FrJn
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2015
- Messages
- 71
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 04/2016
- Country
- US
- State
- Somewhere
- City
- Small Town
Good morning, all!
Aside from a quick "Happy Birthday" message to Max a few months ago, the last post I recall is from when I received my "working diagnosis" of PLS in March of 2015. I have had continued follow-up with the Director of our local ALSA Clinic, including a repeat EMG in December of 2015. That repeat EMG disclosed LMN involvement. I attended my first Clinic yesterday and received the formal diagnosis of ALS at that time.
Laurie, I want to personally thank you for all of the valuable information in the Second Opinion and First Clinic Visit sticky you developed. Having read that sticky thoroughly, yesterday's Clinic Visit was far more productive than it might have otherwise been. Several clinicians were surprised at the types of questions I was able to pose to them and at how thoroughly prepared I was as a "newbie". All of that is due to your effort and dedication Laurie and my thanks are very sincere.
Our ALSA Clinic is about 1/2 hour from my home and I'm further blessed to have an ALSA Center of Excellence within about an hour and a half. The Clinic Director is very sure of his diagnosis, but was more than willing to refer me to that Center of Excellence for a Second Opinion. He anticipates an appointment at that Center of Excellence within a month's time. The silver lining within the cloud is that my ALS is apparently UMN dominant and progression is VERY slow to date.
Mike, my thanks to you also for reminding all of us Vets to contact PVA. The Clinic Director actually made that contact for me, and I received an e-mail from PVA just this morning. It seems as though PVA is on top of things and I'm hopeful that they can expedite VA review.
I do visit the site almost daily to read, meditate and pray about the numerous issues raised by members here. While that's my primary Modus Operandi, I'm certainly available to everyone. Please do let me know of anything with which I might be able to help.
Have a great one, folks, and I'll post following my Second Opinion visit, if not before.
John
Aside from a quick "Happy Birthday" message to Max a few months ago, the last post I recall is from when I received my "working diagnosis" of PLS in March of 2015. I have had continued follow-up with the Director of our local ALSA Clinic, including a repeat EMG in December of 2015. That repeat EMG disclosed LMN involvement. I attended my first Clinic yesterday and received the formal diagnosis of ALS at that time.
Laurie, I want to personally thank you for all of the valuable information in the Second Opinion and First Clinic Visit sticky you developed. Having read that sticky thoroughly, yesterday's Clinic Visit was far more productive than it might have otherwise been. Several clinicians were surprised at the types of questions I was able to pose to them and at how thoroughly prepared I was as a "newbie". All of that is due to your effort and dedication Laurie and my thanks are very sincere.
Our ALSA Clinic is about 1/2 hour from my home and I'm further blessed to have an ALSA Center of Excellence within about an hour and a half. The Clinic Director is very sure of his diagnosis, but was more than willing to refer me to that Center of Excellence for a Second Opinion. He anticipates an appointment at that Center of Excellence within a month's time. The silver lining within the cloud is that my ALS is apparently UMN dominant and progression is VERY slow to date.
Mike, my thanks to you also for reminding all of us Vets to contact PVA. The Clinic Director actually made that contact for me, and I received an e-mail from PVA just this morning. It seems as though PVA is on top of things and I'm hopeful that they can expedite VA review.
I do visit the site almost daily to read, meditate and pray about the numerous issues raised by members here. While that's my primary Modus Operandi, I'm certainly available to everyone. Please do let me know of anything with which I might be able to help.
Have a great one, folks, and I'll post following my Second Opinion visit, if not before.
John
I think I'll cross any thoughts of acupuncture off of my "to do" list I find it interesting that I can get into the Center far more quickly that I can our local Clinic. If it weren't for the drive, I think I'd consider transferring my care to the Director of that Center.
