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Update... Dad has ALS

post #1 of 21
1/15/11 at 5:16pm
Thread Starter 
Hi everyone, it's been a while

I am sorry not to have dropped by sooner.

This is what I have been up to.

Well I am going back to School, yep 32 years old and back to get some education. I am studying Medical Administration and should graduate in September.

I adopted Jasper several months ago he is now a 10 month old ball of crazy tabby kitten. I miss having 2 cats but I decided to adopt him as a singular since I am living with my parents while going to school.

The biggest thing going on in my world is that my father has been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gherig's disease). His diagnosis was a long time in coming (about 2 years) Right now we are concentrating in making his last years, months or days as comfortable as possible. It is hard to understand how or why this disease strikes a person and the emotional toll it has taken on all of my family has been vast and all incompassing.

I was wondering in anyone out there in thecatsite land has had experiance with this disease, please contact me if you have I would love to have someone around that understands.

In Canada only about 3000 people in the entire country suffer from ALS so the support system is few and normally they are far appart.

Thanks everyone for listening.
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post #2 of 21
1/15/11 at 5:27pm
I'm sorry about your dad. I don't have any experience with that disease, but I once knew someone who had a relative with it. There was also a soap opera star from several years ago that had it.

I'm very sorry you have to go through this with a close family member.
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post #3 of 21
1/15/11 at 5:39pm
I like your new kitten Jasper's name

I don't know anyone with Lou Gherig's disease, just wanted to say I'm sorry your father has it.
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post #4 of 21
1/15/11 at 6:43pm
I'm very sorry to hear about your father. I do not know anyone personally that has ALS, though someone that lives nearby me has it; I know because we have a friend in common. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Congratulations on going back to school.
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post #5 of 21
1/15/11 at 7:05pm
I'm glad you'll be living with your parents during this time with your dad. I can't imagine how difficult it's going to be though. I'm so sorry, sweetie.

for your Dad, and for your whole family.
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post #6 of 21
1/15/11 at 8:22pm
I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad, you will all be in my prayers
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post #7 of 21
1/15/11 at 8:44pm
Sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis
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post #8 of 21
1/15/11 at 10:43pm
Congratulations on going back to school and getting a new furry family member! I'm really sorry to hear about your Dad's diagnosis. My great-uncle died of ALS when I was a child, and my cousin about ten years ago. Itc
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post #9 of 21
1/16/11 at 6:24am
I just wanted to give you a ... I'm so sorry to hear of your Dad hun, and I can't even begin to imagine how difficult that must be for your family.
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post #10 of 21
1/16/11 at 8:45am
I'm very sorry to hear about your Dad. Unfortunately I know nothing about this disease so can be of no help. Just hope your Dad does well with this.
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post #11 of 21
1/16/11 at 9:41am
I'm so sorry to hear about your father's diagnosis.

My beloved Uncle Jeff lost his battle to ALS almost 4 years ago now. It is a devastating disease. I was very close to my Uncle Jeff and still miss him terribly. His diagnosis, like your father's, was also slow in coming, and then two years later he left us.

He was just getting to the point where "the doctors" were talking about hooking him up to life support ..feeding tubes and elimination catheters. How he would have hated that.

We were praying that he would go before that happened and our prayers were answered. He died in the night of a massive heart attack.

His cat Jill grieved as much as the rest of us. She had appointed herself his personal guardian. No one, when visiting, was allowed to approach Uncle Jeff until Jill checked us out, no matter how often we went to see him.

She also investigated every bit of his apparatus, every time he had to be hooked up to his oxygen machines.

When he got too fragile to support Jill on his lap, she knew it, and stopped getting on him. She was given a stool just the height of his wheel chair so that she could remain near him at all times.
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post #12 of 21
1/16/11 at 9:45am
I'm sorry about your father; that's a diffcult disease, so hard to deal with.

Congratulations on going back to school. I started college when I was 40, so I know what you'll be going through. Lots of fun, but stress, too.

And what a cute name for a new baby!
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post #13 of 21
1/16/11 at 9:54am
I'm sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis. I've not had any personal experience with the disease, but I've known several people who have had loved ones with it and it's never been an easy road, unfortunately.

Praying for you and your family.
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post #14 of 21
1/16/11 at 10:48am
I'm so sorry to hear about the father. My very good friend's aunt had ALS, and it's a devastating disease, as I'm sure you know. Again, I am so sorry.
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post #15 of 21
1/16/11 at 3:27pm
I'm so sorry about your dad's diagnosis, and hope you can find some knowledgeable support - but please know you're in the thoughts and prayers of folks here as well. I'm sure your dad is very proud of you going back to school.
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post #16 of 21
1/16/11 at 4:18pm
I'm so sorry about your dad. My sweet MIL died from ALS, and it is indeed a terrible disease, slowly robbing the life of the one you love and taking it's toll on their family. You have my sincerest sympathies, and please PM me if you want.
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post #17 of 21
1/17/11 at 7:26pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by otto View Post
I'm so sorry to hear about your father's diagnosis.

My beloved Uncle Jeff lost his battle to ALS almost 4 years ago now. It is a devastating disease. I was very close to my Uncle Jeff and still miss him terribly. His diagnosis, like your father's, was also slow in coming, and then two years later he left us.

He was just getting to the point where "the doctors" were talking about hooking him up to life support ..feeding tubes and elimination catheters. How he would have hated that.

We were praying that he would go before that happened and our prayers were answered. He died in the night of a massive heart attack.

His cat Jill grieved as much as the rest of us. She had appointed herself his personal guardian. No one, when visiting, was allowed to approach Uncle Jeff until Jill checked us out, no matter how often we went to see him.

She also investigated every bit of his apparatus, every time he had to be hooked up to his oxygen machines.

When he got too fragile to support Jill on his lap, she knew it, and stopped getting on him. She was given a stool just the height of his wheel chair so that she could remain near him at all times.
Your story about Jill's faith and love for her owner is inspireing. It's hard to think that my father could be gone within a year or two maybe less. But hearing happy things makes me less stressed over it all.
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post #18 of 21
1/17/11 at 7:59pm
No experience with the disease, but I wanted to give to you and major for your family as well as your dad. I can't even imagine what is in store for you but you are all in my nightly prayers.
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post #19 of 21
1/18/11 at 12:17pm
So sorry about your dad. He is in my prayers. Look over this website. It may help with his quality of life. http://www.voiceforjoanie.org/index.htm
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post #20 of 21
1/19/11 at 12:24pm
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I don't have firsthand experience with it.....but my friends mom was diagnosed with it about a year ago. Unfortunately she passed away right after Thanksgiving. In her case there were no initial warnings or symptoms leading up to her diagnosis. One day she woke up and couldn't walk....was falling all over the place. So off to the Dr she went (daughter took her in) and after a bunch of testing they diagnosed her with ALS.

She did enjoy visits from the family- especially her grandkids. Even though she could not communicate....having them there made her so happy!

You and your family will be in my thoughts. I am so sorry
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post #21 of 21
1/19/11 at 12:28pm
I do not have personal experience with ALS, but have read and researched quite a bit about it during the years - enough to know how hard it is. Your family, and especially your dad, are in my prayers.
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