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6 | September 12, 2019 | the mokena messenger news mokenamessenger.com Mokena woman to participate in ALS Walk for Life T.J. Kremer III, Editor Lori Hoover is preparing to take a walk on Sunday, Sept. 15. It’s a 2-mile walk around Soldier Field and the surrounding lakefront. It may be the most difficult, and rewarding, walk she’s ever made in her life. The 62-year-old Mokena resident is a mother, a sister and a woman living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — ALS. The walk is called the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s ALS Walk for Life. Hoover and her family have formed a team have formed a team, Lori’s Legion, and they will be joined by approximately 7,000 other participants as they walk to raise awareness and fundraise for ALS research. Last November Hoover’s right hand began to atrophy, so she went to see her doctor who thought the cause might be arthritis related. But her condition was worsening. In February Hoover was put through a battery of tests, including electromyography, which Pictured are (left to right) Lindsey Bell, Kurt Hoover, Lori Hoover, Kyle Hoover and Ryan Bell. Lori Hoover, a Mokena resident living with ALS, is scheduled to walk in the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s ALS Walk for Life Sunday, Sept. 15, at Soldier Field. Photo submitted Bob Spychalski BROKER • Customized Marketing Campaign • Free professional & drone photography • Strong online & social media exposure • My listing’s SOLD faster than market average • Local Resident 630.728.8490 spysold.com PRIDE REALTY BOB SPYCHALSKI 5 Star Rating uncovered the true nature of Hoover’s condition: possible motor neuron disease. Another round of tests in April confirmed those results. In May Hoover was advised to go to a neurologist at the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine where the ALS diagnosis was confirmed. By this time Hoover’s speech was becoming increasingly impaired and she had lost all strength in her right hand and arm. Hoover was forced to quit her job in July, where she worked in a shipping and receiving department of a distribution center, because she could no longer perform the tasks expected of the position. “Everyday things that people take for granted, I can’t do anymore,” Hoover said. “Writing, comb my hair, put clothes on; everything that — you know, easy stuff — I can do, but I struggle. I have to have someone come by and do it for me. Simple things. Cut my nails. Shave my legs. I cut myself a lot shaving my legs.” Perhaps surprisingly, the tone in Hoover’s voice as she describes how ALS has affected her everyday routine is not one of bitterness or anger; rather, she sounds hopeful and even laughs at how she has cut her legs shaving many times now. “I try to stay really positive, you know,” Hoover said. Her positivity is not misplaced. Today, Hoover is taking a new drug that was approved in 2017 for those with ALS. It is called Radicava, and Hoover says it has improved her speech. She takes the drug at home as an infusion. A nurse comes by to place the needle, but the rest of the treatment is done with the help of her son Ryan Ball and her sister Donna Cain. Hoover’s regimen requires that she take the drug for 10 days, then take 14 days off, then start the cycle again. Hoover has high praise for the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine. She said the services they provide, including support groups and information about her disease, have helped her immensely. But, perhaps equally — if not more — important to Hoover is the support she receives from family and friends. “Having a positive attitude helps, but more importantly having a good support system family friends and an occasional prayer doesn’t hurt,” she said. That support helped Hoover be able to promote the Walk for Life on social media. “I had my son make me a Facebook page so that we could raise some money and raise some awareness for [ALS],” Hoover said. “And, also, I really want to do the walk to help support the foundation.” Lori’s Legion is currently 44-people strong and has raised nearly $4,000. “I’m going to try to do the whole 2 miles [walking in the Walk for Life]. We’ll see,” Hoover said. For more information on Hoover’s Walk for Life, visit facebook.com/do nate/1320214711460970/.
mokenamessenger.com school the mokena messenger | September 12, 2019 | 7 the Mokena messenger’s Standout Student Sponsored by Marquette Bank Vicki Tran, Lincoln- Way Central sophomore What is one essential you must have when studying? I always need a TV or have any kind of noise in the background. I could never study in complete silence. Snacks are also a must for me when I am doing homework. What do you like to do when you are not in school or studying? I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also love finding new things to watch on Netflix and YouTube. What is your dream job? My dream job is to be a physician assistant specializing in pediatrics at Lurie Children’s Hospital. After being treated at Lurie a few years ago I became inspired by an amazing group of people who made a scary experience much more bearable. What is one thing people don’t know about you? Mot people don’t know that I was born in California and I moved to Illinois when I was 3. I love going back to California whenever I can to visit my relatives. Whom do you look up to and why? I look up to my sisters Kelly and Melissa. They always support everything I do and give me advice whenever I need it. Their success in pretty much everything they do inspires me to do the same in my own way. The person I am today is influenced by what they have taught me. What’s your favorite class? My favorite class is Spanish with Senorita Gruszka. Everyday I learn something new about the language and the culture of those who speak it. It’s cool to see how similar Spanish is to English and how I can apply it to my everyday life. What’s one thing that stands out about your school? How everyone os always willing to help each other. If I’m struggling with homework or need advice, I always have someone I can go to, whether from a classmate or faculty member. What extracurriculars do you wish your school had? I wish there was a club Photo submitted for students interested in working in the medical field when they get older. It would be cool to visit/ volunteer at hospitals and learn about the different professions in the medical field. What is your favorite thing to eat in the cafeteria? Tater tots and curly fries in the snack bar. What is your best memory from school? My best memory has been being on the badminton team at Central. It helped me learn the importance of patience, hard work and perseverance. My teammates have taught me to never give up and to always believe in myself, even when a game is tough. Standout Student is a weekly feature for The Mokena Messenger. Nominations come from Mokena-area schools. YOUR CANCER FIGHTING PARTNER ADVANCED CANCER CARE CLOSE TO HOME We provide world-class cancer care close to home with our state-of-the-art cancer fighting services all under one roof. Our team of specialists work together to provide compassionate advanced cancer care with the same cutting-edge therapies as alarger academic center. AtFranciscan Health, there is no wait! Youcan see acancer specialist within 24 hours! Advanced targeted radiation therapy Immunotherapy Minimally invasive cancer surgery Comprehensive breast center Brand-new infusion center Dedicated nurse navigators Full range of cancer screenings Latest research and clinical trials Valet car services for our patients Cancer survivorship programs (708) 679-2380 3900 West 203rd Street •Olympia Fields TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR AND CONNECT WITH ACANCER NURSE! FranciscanHealth.org/FightCancer Some of these doctors are independent physicians who choose to practice at Franciscan Health.
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