Recent content by Miss

  1. Miss

    Able and Unable - Do we still go out?

    My husband was paralyzed from the shoulders down (and without speech) for almost 2 years. He met his buddies at the neighborhood watering hole every Friday afternoon/evening. All sporing events were watched at our house while our school age children and their friends were running in and out of...
  2. Miss

    When is it time for hospice

    For reference if you are a Medicare recipient ~ https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/02154-medicare-hospice-benefits.pdf
  3. Miss

    VA Veterans Caregiver Program

    This program came into effect after my Veteran husband's death. Reach out to a service officer (Paralyzed Veterans Administration - PVA, Disabled American Veterans - DAV, American Legion, etc.) and they will help you fill out the paperwork (free of charge). I would highly recommend the PVA. They...
  4. Miss

    When is it time for hospice

    I am the social worker at the ALS Clinic of the MidSouth in Memphis. I am also the widow of an ALS patient. I earned my MSW after my husband's death after a career in Econ/Finance/Accounting. My 1st internship was at a hospice agency (important to me as we did not understand or utilize the...
  5. Miss

    One person Hoyer transfer

    My late husband was 6'1, 270 lbs. I am 5'4, 125 lbs. He lost the ability to speak and move (arms first followed by legs). I was able to transfer him with the electric hoyer by myself using the split leg sling without a problem. The CNA that came in and helped (about my size) was also able to...
  6. Miss

    I am now a PALS

    Dan, I am so very sorry you are here, but the members of this group were our lifeline when my 47 year old husband was diagnosed with ALS almost 13 years ago. Much like you, he experienced weakness in his left arm for quite a while prior to diagnosis ~ several years. It ws attributed to a...
  7. Miss

    First Timer

    Baclofen worked well for my late husband and many of our patients in relieving leg cramping.
  8. Miss

    First Timer

    We were fortunate enough to be advised to have the next anticipated DEM on hand before my husband needed it. It was also suggested that we practice with the eqiupment so that we would be familiar with using it. That turned out to be a lifesaver on many occassions. Mobility loss can occur in the...
  9. Miss

    First Timer

    Totally agree with wmilo! You are not in the minority with those feelings, I have found that this is what the majority of my patients experience, particularly men. Wmilo is correct. Many patients have also experienced falls that resulted in injuries that were life altering. While a bone might...
  10. Miss

    We had nothing but great experiences with the VA once everything was in place. I am so glad to...

    We had nothing but great experiences with the VA once everything was in place. I am so glad to hear that you have a PVA service officer. We now have a wonderful PVA at VAMC, and it really helps speed up the process.
  11. Miss

    Rapid Progression?

    Please let me know if I can help you with pushing things through the VA. I've gotten quite good at it.
  12. Miss

    Haunted

    Lenore, After my husband died, shortly after our 50th birthdays, I continued my volunteer work with ALS patients and their families. After about 1 1/2 years, I realized that saying I had lived through ALS wasn't enough for me and went back to school and earned a master's degree in social work...
  13. Miss

    Advice on In-Home Care

    My late husband had difficulty getting used to the BiPap. He "trained" himself by using it during the day while watching sports or a movie. It made it much easier to transition to using it while sleeping. I live in a city that has a good nursing school program. Many of the students are...
  14. Miss

    First Timer

    The Pacific Northwest is a good place to retire ~ especially with both children nearby! My daughter graduated from U of M law school in 2018, and my son graduated from Rhodes with a major in Neuroscience with plans to go to medical school ~ he is in the Army (Cyber Operations)! I lived in...
  15. Miss

    First Timer

    Jabba, quick question ~ were you evere in the military? I ask because your referred to the hour you get home in military time.
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