New? Introduce Yourself - Say Hello

[David]

Thank you for taking the time to visit us at ALSforums.com.

Please take a moment to sign up an account and post a message here saying hello.

We hope all of our members find the answers they need; if you can't find what you're looking for, don't be shy, post your question and someone should be able to help you :)

[wewillbeatthis]

David,

Thank you so much for to you and all others that have made it possible to set up this site and transfer our old data.

This is more then a site to me this is my second family. Since dad has been diagnosed with this disease this is where I come on bad days to talk, good days to help others, and everyday to read....

Thank you Thank you Thank you...

Please advise what I can do to help this site in any way... Monitor, Research on certain things that are going on... Anything I will do it just let me know.... Perhaps we can add a thread that is titled unitque and everyday items to help those with PLS or ALS with Day to Day living... I can add to this and research... Whatever you let me know...

Jen

[margeo55]

hello glad to find the new site, really easy to follow along , hi everyone
marianne

[ruby ben]

Hi - I am very new and I have not figured out everything about this site yet.
I hope that there are some of you out there that have PLS..........ruby from Vancouver

[dana]

Glad to see we are all still together. I am going to play around with this site and see if I can figure it all out. I hate change, but as long as we are chaning as a group, I am all for it. Hope everyone is doing well.
Dana

[dana]

I noticed that it said I am a senior member. WOW!! I don't feel like a senior...I'm only 27 years old! ha ha ha
Dana

[A Daughters Love]

I am so happy we are all here. I could burst!!! One less thing to worry about. Thank you again David & of course Al. I don't think I could make it through without all the wonderful people. You are like Family!!!!

Yaaaaaaaa a new site!!!!

[Al]

I hate change too but I think we are in a better place as we say.

[upila]

Hello everyone!
Glad to be back together!
Al, thanks for "Al" you do!

[Granny]

Hi All,
I am so thankful we were able to come here so quickly. Thanks to David, Al and others who have helped. It is wonderful.

Dana, when I saw I was a "senior member", I thought I would be the only one, as I had given my birth date at registration. I am happy to learn that "senior member" has nothing to do with age.

Happy to be here.

[terri]

Hello Everyone,

LB and I are here too. Al and everyone else involved in helping us stay together, thanks.

Terri

[Lark]

Hello everyone,
This is all very new to me so please bear with me.
Thank you.
Lark

[David]

Hi Lark, I hope you are able to find answers to any questions you may have and THANKS for joining us!

Funny mpeg JimO, what are you "sinking" about. haha

[Leroy Houston]

I am a new member. Glad to find forum site. Going to take some time and get aquainted . LEROY:)

[David]

Hi Leroy, make yourself at home :)

[Al]

Hi Leroy. Jump in whenever you feel comfortable.
Al.

[John1]

Hi Folks,

Thanks to David and Al and any other behind-the-scenes people who have set up what appears to be a very good site. Well done.

[Elle PB]

Hello all, just found this forum today and it has a nice feel to it. I'm not Canadian, not even American but I hope you will let me stay:) I live in Australia, not too many ALS sufferers down this way (not too many people) and no forums that I have found.
I have just begun this journey we are all taking, first symptoms in October 2005, and already struggling to keep mobile. I look forward to getting to know you all better over time.

[Al]

Hi Elle Welcome. We do have a few people registered from Australia. You should feel at home here . They don't post a lot but they are still here.

[jacquelyn]

I too am a new member.......not too sure what I am doing yet but I am practicing.

I am stumped on how you start a "new thread".......any help would be appreciated.

[Al]

Hello Jacquelyn. Just go back one page and at the top is a green heading. Click on it and type in the new subject and post or submit and you're done. Hope this helps and welcome.
Al.

[jacquelyn]

Thank you very much Al. Seems like a great group.

[Spelp1]

I am a new member. Hello all. Al, thanks for site. Thank you again David & of course Al. I hope that new research can help find a cure so that no other familys have to deal with this. Please advise what I can do to help this site in any way... I too go to church, so i will pray for God to change your heart to except some outside help. Spelp1.

