My father, who lives alone, has just been diagnosed with ALS. 18 months ago, my mother died from colon cancer. It was an unbearably stressful time, and within weeks of the funeral he developed walking and hand problems. He also cut his finger off accidentally around this time - and sure enough, his hand was the first to weaken.
He has spent this last 18 months dealing with grief, and now this diagnosis. Is it a possibility that emotional trauma combined with physical trauma triggered ALS?
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So now, he lives alone on an acreage in the West Kootenays in B.C, a relatively remote area famous for it's cutback in medical services. For example, he had to travel all the way to another province (Alberta) to get a proper diagnosis. Hard, when you can barely walk.
It seems so overwhelming. How do we help him get through this? He wants to stay in his area, in his house, as he is most comfortable there. But there are stairs and a long walk (snow in winter) to the carport. How is he to manage day-to-day, alone? Is it realistic to stay at home for the winter (he falls a lot and has very little function left in his arms). I, his daughter, live 11 hours away, and have a baby. I am considering moving there to be his caregiver…I cannot bear the thought of him dealing with this on his own day to day. But I wonder about doing this with a baby. What are the options? I don't think he wants to come to my town, and leave his community behind.
However you look at it, it is heartbreaking. The other option is a full care facility…but where, and when? At what point to you make that decision?
I have so many questions, but i will leave them for further discussions. I just wanted to introduce myself and the situation, as it seems like this forum offers a lot of great support.
Marcia
He has spent this last 18 months dealing with grief, and now this diagnosis. Is it a possibility that emotional trauma combined with physical trauma triggered ALS?
-
So now, he lives alone on an acreage in the West Kootenays in B.C, a relatively remote area famous for it's cutback in medical services. For example, he had to travel all the way to another province (Alberta) to get a proper diagnosis. Hard, when you can barely walk.
It seems so overwhelming. How do we help him get through this? He wants to stay in his area, in his house, as he is most comfortable there. But there are stairs and a long walk (snow in winter) to the carport. How is he to manage day-to-day, alone? Is it realistic to stay at home for the winter (he falls a lot and has very little function left in his arms). I, his daughter, live 11 hours away, and have a baby. I am considering moving there to be his caregiver…I cannot bear the thought of him dealing with this on his own day to day. But I wonder about doing this with a baby. What are the options? I don't think he wants to come to my town, and leave his community behind.
However you look at it, it is heartbreaking. The other option is a full care facility…but where, and when? At what point to you make that decision?
I have so many questions, but i will leave them for further discussions. I just wanted to introduce myself and the situation, as it seems like this forum offers a lot of great support.
Marcia