Julie B
Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2011
- Messages
- 11
- Diagnosis
- 01/2011
- Country
- US
- State
- FL
- City
- Sebring
I'm new to the forum, trying to prepare myself, as we are expecting a diagnosis today, for my mom. She'll be 75 in April.
She started showing bulbar symptoms about seven months ago, with the thickening of her speech. The first neurologist told her it was just stress and she should stop worrying. The second was sure it was a stroke. By October, she was having trouble swallowing and was losing weight, and her speech is deteriorating quickly. She finally met with a specialist at Loyola University Hospital, near Chicago, who assured her it was not a stroke and ordered a series of tests. She meets with him again this morning for the results.
Right now, the worst part is that she has no idea this is something serious. She thinks this doctor is going to tell her he knows how to fix what's wrong. And I know different.
I've been researching since she started having trouble speaking and complaining of a dry mouth, and even sent the ALS site to my father, so he would know it could be something serious. He ignored it. But when the doctor said it wasn't a stroke, I sent him the site again.
While she was having the tests one of the doctors said something about ALS. I don't know if it was directly to my father or something he overheard, but he's expecting the same diagnosis now and dreading the appointment with the doctor.
I live so far away from them and feel so helpless to offer comfort.
Reading through your posts has been both informative and frightening.
She started showing bulbar symptoms about seven months ago, with the thickening of her speech. The first neurologist told her it was just stress and she should stop worrying. The second was sure it was a stroke. By October, she was having trouble swallowing and was losing weight, and her speech is deteriorating quickly. She finally met with a specialist at Loyola University Hospital, near Chicago, who assured her it was not a stroke and ordered a series of tests. She meets with him again this morning for the results.
Right now, the worst part is that she has no idea this is something serious. She thinks this doctor is going to tell her he knows how to fix what's wrong. And I know different.
I've been researching since she started having trouble speaking and complaining of a dry mouth, and even sent the ALS site to my father, so he would know it could be something serious. He ignored it. But when the doctor said it wasn't a stroke, I sent him the site again.
While she was having the tests one of the doctors said something about ALS. I don't know if it was directly to my father or something he overheard, but he's expecting the same diagnosis now and dreading the appointment with the doctor.
I live so far away from them and feel so helpless to offer comfort.
Reading through your posts has been both informative and frightening.
