n1w2h3
New member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2012
- Messages
- 2
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 07/2012
- Country
- US
- State
- South Carolina
- City
- Columbia
After 5 months of seeing a number of doctors and several tests -MRI and CT-scan, I learned I have ALS. I was told that it usually leads to death in 2 to 5 years unless it stops progression, or reverses itself -which is rare. The first symptom of it was in early February when I noticed a slight change in my voice. Now nearly 6 months later, my voice is about useless, I have trouble eating and drinking, my saliva is like thick syrup, I get fatigued very easy, and as the day goes on my neck muscles get so weak that my head feels like it weighs 100 pounds and I can't hold it up and that restricts my breathing.
I realize there are ALS victims that are in far worse condition than I am, and if it progresses in me as they say it usually does, I can expect to eventually be completely paralyzed and on a respirator until I die. I am 78 and live alone and just about all of my family and friends have passed away. I really have nothing to live for other than taking care of my home and yard, and doing a little traveling -which is becoming very difficult to do. If the ALS progresses no further in me than it is today, I do not want to spend the rest of my life in this condition.
We are all going to die sooner or later, so I do not fear death. I just fear suffering until I get there. Sure, if necessary I can live in a nursing home or hospice where they will keep me full of drugs, wipe me, bath me, feed me, and keep me "comfortable" until I die. But, that is not living! All that is, is keeping the sick care industry in business. That is why I believe Physician Assisted Suicide is a blessing and I would like to see it available in all states to anyone with a terminal illness that requests it. Currently, only Montana, Oregon, and Washington offer the service.
It puzzles me why we have more compassion for our pets then we do for our loved ones. If we love our pets we do not let them suffer until they die. Yet, we think nothing of forcing our terminally ill loved ones to suffer until they die. That is pure insanity! Let those who believe in suffering to death indulge themselfs. My body belongs to me and I do not want it to suffer to death.
I realize there are ALS victims that are in far worse condition than I am, and if it progresses in me as they say it usually does, I can expect to eventually be completely paralyzed and on a respirator until I die. I am 78 and live alone and just about all of my family and friends have passed away. I really have nothing to live for other than taking care of my home and yard, and doing a little traveling -which is becoming very difficult to do. If the ALS progresses no further in me than it is today, I do not want to spend the rest of my life in this condition.
We are all going to die sooner or later, so I do not fear death. I just fear suffering until I get there. Sure, if necessary I can live in a nursing home or hospice where they will keep me full of drugs, wipe me, bath me, feed me, and keep me "comfortable" until I die. But, that is not living! All that is, is keeping the sick care industry in business. That is why I believe Physician Assisted Suicide is a blessing and I would like to see it available in all states to anyone with a terminal illness that requests it. Currently, only Montana, Oregon, and Washington offer the service.
It puzzles me why we have more compassion for our pets then we do for our loved ones. If we love our pets we do not let them suffer until they die. Yet, we think nothing of forcing our terminally ill loved ones to suffer until they die. That is pure insanity! Let those who believe in suffering to death indulge themselfs. My body belongs to me and I do not want it to suffer to death.