[spud01]

Hello, I am new to this site. I am trying to learn my way around. I have been so fortunate to have spoken to Al a couple of times. He makes you feel very welcome. Thank you Al, I am looking forward to meeting others.

Spud01

[spud01]

Any information on how to post a new post on this site is appreciated. I am new and totally lost on the information on how to get around on the site.

Spud 01:confused:

[CIARA1]

wow look at all the new people maybe als is not as uncommon as every body likes you to think it is.





kim:-?

[Al]

Hey guys if you go back to the heading page before this one there ars sticky's which are notes from the administrator on how to post and rules etc.

[blueallieboo]

Hi.
It's nice to find a group that I can relate to. It's nice to find some people to make the journey with.

I'm going to take some time to get used to this site.

[ChrissyWho]

Hello Everyone, I'm very new to all of this and hope to learn as much as possible from all of you. I'm so happy to have found this forum.

Chris

[Barbie4]

Hello Chris:

Glad you found this forum. I have just joined this month as well and am finding this forum very friendly and helpful. I am not dx with ALS, but my best friend is just in the midst of a diagnosis.
It is nice to meet you.

Barb :)

[ChrissyWho]

Hi Barb,
My fiancee was just diagnosed two weeks ago. Any advice that you can give me would be appreciated.
Thanks, Chris

[Barbie4]

Hi Chris:

I am not sure how much advice I can give you as I am only 4 weeks into this myself. I have found alot of comfort, support and good info on this forum. You are in good hands here. Try and stay strong, but let it out when you have to.

Some of the advice I have received from being on the site so far is to check out the book "In his own words" by Morrie Schwartz. A lady named Marcia found it inspiring. So I ordered it. I also ordered a movie from the NFB website called "Bearing Witness. Richard Colley story" ( That isn't the exact title, but it is close. Al suggested it) so I ordered that one. I also emailed the ALS society of Ontario (not sure where you are from) and ordered an ALS Manual. I haven't started any of it yet, As I just received it yesterday.

Richard wrote a great post under the "new member with new perspective" Thread.You have to go down a few to find it. It was inspiring to read for me. I actually read part of it to my friend to help her one day. I printed it off so that I could re read it when I needed a bit of inspiration.

Some days are so unbearable to even think, some days are better. I am trying to find my strength in learning what I can do to help her and her husband and children. I am grieving too and very frightened of all this.

I am so sorry that you have had to be here, but hope that you will read the posts and find the support that I have.

Thinking of you

Barb :)

[Al]

Hi Chris. Sorry about your fiance's diagnosis. Probably the biggest bit of advice any one here gives is try to stay positive. Take one day at a time. If you go to www.als.ca you can download their Manual for Living with ALS (http://www.als.ca/als_manuals.aspx). AS Barb said it is full of useful information about living and coping with ALS. It will answer a lot of your questions and the ones it doesn't answer we are here to help with those. Good Luck and welcome to our group.

[Granny]

Dear Chris,
Welcome to the forum. Sorry you have to be here, but it is a good place to come when you need comfort, information or a place to vent. There are lots of people here with good information, and lots of people to listen if you need to talk.
It takes awhile for you to get your head around this thing, then things seem to get a little easier to cope with.
Post whenever you need to.
Hugs and prayers, Leah

[ChrissyWho]

Hi Al, thank you for the advice I'll download that right now. My biggest worry is that it took so long for George to be diagnosed. He is diabetic so they kept saying that the drop foot was due to nueropathy which was caused by diabetes. I just knew that everything was going downhill too fast for it to be just the diabetes. Anyway, thankyou again for the link.
Chris

[ChrissyWho]

Good morning Leah and thankyou for the kind welcome. I'm sure that I'll be here quite often trying to get as much info as possible. You all seem like wonderful people.
Chris

[Melissa in Texas]

Hello David,

My name is Melissa and I'm having a little trouble understanding how this works. I think I posted a new entry but I don't see it anywhere.

I hope I'm smart enough learn this. I think it would be beneficial since my mom was recently diagnosed.

