Hey Donna, I know what you mean about your mind playing tricks on you! I thought that was what was happening to me too with the swallowing/eating issues, and even told the speech pathologist that when I went in for the modified barium swallow. But nope, it's the real deal, so you might want to have the checked out (my MBS was scheduled as a "base line" test, but good thing I had it when I did). As for being alone, yeah, that sucks in some ways, but really, THANK GOD I got out of a yucky marriage before all this came about! It would really really suck far worse to be stuck with the ex through all this LOL! Anyways, things will work out somehow. They always do. I quit planning and trying so hard for things years ago. When something is supposed to happen, it does, so why fight it? Just enjoy the ride. So as crappy as ALS is, (quoting an awesome song written by Snuzz for pALS Tim LaFollette) "something beautiful will come out of this." Take care. ~ Sarah