TIM JOHNSON
Staff Writer
©Daily Nonpareil 2003
05/31/2003

IOWA, Pat Hudek of Council Bluffs is proof that exercise is good for people.

Hudek, one of 30,000 Americans who suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is slowing the progress of the illness through therapy and exercise.

"It's really actually improved my strength," she said.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association, which also assists ALS patients, is putting a spotlight on the rare disease in May as part of ALS Awareness Month.

ALS destroys nerve cells that control muscles, ultimately causing paralysis while leaving mental functioning intact, MDA materials state. At present, there is no cure for the deadly disease, and the cause isn't fully understood.

"It destroys the motor neurons, and that causes atrophy of the muscles," Hudek's husband, Al, said.

Hudek began having trouble with her voice about 4 1/2 years ago, she said. At first, her speech was just slower. Then, she began to lose her voice. She had no other symptoms. Her regular doctor was unable to figure out the problem.

In September 2000, she went to see a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

"When we went to Mayo, they immediately knew what it was - when the neurologist heard her talk," Al said.

Doctors made the diagnosis and told her she had three to five years to live.

"But I'm going to prove them wrong," she said.

The Mayo Clinic referred Hudek to an MDA-sponsored clinic at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where specialists have helped her develop a program of therapy and exercise to maintain strength in her muscles, she said.

Her care team includes a neurologist, physician, speech therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist and MDA representative. They have given her physical and occupational therapy and exercises to do at home, as well as medication and information on vitamins and nutrition. She sees the neurologist, Dr. Gary Pattee, every three months.

In addition, Hudek has continued to participate in physical activities as much as possible, she said.

"She likes to golf, and she was able to keep golfing for a couple years," Al said.

About 1 1/2 years after diagnosis, she began having trouble walking and had to quit golfing, she said.

However, Hudek has water therapy twice a week at the Council Bluffs Senior Center, where a zero-depth entry allows people to take wheelchairs down into the water.

"Alegent Health sends a water therapist," she said. "They work one-on-one with you. It's wonderful."

MDA helped Hudek adapt her home to make getting around easier, she said. She now has safety bars in the bathroom and a deck with a ramp leading up to the house.

"I use a walker and have weakness in the legs and in the arms - and, lately, some in the neck, too," she said.

"When we leave the house, we push her in a wheelchair," Al said. "We've done a lot of things."

MDA would help her get a motorized wheelchair, if she decided to get one, he said.

One of the things Hudek likes to do is shop, she said. She goes with a granddaughter who is a student at Iowa Western Community College.

"She's my best shopping buddy," she said.

Support from her church has helped Hudek maintain her positive attitude.

"My faith has been very helpful, and Father Kottas has been very supportive," she said.