Thanks.

[Al]

Hi Melissa. I found your other post so you must have figured it out. At the start of this thread there are sticky's at the top of the page that give tips on how it works. Take a look if you haven't already found them.

[Bob Simpson]

Dear all,

I just found out that my very best friend was diagnosed with ALS last week. We work together and have been close friends for years. I am devastated by this news and am spending much of my time to research what can be done.

Your forum seems to be fantastic. What a bunch of supportive people. I was lucky to have found you all.

Thank you,

Bob Simpson

[Al]

Welcome Bob. We do what we can.

[Barbie4]

Hi Bob:

Welcome. My best friend was diagnosed recently too, so I understand for sure. I really like this forum. It is a bit of venting, learning and a bit of therapy too, I think.

Hope you are coping well. It is really hard to deal with.

Barb

[bella]

Hello,
This is a great forum. I have been checking the messages for the past 3 months whilst trying to figure out what was wrong with me but finally joined today.

[Barbie4]

Hi Bella;

I wanted to say "Chow Bella" like they do in Italy. just wanted to say hello!

Barb :)

[Granny]

Hi Bella,
Welcome to the forum. Did you find out yet what is wrong with you yet? Hopefully, you do not have ALS but if you do, you will find lots of support here.
Hugs and prayers, Leah

[bella]

Thank you for welcoming me. Granny the diagnosis is still pending, I have had symptoms for 4 months now, everything has been excluded through MRI and blood work, my symptoms are getting worse and multiplying-mainly bulbar-swallowing + chewing, but the last EMG was negative so no diagnosis as yet.
Bella

[Jennifer]

Hello All:

I am new to this forum....I read some of the postings yesterday to get a feel for the replies and knowledge of the members and was very impressed.

I was told that they "think" I have ALS. As "we" that are going through this have been told there is no real test to say for sure if we have this or not, so I was told to go home and wait for more symptoms. I have had the MRI (normal), EMG (no muscle damage) and a Single Fibre EMG, this is when they said we "think" you have ALS. This was in March 2005....first noticed trouble speaking in February of 2004. I am now to the point that I can no longer speak at all, very frustrating for those of you that are going through the same thing. Nothing else is affected I am still walking, driving and not tripping or falling. My only thing is the speech, eating and swallowing. I have excess saliva which at times is very hard to deal with, especially when you swallow and it does not go anywhere.......

Well, sorry to just blurt all this out....I guess I just needed to get some of this off my chest. Any replies are more than welcome or suggestions on how to deal with or cope with this very frustrating dilema.

Thank you to those that bothered to read my gibberish.

:) Jennifer

[Granny]

Hi Jennifer,
What you wrote is not gibberish! Thank you for coming to this forum.
It must be hard to know that maybe or maybe not you have ALS. It is so hard when they have to rule everything else out first.
I can relate to the speaking, swallowing and saliva problems.
Try to stay positive, keep active and give lots of hugs!
Come back anytime you feel like talking.
Hugs and prayers, Leah

[Jennifer]

Hello Leah:

Thank you for your response, it is nice to know and not nice to know that someone else is going through all this. I say nice to know because you don't feel so all alone but not nice to know because we shouldn't have to go through this.

How long have you been going through this and how do you communicate with your family. I get so frustrated trying to answer a simple question like what is for dinner and my poor husband tries to understand and then when he doesn't get it I get even more frustrated.

I try and stay positive and believe me for the most part I think I have done pretty good but I have my days.....last night was one of them, after going through the site and reading the posts I just couldn't hold back and broke down last night and had a bit of a cry.

I once asked someone what they thought I was to learn from this and they told me maybe I wasn't to learn but to teach, wow I had never thought of that but it helps me sometimes get through the frustrating periods.

Well, again I have gone on and one but I do appreciated your response.

