Marjorie R. Wilcox
Senior member
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2007
- Messages
- 661
- Diagnosis
- 10/2007
- Country
- US
- State
- New York
- City
- Richmondville
My husband, Rick, not only was recently diagnosed with ALS, but is fighting to save his right leg from an accident in July. Would you believe that we went to a church picnic where a homemade cannon was set off for our entertainment, and it malfunctioned and blew up backwards into the crowd? After 5 surgeries thusfar, he is successfully growing a bone and is doing fine with the leg. He also has Type II diabetes and has been on a BIPAP for more than a year for sleep apnea.
Rick and I have known each other for over 55 years, but we are newlyweds of only one year. He is a sweetheart... a gentle, kind, very loving man who never asks for anything and never says an unkind word about anybody. He accepts all this with quiet peace and is not afraid to die.
I have a fulltime job, and on the side I have been a home caregiver for six different clients until they passed away. I don't know how I will possibly bear Rick's being my "magnum opus." I have been complimented on my homecare skills but am not prepared to accept watching my sweetheart suffer and die.
I need the support of your forum and look forward to receiving consolation and advice. We have access to all the supports of the VA as Rick is a Navy veteran. We have the financial backing of the homeowner's policy to take care of the medical needs to heal the leg... and we have our church and personal medical insurance as well.
Rick coughs when he laughs. He staggered when he could walk before the accident. His calf muscles were deteriorating even before the explosion, and he is beginning to have evening twitches in his legs. He has excessive phlegm in the morning... some memory loss. He is not bedridden. He goes to the bathroom with his walker, hopping on one foot as he can put no weight on the bad leg. He sits with his leg elevated all day otherwise. He has lost his job and is on disability..... cannot drive.
I would appreciate any response from anyone.... anytime and will try to get responses given within a reasonable span of time, should the need arise. I thank you so very much. Marjorie
Rick and I have known each other for over 55 years, but we are newlyweds of only one year. He is a sweetheart... a gentle, kind, very loving man who never asks for anything and never says an unkind word about anybody. He accepts all this with quiet peace and is not afraid to die.
I have a fulltime job, and on the side I have been a home caregiver for six different clients until they passed away. I don't know how I will possibly bear Rick's being my "magnum opus." I have been complimented on my homecare skills but am not prepared to accept watching my sweetheart suffer and die.
I need the support of your forum and look forward to receiving consolation and advice. We have access to all the supports of the VA as Rick is a Navy veteran. We have the financial backing of the homeowner's policy to take care of the medical needs to heal the leg... and we have our church and personal medical insurance as well.
Rick coughs when he laughs. He staggered when he could walk before the accident. His calf muscles were deteriorating even before the explosion, and he is beginning to have evening twitches in his legs. He has excessive phlegm in the morning... some memory loss. He is not bedridden. He goes to the bathroom with his walker, hopping on one foot as he can put no weight on the bad leg. He sits with his leg elevated all day otherwise. He has lost his job and is on disability..... cannot drive.
I would appreciate any response from anyone.... anytime and will try to get responses given within a reasonable span of time, should the need arise. I thank you so very much. Marjorie