NeedCourage
Active member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2014
- Messages
- 73
- Reason
- Lost a loved one
- Diagnosis
- 12/2013
- Country
- US
- State
- PA
- City
- SW
Hello,
Firstly, please please excuse whatever mistakes I may be making in format or etiquette in this first shaky terrified post.
'CL' was diagnosed Tuesday March 4 with ALS. Doc is head of area ALS clinic so knows his business. So far his only symptom is right foot drop and mild twitches on all four limbs which only I can feel and 25 pound weight loss.
My husband is a vital, strong extremely energetic 76 and still works 40 hours per week since I have been mildly 'handicapped' for almost 10 years. Yesterday, Saturday, he announced at the weekly business meeting his diagnosis. We are applying for my social security (I am 64) and will get him onto Medicaid asap - he wants to stop working. It's a tough job demanding 13 hours days at times.
Needless to say, this has knocked the wind out of our sails - no - I guess it sunk the boat -- or feels that way.
This morning he said to me, "Why I am still taking these heart meds?" insinuating a heart attack would be a better end. He had a major one in 1993 and has been kept very healthy with BP meds and a diuretics and high dose statin.
His question brought on another crying jag which I have been doing a lot of for about a month since ALS was just a remote possibility... I am terrified! We have no children and I would be his sole caretaker - we have no retirement.
Perhaps he is right. It all seems so impossible with my limitations and his forthcoming needs.
I feel like I should apologize for this pathetic post but I am desperate to get some kind of grip on this ? turn in the road for us.
Thanks for reading. (Nancy)
Firstly, please please excuse whatever mistakes I may be making in format or etiquette in this first shaky terrified post.
'CL' was diagnosed Tuesday March 4 with ALS. Doc is head of area ALS clinic so knows his business. So far his only symptom is right foot drop and mild twitches on all four limbs which only I can feel and 25 pound weight loss.
My husband is a vital, strong extremely energetic 76 and still works 40 hours per week since I have been mildly 'handicapped' for almost 10 years. Yesterday, Saturday, he announced at the weekly business meeting his diagnosis. We are applying for my social security (I am 64) and will get him onto Medicaid asap - he wants to stop working. It's a tough job demanding 13 hours days at times.
Needless to say, this has knocked the wind out of our sails - no - I guess it sunk the boat -- or feels that way.
This morning he said to me, "Why I am still taking these heart meds?" insinuating a heart attack would be a better end. He had a major one in 1993 and has been kept very healthy with BP meds and a diuretics and high dose statin.
His question brought on another crying jag which I have been doing a lot of for about a month since ALS was just a remote possibility... I am terrified! We have no children and I would be his sole caretaker - we have no retirement.
Perhaps he is right. It all seems so impossible with my limitations and his forthcoming needs.
I feel like I should apologize for this pathetic post but I am desperate to get some kind of grip on this ? turn in the road for us.
Thanks for reading. (Nancy)