Jeannie
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2007
- Messages
- 222
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Diagnosis
- 01/2008
- Country
- US
- State
- NJ
- City
- Vernon
Hello Everyone
My mother in law was diagnosed with ALS 3 weeks ago after close to a year of endless dr. visits and her symptoms only getting worse. At first they thought she had a stroke, then myastymia gravis and so on. Finally the horrible diagnosis of ALS. She has completly lost her ability to speak and has horrible coughing "attacks". She is understandably depressed, and is on the ridlick (spelling?) meds. She is taking something for the drooling that for a while was uncontrollable.
We are spending as much time with her as we can but here arises our newest issue. My husband and I have 2 young daughters (5 & 3) Our 5yr ikd understands that Grandma is sick but that she can still do things with us. We had her over the other day and did baking together (which was such a wonderufl day) My 5yr old didn't leave her side, even though Grandma couldn't talk. Then, we went over to Grandmas today and she had a pretty bad coughing attack. My 5 yr old said that she didn't feel well and when we left she wouldn't hug or kiss her Grandmother. I was heart broken for them both but didn't want to force the issue.
We don't "overtalk" Grandma's illness as we don't want her to be frieghtened, but she does know that something is wrong.
I am so sorry this is so choppy and long winded, I was just wondering if anyone knows if there is info out there to help young children to understand this in a simple way.
I just don't know what to do, this is so devestating to all of us and I don't want to scare her but her Grandma needs the girls, they give her something to smile at, that is where we are, everyone is in shock and depressed.
Anyone that could help with experience I would appreciate it greatly.
God Bless each and every one of you
Jeannie
My mother in law was diagnosed with ALS 3 weeks ago after close to a year of endless dr. visits and her symptoms only getting worse. At first they thought she had a stroke, then myastymia gravis and so on. Finally the horrible diagnosis of ALS. She has completly lost her ability to speak and has horrible coughing "attacks". She is understandably depressed, and is on the ridlick (spelling?) meds. She is taking something for the drooling that for a while was uncontrollable.
We are spending as much time with her as we can but here arises our newest issue. My husband and I have 2 young daughters (5 & 3) Our 5yr ikd understands that Grandma is sick but that she can still do things with us. We had her over the other day and did baking together (which was such a wonderufl day) My 5yr old didn't leave her side, even though Grandma couldn't talk. Then, we went over to Grandmas today and she had a pretty bad coughing attack. My 5 yr old said that she didn't feel well and when we left she wouldn't hug or kiss her Grandmother. I was heart broken for them both but didn't want to force the issue.
We don't "overtalk" Grandma's illness as we don't want her to be frieghtened, but she does know that something is wrong.
I am so sorry this is so choppy and long winded, I was just wondering if anyone knows if there is info out there to help young children to understand this in a simple way.
I just don't know what to do, this is so devestating to all of us and I don't want to scare her but her Grandma needs the girls, they give her something to smile at, that is where we are, everyone is in shock and depressed.
Anyone that could help with experience I would appreciate it greatly.
God Bless each and every one of you
Jeannie