Want2Help
New member
- Joined
- May 29, 2008
- Messages
- 5
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Country
- US
- State
- Ohio
- City
- Columbus
Hello everyone,
I thought I would say "hi" and give a brief introduction. My name is Lisa and I live in Ohio. My stepmom's sister was diagnosed with ALS (after an initial diagnosed of PLS) about 1 1/2 years ago. I am very close with my stepmom and over the years have also become close with my "step" aunt. They are as much my family to me as blood-related family is.
I guess it's ironic that I come here now, but my aunt is moving to another state next week because she needs to live with someone in order to be safe and get all the care she needs. Although I know it's what is best for her, I am going to miss her so much and I am having a hard time realizing that after next week she won't be here any more for me to visit so easily. (She's going to live with other relatives who have offered their home to care for her, allowing her to avoid institutional care.) I am so glad that she has someone who loves her so much and will be there for her, but I am also sad that ALS has taken so much of her independence so quickly that she has to go ahead and move already. It's such an unfair disease.
So I guess after next week I won't really be a "caregiver" anymore, (and have only been a minimal caregiver thus far-more of a mental help than a physical one, I guess......). But, I still want to support her and I know that this place will help me to find out information on drug trials, treatments, etc.....for me to continue to help her for as long as possible. And that's why I am here. I look forward to getting to know all of you.
I thought I would say "hi" and give a brief introduction. My name is Lisa and I live in Ohio. My stepmom's sister was diagnosed with ALS (after an initial diagnosed of PLS) about 1 1/2 years ago. I am very close with my stepmom and over the years have also become close with my "step" aunt. They are as much my family to me as blood-related family is.
I guess it's ironic that I come here now, but my aunt is moving to another state next week because she needs to live with someone in order to be safe and get all the care she needs. Although I know it's what is best for her, I am going to miss her so much and I am having a hard time realizing that after next week she won't be here any more for me to visit so easily. (She's going to live with other relatives who have offered their home to care for her, allowing her to avoid institutional care.) I am so glad that she has someone who loves her so much and will be there for her, but I am also sad that ALS has taken so much of her independence so quickly that she has to go ahead and move already. It's such an unfair disease.
So I guess after next week I won't really be a "caregiver" anymore, (and have only been a minimal caregiver thus far-more of a mental help than a physical one, I guess......). But, I still want to support her and I know that this place will help me to find out information on drug trials, treatments, etc.....for me to continue to help her for as long as possible. And that's why I am here. I look forward to getting to know all of you.