Take care,


Jennifer:)

[Al]

hi Jennifer. Sorry about your almost a diagnosis. Sometimes being told it may be ALS is worse than being told outright that you have it. At least with a confirmed diagnosis you can make definite plans. With a maybe you might hold back on doing something like a big trip or something because you hope that it isn't so bad. Has your doctor suggested Amitriptyline for saliva. I use it and it works pretty good although I just use it at night. Also on another topic here I mentioned the Symposium in Toronto June 2. They will have people there with different types of communication devices which by the sound of it is what you need help with.If you go to the alsont.ca website you can get more information. Don't worry about anything said here. If you need to vent or whatever this is the place to do it. We are all going through the same thing. You are not alone now. Take care. Al.

[Jennifer]

Hello Al:

Thank you for your reply....I feel much better knowing that this is a safe place to vent if need be and I am sure we have all been there.

A bit off topic here for one minute. Is it possible that at one time you had a cottage in the Wasaga Beach area. I used to know a family up there that lived in Orangeville but I never knew the Dad's name.

Sorry if this is getting too personal, just thought I would check it out....would be strange if this is the same family.

Well, again thank you for chatting with me and letting me know that we are free to share our inner thoughts and feelings.

Take care,


Jennifer

[Al]

No unfortunately we were never rich enough to have a cottage in Wasaga. We used to get there with friends though. Actually we just moved to Orangeville last Oct. We were in Brampton before that since 1972. Grew up in Lakeview area of Mississauga. Hey maybe all that pollution from the Hydro Generating Station there got me into this mess. I've never thought of that connection before. Something else to ponder. We try to not take ourselves too seriously here. So vent, laff, cry, whatever gets you through the day. Take care. Al.

[Granny]

Hi Jennifer,
Yea, I know the frustration when someone does not get what you are trying to say!!
For me, the thing that works best around the house is a little whiteboard with erasable markers. I find it the quickest method. You can get these at the dollar store, or Walmart. my hands are still ok to write.
I also have an agumented communication device that is a small computer like device that I can type into and a computer voice says whatever I wrote. It works well also, but the kind I have is an older version, I think some of the new ones might be even better than what I have.
As for the frustration, humor helps us through!
Hugs and prayers, Leah

[Jennifer]

Hello Leah and All:

Thank you so much for your kindness, I truly feel that I have been welcomed onto this forum.

I am not sure if this is a symptom or not so I thought I would just throw this out there. I am having great pain in my right shoulder. One night I reached into the back seat of our van and since then I have had a problem moving my arm, like to pull up my jacket, lift my arm up too high or just reaching behind at all. I know that you are not to be in any pain with ALS, well except for the cramping of feet ect.

Well, let me know what you think. As I say I thought I would just throw this out there...all comments welcome.

Thanks all,


Jennifer

[JMH]

Very new to the site....my father is newly diagnosed....familial als....how do the doctors determine the type just through an office visit? It was a neurologist - I'm just wondering if there is a specific protocall for the actual diagnosis.

[Al]

Try this website as it explains some of the criteria for a diagnosis.
http://www.wfnals.org/guidelines/1998elescorial/elescorial1998criteria.htm

[SawMan]

I recently learned of this site and want to know if anyone has experienced fasciculations without other symptoms of ALS. I have visited 2 Neurologists to date, have had EMGs on both sides, plus MRIs of the spine and still don't have an explanation for the fasciculations. It has been 10 months since these symptoms began, but there is still no noticeable loss of strength, diminished breathing capacity, or speech problems - just fasciculations in both legs, both arms, stomach and kidney areas, neck and shoulders. These "twitches" are very intense at times. Anyone experienced anything similar??

[kathmc]

Hi there,

Welcome to worst club with the best members. i am new member too, only speaking for myself on best/worst thing. It's not really a club. think you'll be glad you found this site. good info and humor. Found answers here that Dr. failed to give. There also is a wealth of info. in past threads.

I have no experience w/ your symptoms, mine started w/ numish l. leg and falling. Hear from my Dr. office that symptoms can be very different for each patient. good luck. Hope you find what you are seeking.

Kathy

[slm455]

I have been reading this site for sometime. I am still in the process of being diagnosed. I have my first emg july 27. nervous about it . I have bulbar als symtoms. Your threads have helped me alot thanks.

