In my previous post, I said my Aunt Cathy started this nonprofit, but I want to clarify that she set up this fund through Help Hope Live to facilitate this tax-deductible fundraising campaign. Thanks Aunt Cathy! Now what are you waiting for? Go read my last post, "Exciting News!"

My creative, brilliant Aunt Cathy created a nonprofit to raise funds for my care, meaning going forward, all donations to my care through the nonprofit are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE! Please check out the nonprofit Rachel Doboga Campaign website at https://helphopelive.org/campaign/16990/ This website is very special to me, not only because one of my role models worked so tirelessly … Continue reading Exciting News!

I screamed when I heard that my 28 year old daughter was diagnosed with ALS. Looking back, I knew something was very wrong when she dragged her leg as we walked through the parking lot of her apartment complex. A mother always knows, right? But I never guessed this. The night that the phone call came … Continue reading A Letter from My Mother on the Anniversary of My ALS Diagnosis

"We have to talk," Evan says in that scary way, the way a person uses right before they say they have an addiction or they've emptied your savings account."What is it?" I ask, heart racing."Have you noticed that it's been taking longer for me to clean you up on the toilet?""Yes," I say cautiously."That's because … Continue reading Losing Control

I got the vaccine March 30th, the perfect birthday gift! I am now 34, which I know is still young, but I can't help but wonder where the time goes. I have had ALS for nearly six years. I was a teenager 20 years ago. Evan and I have been together 15 years! We were … Continue reading Where Does the Time Go?

First, I must thank you for your generous donations to Friends of Rachel after my call for help for respite funds for Evan in my last post, "Disappearing Act." You teach me about generosity each time I ask for donations. Now on to my health, mental and physical. Both are not good. I sleep 18 … Continue reading Health Update: Facing an Old Enemy

"Love ya, Sweet Rach!" my primary caregiver called over her shoulder with a big smile, her typical 5 o'clock farewell. I was so completely dependent on her, so used to waking up to her face, that I could never in my wildest dreams imagine she simply would disappear from my life. My main caregiver quit … Continue reading Disappearing Act

If we are going to do this, it has to be fast. I'm not in the driver's seat anymore. Who knows how much time I have before It takes over again? It appeared without any known cause, but It acted fast. I wake up with a racing heart, overwhelmed by even the thought of brushing … Continue reading Health Update: I am not in the driver’s seat anymore

Day 8. Today is full of visitors, which I need right now.I wake up to a beautiful tattooed arm of black etchings of roses I would know anywhere. It's Lorraina, the dear caregiver who was there at the very beginning of this wretched journey, reaching out to squeeze my hand.. "Oh Rach, I just want … Continue reading Health Update Part 3 / 3 : Depression and Sweet Release

Day 4. Air, beautiful air! Over the five years I have had ALS, I forgot how it feels to take a full breath. I wish I had done this months ago. (Dr. Libby, take that and rejoice!)My mom arrives, and the first words out of her mouth are, "You look so good!"Evan tells crazy stories … Continue reading Health Update Part 2 /3 : More Unfortunate Events and Some Romance