Recent content by rictak in IA

7 1/2 years its been now. from a slight tingle in her left foot to total paralysis took roughly 2 years. very slow decline since then, really where do you decline to? her breathing is compromised, but O2 levels stay up with nightly use of the bi-pap. If it was just us, I'd probably suck it...

Its been so long that its hard to remember. She lost the ability to stand about 6 yrs ago, and probably all movement except her neck and head about 4 1/2 yrs ago. She mostly just goes form bed to recliner via Hoyer Lift now. Her breathing is definitely affected, but her O2 levels stay good...

Been dealing with a lot of this just lately. My wife is 44 and we've been dealing with this for 7 1/2 years. I love my wife, and want the whatever is best for her, but I hate that my life is passing me by and I hate that our kids are growing up with nothing but a half of me (or less) and a...

Hi Megan. Welcome. So sorry to hear about your husband. My wife was also diagnosed young (37). That was 3 1/2 years ago. It's a struggle and a constant readjustment of what you think of as normal, but it can be done, and with a little positivity it can even be a rewarding experience, helping...

This seems as good a place as any to ask. Has anyone here ever heard of a PALS getting a colostomy bag? My wife has not stood or pivoted for over 3 yrs now, and every time she needs to go it is Hoyer to commode (in the living room). We can occasionally get out for a few hours at a time, but...

Hey Kim, Sorry, I just don't get on around here much anymore. We are still hanging in. Hope you have a good Christmas. Gary

We don't have that exact brand or model, but its still the same machine. My wife hasn't stood for 6-8 months now and we use ours for recliner-chair, chair-bed, chair-commode for every transfer we do. 10-20 times a day as well. we have several different slings we use for different manuvers...

We went 3 or 4 times, and while I felt I was learning new things that could help along the way, my wife felt it was too depressing and time consuming. 3 hour drive + overnight in a hotel (probably impossible now that she is 100% Hoyer) + Meals + 2 days of lost work time. In the end she...

Hoyer Lift saved my life! Fairly simple to get the hang of, real back saver.

Hey Kim, sorry I haven't been returning messages very well lately. If I don't reply the instant I get a message, I just seem to forget about it altogether. My wife is unable to stand anymore, and her left arm has been all but useless for about a year or better now. Her right arm isn't much...

We have a 9 and a 2 yr old, and I can't turn my back without the 2 yr old "Helping" Usually by moving the Hoyer across the room, flattening the bed spread, or straightening her fingers for her. Most of the time his help just causes more work, but its so sweet and so worth it. The nine yr old...

Really happy to read this! I'm planning a 3 day trip out of state, and of course, I've got all the worries that go with it. I feel like I have all my ducks in a row, but still... Glad to see you were able to make it work. fingers crossed.

Hey emma, sorry to hear about your husband. I don't have any advice that you havn't read elseware before. Take advantage of his mobility, take a family vacation or two, just in case you don't get time for three or four. My wife was 37 when she was diagnosed, and we started planning very...

Hey dbltree, Had to Google to find Birmingham IA, Looks like I'm basically in the opposite corner of the state, up by the Okoboji area. Just curious who your IA ALS rep is? We meet with a girl named Krista, and she has been really great to us. Seems like we're lucky here in IA, I hear some...

Thats right! I ment to mention the seat elevator. Our ALS assn. recomended a local(ish) provider to us, and they really took care of EVERYTHING, They came out and measured her at our home, went through the list of every accesory she would need, now and in the future, and set up the appt with...