Street Talk: Carson man overcomes rare disease ... For now

It's been nine years since we last talked with Bill Riordan for a Street Talk visit and I can tell you he's had eight "good years" and one "year of Hell" since then.

It began on a nice, pleasant day in June of last year when Bill, while playing golf, felt "a terrible pain" in his back that would forever change his life.

Bill, who is 57 and was born in Chicago, was one of the better golfers around and carried a 10-handicap when disaster struck.

"I reached over to pick up a golf ball and had a terrible pain in my back that put me on the ground," said Bill as we talked about what happened. "I've never played golf since."

Bill was in "pretty bad shape" and no one seemed to know why.

"I was in pain 24-hours a day, every day," he said. "I went to nine different specialists and none could figure out what I had. I went to San Francisco, to UC Davis, to the Woodland Clinic in Northern California and no one could help. I had seven MRI's and no one could figure out what I had."

His life was miserable and even though he was living with the pain, it didn't go away and he was soon to learn he had rare disease.

"After six months in constant pain and walking with a walker and later a cane, I found out I had Stiff Man's Syndrome," he informed. "That's a rare muscle disease that causes spasms. I was actually the first case of that disease any of the doctors had seen and some had never even heard of it. I became their first patient with it and a guinea pig. They used a lot of different medications on me and I had two back operations but the pain persisted and life was rough for me and my family."

Before we continue Bill's "painful year" story, let's talk about his family and more with Bill. He's married to Cynde, who is 42 and was born in Alameda, Calif.

"We've been together 18 years and married for 13 years," said Bill. "I have three children from my previous marriage and I got them when we divorced. Cynde and I raised them together."

Daughter Kim, 35, lives in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Bill said Kim is "getting married in May" in Las Vegas and is a Carson High School graduate, as are the other two kids. Daughter Cathy lives here and is 33 and works for the state. Her husband Bailey works for the city and they have Bill and Cynde's "only two grandchildren" who are girls. Son John is 29 and lives in Salt Lake City.

"At home we have three dogs, one cat and one bird named Scooter," said a smiling Bill as he continued. "Scooter is a parrot we've had for six years. He talks and can say at least 100 words. .... That's our family now."

Cynde has three sisters and one brother who all live out-of-state and Cynde is the second oldest. Bill has three brothers and one sister, Nancy, who lives in Las Vegas.

John is the beverage manager for the Carson Station and Pinon Plaza. Mike lives in Las Vegas but did live in Carson Country for a few years in the early 1970's. Paxton lives in Borger, Texas.

"My mom Helen is still alive and also lives in Borger," added Bill. "My dad Lefty passed away in 1988."

Bill and Cynde met at the Ormsby House.

"We were both working there at the time," he said happily. "We got married here in Carson City. We live in our three-bedroom home here. We've been in it seven years. We first bought the lot its on and then had our home built. We're very happy here."

Bill is the table games manager for both the Pinon Plaza and the Carson Station. Bill has been "in the gaming business forever" since he started as a busboy at age 17. He's been a waiter, a key person and a security guard before he "started dealing" when he turned 21 years of age.

"I was a boxman, floorman, pit boss and shift manager and later a casino manager," Bill said. "I worked at the Ormsby House for 15 years (1972-87) before going to the Carson Station. I enjoyed my time at the Ormsby House and I'm enjoying working at the Station and the Plaza. My office is at the Plaza and I'm there most of the time. "

How goes the business battle?

"Business is good at both places," he replied with a smile. "The new hotel addition at the Plaza has been great for business and the bowling center at the Plaza is doing just fine. The future looks bright and we will continue to grow as Carson City grows. We see a bright future for Carson City and for both properties."

REMEMBER GREED?

Some of you may remember Bill's brother Mike was a front-page story in the Nevada Appeal earlier this year when he won some money on the TV show "Greed" and Bill will tell us all about it.

"Mike got on the show not once, but twice," informed Bill. "The first time he won $10,000. He was the team captain but they missed the $250,000 question and he walked with the $10,000. Later he was called back for a special show and the same thing happened. He won $10,000 and missed the $250,000 question and was gone."

BACK TO BILL'S BACK

Let's get back to Bill's back and how it changed his life.

"After a lot of experimenting, the doctors finally put together the right medication - three of them - to control the disease," said Bill. "I take the medication twice a day and will for the rest of my life. There is no cure for the disease but it's not terminal. I'm learning to live with it and I still get pain in my back but I can live with it.

"I consider myself today a lucky man. I made some good friends and met some nice people because of what happened and it also changed my outlook on life. I savor every day a lot more than I did before this happened."

He did ask the "why me?" question but knew what happened to him wasn't his call to make and his faith in God got him through it.

"I have a lot of faith in God and I believe that's what pulled me through," he said. "That and my wonderful wife. She wouldn't let me quit on life even when I thought about it. Without her I wouldn't be here today."

Bill says he lived through a tough year .... "A year of Hell I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy," he added. "And while I'm not cured and it can reoccur, at least they know what it is and can deal with any future problems. Let's hope that never happens but I'll deal with it if I have to."

A LIGHTER NOTE

Before we parted company, I wanted you to know I've known Bill for more than 15 years and at one time he and I worked together at the OH. He is a big boxing fan from way back and I've "talked boxing" with him over the years more than just about anyone else in town. This time was no different and I asked him about the state of boxing today.

"It's terrible," he answered. "The worst I've ever seen it. The worst people run boxing today and are, shall we say, less than trustworthy. And the fighters aren't as good today as when I became a fan. There are only a handful of good fighters today. I'm not as big a fan as I once was but I'm still a fan."

- We'll end by telling you Bill is also a member of the losing Station/Plaza team in our annual Pro Picks Challenge that runs in the Appeal Sports section every Thursday.

"It's a shame I have to be on the same team with Chalk Loflin as he is the one who keeps us from winning every year," said a laughing Bill. "But we can't get rid of him. He just can't pick winners."

We on the Nevada Appeal team are very thankful for that, I might add.

(ALAN ROGERS is a Nevada Appeal columnist. His message phone is 887-2430, ext. 402.)