy do for me when ever I'm in depression, I could say that because if it did that for me, it would do the same for anyone else.
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And with all the good things herbal remedy has done for my body, I still resisted the urge to tell anyone suffering with herpes that herbal remedy would cure them... but now I am here to tell you differently because I finally came in contact with Dr Utu an African Traditional Herbal Practitioner.
Few days ago I received an email from a young lady and she told me that her doctor has told her that her body is 100% free of any HSV virus. That her herpes has been cured! I could feel her bouncing off the walls through her email... and my heart was just as happy for her.
I have asked her to please post a comment on my YouTube Channel.
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I know there are a lot of people who will think this is too good to be true... but I have always believed that herbal remedy was a viable cure for herpes - but without any proof I felt it would be seriously irresponsible to tell anyone that it would.
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Why am I risking so much? Why don't I just wait for her? - Are you serious? This is the BIGGEST health breakthrough in my entire lifetime! I'm over 60 and there have been NO CURES for anything since the day I was born! The big pharmaceutical companies all know there is no money in a cure. The money is in teaching you and me to 'live with' and 'manage' deadly, body-wasting and disgusting diseases for our entire lives.
Imagine the joy all over the world when her story breaks! I invite you all to share in that joy with her and with me.
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5 years ago I had warts, I was treated with some liquid applied to the warts they continued to grow and spread... The next 2 doctors did laser surgery to remove them. 1 year after the surgery, they grew back close to where the 1st ones were' so I was finally told it was hpv. I have had it for very long time, I contract it from my cheated boyfriend and I found out he was also infected and I end up the relationship between us. the warts was so embarrasses because it started spreading all over I have be dealing with this things for very long time the last treatment I take was About 2 years ago I applied natural treatment from Dr onokun herbal cure, a week after applying the treatment all the warts was gone. it's now 2 years and some months I don't have single wart or any symptoms of hpv. wow"" it's great, Dr onokun has finally cured me. Anyone living with hpv contact Dr onokun for natural treatment.
ReplyDeleteHis email address: dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com
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