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Affordable Lift system.

Posted 01-29-2010 at 05:55 PM by joelc

I post this as a consideration for those that can't afford to purchase a lift and for those that don't have access to an ALS Society loan closet.

We were fortunate to have one donated to us. If that did not happen we were looking at over $10,000.00. Totally ridiculous. I did a lot of thinking about how to build an affordable one before we were blessed by this donation.

Anyway, what I would have done is this:
Use 3 inch "I" beam, we can purchase a...
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Prepare early and completely

Posted 12-01-2009 at 04:12 PM by joelc

I was laying in bed last night thinking about this and had the wording all figured out. Now I can't remember how I was going to approach it! It is great to be getting older and not able to remember. LOL.

This is going to be a 2 point post.

The first point is that everyone should get things in place before needed and practice using them. Items like walkers or wheelchairs are easy to get when you need them, but even these should be in place before they are necessary....
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PEG Story

Posted 11-27-2009 at 02:16 PM by joelc

The first tube everyone gets has a bell on the inside, to hold it in your stomach. It also has quite a long tube which has to be dealt with, usually by taping it to your stomach.

Once the stoma has healed sufficiently, usually 6 weeks, there are choices for replacement, although this tube can last up to 2 years. A doctor has to remove this initial tube and install the replacement. After that you can change it yourself at home.

We tried a Mic-Key without success. It...
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Pressure Sores

Posted 08-30-2009 at 12:48 PM by joelc

Sugar treats bedsores better than any antibiotic.

I did some surfing, and here's what I found.

Time Magazine/CNN

Decubitus ulcers, or bedsores, have for centuries plagued patients and stubbornly resisted the efforts of doctors to cure them. But it appears that the sores, which result from the continuous pressure of the body against the bed, are succumbing to new versions of an almost forgotten medical approach:

sweetness. Dr. James Barnes...
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Itchy skin - severe itching

Posted 06-19-2009 at 02:34 PM by joelc

Regarding severe itching;

I have been in contact with quite a few PALS that have experienced itching that is enough to drive you insane!

It seems to be an ALS symptom where the nerve endings become super sensitive. Since ALS is a neurological disease this makes sense to me and I have been bothered by this for about the last 9 months. I initially was able to deal with it by using Aveeno shower/bath Wash and Tide Free for my clothes. Also Gold Bond. But the last 2 weeks...
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