BarryG
Extremely helpful member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2008
- Messages
- 3,000
- Diagnosis
- 02/2008
- Country
- CA
- State
- Alberta
- City
- Hinton
Bulbar ALS progression
Hello All;
My name is Barry Godsalve and I live in Hinton, Alberta, Canada. I am 53 years old and was diagnosed with Bulbar onset ALS in January of 2008. My wife first noticed that my speech was occasionally slurred in June of 2007 so I went to see a neurologist in August. After a bunch of EMGs, MRIs, and arm/foot wrestling with a number of different neurologists they finally were able to give me a definite diagnosis. My speech and swallowing are getting progressively worse so that I have to use a Palmtop 3 Dynavox with people that are not familiar with me (and sometimes with my family as well).
Jennifer and Beth, I too dream of being able to talk again and am sometimes jealous of everyone who can talk normally. The worst part is not being able to have a conversation with others over a meal and not being able to crack jokes like I used to do.
I've just started to notice a weakness in my right hand, especially when it's cold (BTW is was -38 degrees Celsius, which is the same in Fahrenheit, here yesterday morning). It's getting hard to hold a pen and write legibly so thank goodness for keyboards.
I have been a member of this forum for a few months but haven't posted before so I thought I would share my experience so far and I appreciate hearing about others who are in the same boat. Anyway, I try to think positive thoughts.
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hello All;
My name is Barry Godsalve and I live in Hinton, Alberta, Canada. I am 53 years old and was diagnosed with Bulbar onset ALS in January of 2008. My wife first noticed that my speech was occasionally slurred in June of 2007 so I went to see a neurologist in August. After a bunch of EMGs, MRIs, and arm/foot wrestling with a number of different neurologists they finally were able to give me a definite diagnosis. My speech and swallowing are getting progressively worse so that I have to use a Palmtop 3 Dynavox with people that are not familiar with me (and sometimes with my family as well).
Jennifer and Beth, I too dream of being able to talk again and am sometimes jealous of everyone who can talk normally. The worst part is not being able to have a conversation with others over a meal and not being able to crack jokes like I used to do.
I've just started to notice a weakness in my right hand, especially when it's cold (BTW is was -38 degrees Celsius, which is the same in Fahrenheit, here yesterday morning). It's getting hard to hold a pen and write legibly so thank goodness for keyboards.
I have been a member of this forum for a few months but haven't posted before so I thought I would share my experience so far and I appreciate hearing about others who are in the same boat. Anyway, I try to think positive thoughts.
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!