[Al]

Hi SawMan. My symptoms started with fasciculations and I had them for more than a year and a half before anything else really started to show up. Then I noticed the weakness starting and the watch strap too big from the atrophy. Fasciculations can be caused by a few other disorders so I wouldn't rush out to get a cemetery plot with a view yet. Hang in there. This ALS is sometimes a waiting game. Sort of like soccer.

[MissiBell8]

My father recently passed away with ALS on 6-7-06. He was diagnosed on 4-8-06. He passed very fast. My Uncle, his brother, passed away from ALS 18 months ago. My Grandmother passed from ALS 3 years ago. Her father, my great grandfather, passed away years ago from it, but back then he was diagnosed with muscle deterioration. Her brother, Uncle Bill, passed away years ago from ALS, and now his children Bill Jr. and recently his daughter Patty, 42 passed from ALS 3 months ago.

Needless to say, we have Familial ALS in our family. Now that my father passed, first of all I'm grieving to the point of feeling like walking dead. Next is my own sanity of questioning whether I will get it and will my 3 children get the gene. Then I wonder whether or not I should be tested and IF I do get tested and it's positive, how will that affect me.

Sorry if I am rambling. I am 37 years old, divorced mother of 3 children and I do worry that I will get this.

I am mourning my father, who passed quicker than lightening, and wondering WHY this is happening to us?

Please help me. I feel like I'm losing my sanity. I need support from people who understand and are experiencing similar problems.

This disease sucks and it's recently destroyed my life by taking my father. He raised me. He was the first man I loved and seeing him suffer so badly makes me angry at God. I promised my father I would not be Angry at God, but I guess I broke my promise because "angry" is NOT the feeling that I am experiencing.

I can't take this any longer. Today is 7 weeks since he passed. :-( I'm so depressed. My doctor has put me on anti depressants and heart medication/beta blockers due to my anxiety over this stuff.

HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

[Al]

Hi Missi. It might be a bit late but is there a support group near you. You don't have to have ALS yourself to go for support. Check with the ALSA chapter nearest you. Your family really has had bad luck with this disease and I wish I could give you a magic answer to help make it better. We don't have all the answers here but we try to help each other just by talking and listening. Hopefully someone can jump in and offer some advice. Hang in there. We're here for you. AL.

[Lisa Lane]

I was dignosed offically in the Spring, Still making adjustments and trying to decide on walking devices. I had a cane, not enough. Now I have a walker, still falling! I can't walk to far because my foot turns in so bad. I had a brace, but it doesn't really fit anymore because my leg turn. Is it time for a wheelchair? or should I keep on walking? I am 47 and trying to turn over my buisness to a new perosn and make living adjustments. I think when I can get these things under control, then my quaility of life will improve. Right now I cry alot for no apparent reason. This is a tough disease.

[MtPockets]

Having bad days? What's that? Facts verses what my friends see:

Just a THOUGHT When friends or family ask how you doing?

Oh just great, Sure I'm dying but everything is fine, wonderful, and how about you. Ever feel like asking someone that? Don't answer.

I know how you feel. We all go through this. Some get mad at the world, God, friends, family , everybody and just make themselves a pain in the butt basically. You get to chose how YOU will react.

I usually try to put on my "I'm ok your ok face" when around others. I try as much as possible considering all that may be happening to have a positive approach and outlook to live every day to it's fullest. And it's amazing how many people believe I'm doing great, when inside I'm ???? who knows. It changes all the time. Some days I do not know from one minute to the next how I'm dealing with this, it's overwhelming. Then other days I'm managing it very well.

I do that mostly to help my loved ones, to be a source of hope for others, yet like tonight I can't sleep because of pain, spasms, and having a pity party, but no one came to the party.

Well maybe God came. I think he understands when I get in these moods, swings, bad times, and just have to let it out and vent. I laid in bed crying for awhile, but could not sleep so got online instead.

But somewhere deep in my heart I know God loves me and you, and this will work out, I will make it through with God's help and strength. After it is all over I will be with him forever, no pain, no fears, no mood swings, no spasms, no pills, finally complete PEACE, believe me it will be worth it all, to finally see my lost loved ones and walk in the presence of Jesus Christ.

