Robin was a person that was  very seldom ever sick and was always more concerned about the health and wellfair of those closest to him. 
2021 began like any other year for us. We began to plan for activities and family events as well as vacation just the two of us. Work, kids and grandkids kept us busy. Robin began to feel more tired than usual and more under the weather than he ever had been in the years that we had been together. He always brushed it off as work and life stresses. 
Summer time for Robin and I was always time spent riding and traveling on motorcycle. This summer we spent less and less time on the bike. He was always tired. We still spent time with family and friends but something just seemed off. He would always say he was fine. 
By September his exhaustion was getting the better of him and his temper would flare over small things. When on a bike trip with friends he had trouble handling his bike we knew something was not right. I encouraged him to see the doctor. He had begun to rapidly lose weight and had no appetite. He then noticed he was starting to have double vision. Trips to doctors and some testing wasn't finding anything but I knew something wasn't right. I continued to push him to see the doctor and get more tests. 
By the beginning of November he was unable to use his phone, had trouble walking, eating. He was showing signs of a possible stroke so we took him to the E.R. After a few tests they told us he was not having a stroke and sent us home. He had begun to hallucinate, could barely feed himself, needed help getting to the bathroom, dressing and most basic needs. The hallucinations began to get worse and I was scared. We took him back to the hospital. I explained all that was happening and they finally admitted him. 
They did several tests and no one could tell me what was happening. I fought and argued with doctors every day for more testing as the man I loved deteriorated in front of me.  
  After almost two weeks all they could tell me was that he was having seizures but not why and medication was not working. The decision to transfer him to Cleveland Clinic was made. By this time Robin was no longer able to communicate or eat. 
Robin was not there 24 hrs and they had a diagnosis of CJD. When the doctors gave me the information on this disease I felt myself go numb. I walked into our bedroom and calapsed to the floor. Our friend came in and sat with me, holding me tight as my world crashed in. No treatment, no cure. How was I going to give this news to our children, grandchildren, our family. 
Our friends took me to Cleveland and sat with me as the doctors told me about this disease. They promised they would do extensive testing to make sure. I had to go home that night and tell our 3 children and begin talking to our family. After a week of testing they had their final diagnosis and the 3 kids and I met with doctors to make decisions on his final care. 
We asked to have him brought to Hospice near home so we could be with him. 
We were able to bring family and close friends in to see him. I spent every moment I could with him along with our children, grandchildren, our moms, siblings, aunts, uncles & cousins and several close friends.
Robin lost his fight with CJD at 9:13am on Friday December 10, 2021. 
 

To donate to my personal fundraising page, text STRIDES2023 to 50155. 

Donations of $250 and above are considered sponsorships.

Sponsorship Levels:

• Premier: $20,000
• Diamond: $10,000
• Platinum: $5,000
• Gold: $1,000
• Silver: $500
• Bronze: $250

Premier, Diamond, and Platinum Sponsors will have their name or logo displayed on participant t-shirts, the Strides for CJD website, and signage. Gold Sponsors will have their name or logo displayed on the Strides for CJD website, and will have their name (not their logo) listed on participant T-shirts and signage. Silver and Bronze Sponsors will have their name listed on the Strides for CJD website only.