His thin, frail frame seems small surrounded by the big blue cushions of his recliner as he sits in the bedroom of his Cedar Mountain home. Just behind his chair is a sliding glass door that opens up to a breathtaking vista of the mountains as they hint at fall foliage.
In quiet, hushed tones, the 39-year-old discusses his life-threatening illness, communicating with the help of several caregivers who are with him around the clock.
Words that once tumbled so easily out of his mouth, a boon when he was a practicing attorney, now are painful reminders of a disease that all but shuts down speech ability in its assault on the body.
Bomba said he suspects he had Lou Gehrig's disease before he was officially diagnosed with it in 1995.
An avid runner, he began to notice he was becoming tired more easily during his daily workouts. Thinking that between working in a busy law practice and running he was doing too much, he cut out his daily runs.
The tired, lethargic feeling remained. A trip to the doctor turned his world upside down when he learned the terrible news.
He is lucky to still be alive. Seven years after learning he had ALS, Bomba has surprised just about everyone with his staying power, especially living with a disease that typically kills people within three to five years.
The mixed blessing of Bomba's continued survival is that he has outlived most of his financial resources. He has depleted funds from an insurance policy and although he still has money coming in from a disability policy, there is a gap of about $2,000, which is the amount needed monthly to pay for his in-home nursing care, said retired judge Steve Franks.
Franks sent out a letter to area attorneys in March explaining Bomba's circumstances and asking for help. Response to the letter raised $14,000, but more is needed, he said.
"He appeared in front of me several times when I was on the District Court bench, and he was an excellent lawyer," Franks said. "We're really hoping to get people involved in this because he's such a good person who needs some help."
No one knows what causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but it is rare, striking three to five of every 100,000 people.
Many doctors are familiar with the symptoms of ALS. For example, they know that the disease affects motor nerve cells both in the brain and the spine, causing a gradual loss of muscle control, including the ability to walk, speak, eat and eventually breathe.
Bomba credits a strict regimen of alternative treatments including metal detoxification and massage therapy with helping him beat the odds so far, but time is precious when living with an incurable disease, he said.
A couple of theories surrounding the cause of ALS have to do with a viral infection or immune system dysfunction. Several other ideas regarding the disease's source focus on environmental toxins.
For this reason, Bomba is extremely careful about what he puts into his body, changing several years ago to a vegetarian diet in addition to undergoing heavy metal detoxification.
Acting on a suspicion held in some circles that mercury is a cause of ALS, Bomba began the metal detoxification treatments four years ago, trying any and every treatment in an effort to prolong his life.
Among his arsenal of alternative treatments are acupuncture, clay baths to draw toxins from the body and chi gong, an Eastern treatment during which a trained practitioner draws negative energy from a person by running his hands along the patient's body a few inches above the skin to remove it.
Bomba's sister, Bonnie, provides care for him at night, often in 16-hour shifts. She marvels at his perseverance and good humor.
"He never gets sick, and someone with ALS gets sick all the time, because the immune system is so deteriorated," she said. "His determination to meet this illness head-on has just been amazing."
Bomba's upbeat attitude in the face of such overwhelming odds is a daily inspiration.
"I'm praying for healing to occur. It is necessary to consistently have a positive outlook," he said. "I work hard at that."
Anyone wishing to send in a donation should make a check out to Chris Bomba ALS Fund and send it to Friends of Chris Bomba at P.O. Box 845, Hendersonville N.C. 28793.