That is my rock that I hold onto, to get thru the lows, and to make me truly believe I WILL BE ALRIGHT THIS DAY. Not tomorrow, next week, next month, just this one day.

I can only live ONE DAY at a time and make the absolute most of that day to help myself and others. There is no second trip around. This is it folks.

Do you have anything to use as your rock? Your strength? To get you through this.

Have you given thought to how God fits into your life? Now might be a very good time. You have some time left to consider it, before it's too late. Please, I'm serious, God really does love you and He said if anyone comes to me I will in no way cast them out. I respect your choice, but remember you will live with it forever.

I feel your pain, may God Bless and keep you and I pray you stay on the high mountain top instead of the valley.
AL


To give you an idea of what happened with me:

I started with fasciculations, atrophy (wasting) and weakness. over 2 years ago and just chocked it up to no exercise and old age, (59). It progressed to full muscle spasms that I call "Charley Horses", at least in the south we call them that. I began to lose muscle tissue due to constant muscle spasms, my CPK count would go very high (6000) and I would stop urinating. My family doc said the creatine cpk was blocking my kidneys and would put me in hospital and flush out my system with high flows of saline solution from IV bottles, until the cpk came down to acceptable levels, 250-350. The spasms never stopped only got worse over time. Was in and out of hospital about 5 times for this flush routine over 2 year period, when I was referred to a wonderful neurologist.

By this time was spending lot of time in wheelchair due to loss of balance in leg muscles and weakness. My neuro ran the nerve conduction study and then the emg. The technician left the room to go into another part of the hospital to get the doctor to look at my emg. My Neurologist ran the emg all over again, due to terrible results in all muscles from the chest down. She immediately ordered a biopsy of large thigh muscle, and after 4 weeks of extensive testing and sending to another lab for confirmation, she gave my the ALS DX. She was 3rd doc that said I MIGHT have it, but first to run the biopsy.

My Neuro also ordered a swallow test that showed the left half of my esophagus is paralyzed. I have some trouble talking at times but if I take it slow can make it alright for now. My main trouble with swallowing is with pills, they have a tendency to go the wrong way. And just went to see Doc about feeding tube due to swallowing getting worse. I also am on a Bi-Pap due to losing 30% of lung capacity due to diaphragm not working 100%.

I don't know if my history helps you or not, but seems mine started from the bottom and worked it's way up, others start right at the top. There are just so many variations it's hard to get a handle on the DX.

I hope and pray you do not have ALS, and all works out for the best for you, but just in case it is ALS, try to prepare yourself for anything. I know it's hard we have all been there. You are not alone. Feel free to come back here for support or questions anytime.
God Bless
AL

:???:

[Lisa Lane]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to do the best I can everyday! Spiritually, mentally, and physically.:)

[MtPockets]

I hope it helps. All we can do is try to support one another.
God Bless
AL

[southern lady]

Dear Missi, You have my deepest sympathy. I can only imagine the pain & devastion you're feeling. You have lost so much to ALS. But you must not let it rob you of today. You mention 3 children, & they need their mother. When my diagnosis came, I cried & screamed & beat my fists against the wall. I CALLED out to God (it's ok to be angry-He can take it). Just don't get stuck in the anger or it will become bitterness which will ruin your life & the lives of those you love & need so much right now.
When we lost our 19-year-old son, I thought I couldn't go on, but I had 2 other children who needed me. After a while, I drew strength from David's memory. I knew all the tears & grief in the world wouldn't bring him back & wouldn't be what he wanted for me. So it was chin up, chest out, get back in the game!
Some day, when my journey is over, I not only want to hear Jesus say, "Well done, good & faithful servant," I want to feel David's arm around my shoulder saying, "You did good, Mom!"
Live, love & laugh. Return to the things that once brought you joy. Learn to take delight in little blessings. Do not look at all the tomorrows. Each day will hold its own grace. "His mercies are new every morning."
Your Dad is cheering you on. You have unseen friends who care & are reaching out to you. Give yourself permission to be happy in spite of your circumstances. A great big hug from Mollye & my husband, reading over my shoulder, says he knows how you feel.

