My pals has, for all intents and purposes, lost his ability to talk. I know he is frustrated, even though he is able to text and speak with the alternative systems I had in place in anticipation of this. He still has the ability to use them, but it is another loss. He was depressed tonight, I could tell, but refuses any suggestion of antidepressants. He has been in denial so long, it may be catching up with him. I speak for him now when the hospice nurse comes. she turns to ask him if it’s okay if I speak for him, he nods yes, and then shakes his head at pretty much anything I say. I am afraid it is FTD. I think I may have to call her and explain what that is, as it seems the hospice nurses don’t have a lot of experience with ALS. He is having more trouble swallowing but denies it. He is weaker, it denies it. I am older and weaker myself, but when I have more difficulty transferring him, he insists it is the way I am doing it, not the fact that he weighs a lot more than I do and I am not a young woman, I have learned to lift with my legs and, fortunately, have been physically active, try to eat right, so am still in ok shape. We do have a lift, it he hates when I have to use it and is usually mad at me for 24 hours afterwards. I love him, this is not him, it is so heartbreaking.