I can’t believe that it’s been two weeks since that powerful and extremely moving ‘ER’ episode entitled ‘Body and Soul,’ guest starring James Woods. I must congratulate NBC, the producers and writers of ER, all the actors, specifically James Woods and the ALS Association. It’s quite an undertaking to portray the progression of a person with ALS in a one-hour episode less 15 to 20 minutes of commercials.
I know I have a slow progression of ALS, but I’ve been around long enough to see all stages of this disease. I simply don’t believe they could have done a better job of educating the public in such a short time. The episode included such details as assistive communication technology, noninvasive ventilation (BiPAP), DNR orders, emotional incontinence, slurred speech and the possible range of feelings, one with ALS might experience. I’m sure I even left out a few.
The caregiver role was addressed, but just barely. To be honest, that could be a whole other episode. At least they showed her in the early stages as young, energetic and vibrant. At the hospital, she wore no makeup, had tousled hair with bags under her eyes.
I thought it was very clever to use flashbacks in order to view the progression of ALS with James Woods’ character, Dr. Lennox. In the last flashback, 1999, he is seen in his classroom full of energy, even lifting a 155 pound student. His first symptom was subtle, as it usually is, by the simple dropping of the molecule model, as he talked Abby out of dropping his class. The emotional struggle was evident after he got his diagnosis and decided not to pursue the relationship with his assistant. Dr. Lennox was having trouble balancing and was trying to use his opposite hand on the stair rail, when he fell and broke his wrist. Finally, slurred speech and breathing difficulty was evident in the first flashback.
This script writing for this episode was very well done. They were able to include so many descriptive details, as opposed to simply mentioning the assistive devices. I contemplated the possible double meaning in one of the first scenes when Dr. Lennox’s voice synthesizer says, “want out, please.” And again, “let me out, please, let me out.” I think the writers could have used many different phrases; however, this one said to me, let him out of his body, as well as out of the hospital.
James Woods was interviewed by Katie Couric on the Today Show the morning the episode aired. He obviously went over his allotted airtime as Katie kept trying to cut him off. He was so passionate about getting as many details in as possible. James shared that he had the opportunity to speak with six different ALS patients in different progressions thanks to the ALS Association and the patients that volunteered their time. The show would not have been the same without their help. Thank you all.
The talents of James Woods will not go unnoticed. I have no doubt that he will win the award for Best Guest Actor in a Series. The community of ALS has a dear friend in James Woods. I have to imagine more awareness was brought to ALS in this one-hour show and related interviews since ‘Tuesdays with Morrie.’ We now have one more frame of reference to allude to when describing ALS.
It was extremely emotional to watch the show, but necessary all the same. My biggest concern was that they got it right in the allotted time they had. I feel they did. The most difficult part of the episode was the discussion and procedure of inserting the trach. It seemed as though Dr. Lennox’s advance directives were known yet there remained confusion. When Dr. Lockhart assumed she had consent to put the trach in, my bride Jennifer broke down in tears. She wasn’t sure if she would be strong enough to handle the same situation if it were me. She knows my wishes and they are documented. Even so, if Jennifer is not ready to let me go and there is a persistent doctor, she is concerned about the ability to follow those wishes. If there is any doubt, I know the right decision will be made. I am at peace about it all.
I welcome and encourage any comments to this posting. It is a great conduit for discussion and awareness.
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