[LittleHeart]

Hello everyone,
My name is Shelia and my husband was diagnosed with Sporadic ALS in March 2003.
I would like to say thanks to the creators of this page. Also want to comment after reading the threads that everyone here seems so supportive.
I can tell this page will be a blessing to me.Once again thank yall so much.
LittleHeart

[rbtro]

Hi everyone,

I have been browsing this site for a few days now and have been inspired. I want to thank everyone for the kindness and camaraderie expressed. I personally find that I have to live one day one step at a time. I truly believe that I have been chosen to play the cripple in God's plan for this life. I am truly blessed. I have wonderful loving caring family and friends. I have found this website with so many loving and caring people. What more could a man want. I am so sorry to read of the grief suffered by those caretakers that have lost their PALS. But we must remember life is a gift and we have God to thank for whatever he provides. May God Bless and keep all of you.

Your friend in suffering,
Rich

[MtPockets]

I could not have said it better myself. Welcome to one of the worse clubs on earth. But at least we know we are not alone. I agree I think God has chosen a few of us for this as our last mission on earth. May we somehow be a blessing to all we can reach and share his love for them.
God Bless You,
Big Al ( figured I'd change my sig so no one would confuse me with other AL)
:-D

[Al]

I'll let you have that one but some of my friends used to call me Big Al the Fire Guy. You could be MT as well. Call yourself whatever you want. Just hope they don't call you late for dinner. Been up at the beach and then over to the lake for 5 days. Missed this place though.

[MtPockets]

Hope you had a good time on your trip. It's nice to get away for awhile. I have one planned for this week, but may have to cancel since one of my sons went in the hospital last night. they have no idea what is going on with him, heart, arteries, blood clots???
He said he started seeing beautiful colors falling from the sky like leaves and 20 minutes later by the time they had him in emerg room, he did not know who he was or where he was. BP keeps going up, down, won't stabilize. Of course they are running all kinds of tests on him.
He kind of came back to himself after they gave him some medicine and said he remembered the colors, like he was blind, but did not remember trip to hospital or anything else.
We are hoping and praying they find out what is wrong and he gets better. He is a deputy sheriff.
God Bless,
Big AL

[LittleHeart]

God bless you Mt. I hope your son gets better rapidly. I can relate to heart trouble and the lights was probally from lack of oxygen or at least that what it was when it happend to me.
I will be praying for speedy recovery for him.
Best wishes and Prayers
LittleHeart

[MtPockets]

:cry: They are still running test, but believe he may have had an blood clot, tia, or stroke. He talking better and feeling better except tired. Hopefully it was just his blood pressure threw off small tia or something. We should know something this morning.
He was laying in bed with his sons and they looked at him and his hands were up in the air like he was feeling something. One of them asked him what is wrong dad, no answer, hey dad what is wrong, he said can't you see the simpsons (cartoon) are all over the room and look like towels, and then he began to see colors that he described as rose petals falling all over different colors, and then he doesn't remember anything else until he woke up in er. He's about 37 and has had high blood pressure for awhile. When he got to hospital he did not know who he was, where he was, or how he got there. Once they got his bp down somehow began to get more clear headed. He is still in hospital under observation and having all kinds of tests run. If you believe in the power of prayer, please lift him up for us and agree for him to get well.
God knows we have had our share of bad news here lately, but I thank God he is still alive.
God Bless you and thanks
Big AL (Mtpockets):cry:

[Al]

Hey Big Al. Tell him we're all pulling for him in our own little ways. AL.

[MtPockets]

Good news my son went home from the hospital yesterday. They believe he had TIA due to really high Blood Pressure. His low number was like 135. So after all the tests he is on a serious diet and bp meds and doing well for now. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers. This gave me a good scare. I would hate to have to bury one of my sons when I'm dying myself. Got enough stress without that.
God Bless,
Big AL

:)