Glenview Women Demonstrate True Meaning of Friendship

Few things in life have such a deep and meaningful impact as our friendships.

For Cathy McGarvey and Lisa Zimmer, their friendship brought adventure and fun, but it also endured many challenging days.

The two women met in 1988 while working in their early jobs out of college. They became fast friends, socialized and traveled together. When Cathy got married and eventually moved to Glenview, Lisa, her husband Dave and their family weren’t far behind. They moved into a home only a few blocks from the McGarveys and the friendship deepened as the years passed and the families grew.

At age 47, Cathy began feeling weak and developed a limp in her left leg. She turned to Lisa, co-owner of the popular running store Fleet Feet Sports, for advice on how to build her strength. Lisa connected her to a physical therapist, but when there was no improvement, she identified a chiropractor; however he was unable to confirm the cause of Cathy’s symptoms. Meanwhile, Cathy’s condition was progressing and she began using a cane for mobility. She consulted a physician, a local neurologist who initially diagnosed Cathy with ALS, and eventually a neurologist at the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine who confirmed the diagnosis and provided Cathy’s ongoing care..

ALS is a terminal progressive disease that causes muscle weakness, difficulty speaking and swallowing, and, generally, complete paralysis. While some symptoms are treatable, there is no known prevention or cure for ALS.

Cathy called Lisa with the news, and immediately Lisa searched the Internet for information about the disease. When she read that ALS has a life expectancy of three to five year from the date of diagnosis, Lisa dropped everything and went to her dear friend’s home.

She promised Cathy she would be there through the entire experience, regardless of what was to come. And neither had any idea of what the future might bring.

Over the years, Lisa accompanied Cathy to day-long visits to the clinic where they would see a team of healthcare professionals, such as a neurologist, pulmonologist, dietician and occupational therapist. At Cathy’s home, she helped with daily tasks, including feeding and bathing. Lisa learned how to handle the necessary medical equipment and administer treatments, all with guidance and support from the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s Support Services Team.

“Serving as one of Cathy’s primary caregivers strengthened our friendship, but also challenged it during some of the darker times,” said Lisa. “ALS is a horrible disease that affects the person living with it as well as everyone in their world. The experience taught me about life and death, friendship and love, and my own physical and emotional capabilities. I won’t lie, it was extremely difficult, but I would do it again.”

A small group of Cathy’ closest friends also contributed as caregivers, and Cathy’s family shared the responsibilities when not working or at school. They each witnessed the impact of ALS on Cathy; in her final months, she was unable to walk, unable to speak, unable to eat solid foods and struggled to breathe on her own, but she remained strong-willed, witty and thoughtful.

When the caregiving duties became too much emotionally and physically, Lisa and Cathy’s husband hired a professional caregiver. The women continued to play a key role in caring for their friend.

Cathy lost her brave battle against ALS in January of 2017 at the age of 51.

“The day Cathy passed away, I had been by her side at hospice until I needed to step out for an errand,” said Lisa. “While I was out, surrounded by loved ones, including the other women on our caregiving team, Cathy drew her final breath. Finally, Cathy was at peace.”

As a way to support the Les Turner ALS Foundation and the ALS community, Lisa has recruited the other caregivers, her family and the McGarveys to run in Cathy’s memory at the Strike Out ALS 5k and 1 Mile Run, Walk & Roll at Guaranteed Rate Field on Saturday, July 13. Runners with Fleet Feet will also be at the start line.

Day-of registration for the Strike Out ALS event will open at 7a.m. For more information, visit www.StrikeOutALS5k.org.