I, too, am so sorry to meet this way. Here is my mother's timeline.
My mother began showing signs in May 2007. She was diagnosed in Feb 2008. She had 1 emg that showed many areas of motor malfunction without any sensory loss. I will say that she saw a neurologist from July until Nov 2007. He did not diagnose her. He got defensive when questioned about her situation so, I took her to a neurosurgeon that diagnosed her in 2 visits. She was very good to us, even while being very candid about the disease.
Thinking back, I believe she began subtle changes as early as summer of 2006. I can remember her saying she was getting some cramps in her calves when she walked. She also would say that holding my baby daughter smothered her.
The first major sign was a dropfoot. Then, her eating began going downhill. Next, her voice started going. Then her walking problems began to escalate. Next, her left arm withered. Now, she is in the bed except when we get her up to go to the bedside potty.
So, she is fitting into the 1 to 3 years given by the medical establishment. She has handled the situation with grace. Even now, the occassional breakdowns she has are normal. I would cry boat loads if I were in her shoes.
