Fall, 2009 - Donna and her fight against ALS
is featured in Lehigh Valley Hospital's Healthy You Magazine.
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A Full Life Despite ALS
Local woman isn’t letting Lou Gehrig’s disease stop her
Donna Katcher of Salisbury Township is already dreaming about the wildlife she’ll see when she visits Alaska next year. She and her husband, Paul (with her in the photo above), have photographed big-horned sheep, moose, buffalo,elk, alligators and more in their quest to visit as many national parks as they can. Once home, they frame the best shots.
Diagnosed four years ago at age 46 with a terminal neuromuscular disorder called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Katcher recognizes the importance of doing and surrounding yourself with what you love. “We’re traveling to faraway places now, while I’m up to it physically,” she says.
Her first symptoms of ALS, which is commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, were severe stabbing pains in her calf and a slight, occasional facial twitch. Katcher has been very fit and active all her life (she’s even in the Lehigh Valley Softball Hall of Fame). But she noticed she didn’t feel quite right while exercising. “I felt a little weak and my coordination was off,” she says.
Local woman isn’t letting Lou Gehrig’s disease stop her
Donna Katcher of Salisbury Township is already dreaming about the wildlife she’ll see when she visits Alaska next year. She and her husband, Paul (with her in the photo above), have photographed big-horned sheep, moose, buffalo,elk, alligators and more in their quest to visit as many national parks as they can. Once home, they frame the best shots.
Diagnosed four years ago at age 46 with a terminal neuromuscular disorder called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Katcher recognizes the importance of doing and surrounding yourself with what you love. “We’re traveling to faraway places now, while I’m up to it physically,” she says.
Her first symptoms of ALS, which is commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, were severe stabbing pains in her calf and a slight, occasional facial twitch. Katcher has been very fit and active all her life (she’s even in the Lehigh Valley Softball Hall of Fame). But she noticed she didn’t feel quite right while exercising. “I felt a little weak and my coordination was off,” she says.
Still a team, Donna Katcher,
back row 3rd from left
She saw several doctors throughout the region who attempted to treat her symptoms. It was Glenn Mackin, M.D., a neurologist and ALS specialist with Lehigh Valley Health Network, who discovered the underlying cause. In the process, he used blood tests, a brain MRI, spinal tap, muscle biopsy and comprehensive electromyography (EMG) to measure the electrical activity of her muscles.
(Still a team—Donna Katcher (back row, third from left) and other members of Parkland High School’s state championship softball team still enjoy get togethers like this one in 2006.)
ALS is a progressive disease that weakens the nerves that control muscle strength. It isn’t curable, but it is treatable. “There is no doubt an ALS diagnosis changes lives,” Mackin says. “But there are good resources to help patients and their families.” One of those is the ALS Clinic at Lehigh Valley Health Network.
“Our multidisciplinary care team is the ‘pit crew’ for ALS patients,” Mackin says. “We take care of them and get them back on track for as long as possible.” Patients choose which treatment options best help them live with ALS their way— including rehabilitation therapy, pain management, mental health services, information sessions and support groups. For now, Katcher relies mostly on her friends and family for support. Her life is filled with travel and time spent with those she loves, particularly her teammates from the 1975 Parkland High School state championship softball team. Her Walk to Defeat ALS team, “Donna’s Dugout,” has attracted more than 100 participants.
“The human spirit is incredible,” Mackin says. “When someone has ALS, you see family and friends come forward and do extraordinary things. It’s a privilege as a physician to be part of that.”
(Still a team—Donna Katcher (back row, third from left) and other members of Parkland High School’s state championship softball team still enjoy get togethers like this one in 2006.)
ALS is a progressive disease that weakens the nerves that control muscle strength. It isn’t curable, but it is treatable. “There is no doubt an ALS diagnosis changes lives,” Mackin says. “But there are good resources to help patients and their families.” One of those is the ALS Clinic at Lehigh Valley Health Network.
“Our multidisciplinary care team is the ‘pit crew’ for ALS patients,” Mackin says. “We take care of them and get them back on track for as long as possible.” Patients choose which treatment options best help them live with ALS their way— including rehabilitation therapy, pain management, mental health services, information sessions and support groups. For now, Katcher relies mostly on her friends and family for support. Her life is filled with travel and time spent with those she loves, particularly her teammates from the 1975 Parkland High School state championship softball team. Her Walk to Defeat ALS team, “Donna’s Dugout,” has attracted more than 100 participants.
“The human spirit is incredible,” Mackin says. “When someone has ALS, you see family and friends come forward and do extraordinary things. It’s a privilege as a physician to be part of that.”
