TypingTerror
Member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2007
- Messages
- 12
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Country
- US
- State
- FL
- City
- Zephyrhills
Hi, I just found this forum and joined. My father-in-law was just diagnosed with bulbar onset ALS. He is 64 and has lived with my husband and myself for the past 11 years. In July of this year, he had sudden onset of inability to swallow. His left vocal cord is paralyzed with aspiration of any liquids/solids, so he had a feeding tube placed at that time. He cannot have MRIs done because his neck has been broken in the past and he has metal pins in it now, but the nerve conduction test that was done on Wednesday confirmed ALS according to his neurologist. We were told to expect a significant decline in his condition in the next 6-12 months, but for now, he is doing okay. He is getting disability, and we are in the process of getting him on Medicaid as his FMLA runs out in 10 days and his insurance will be lost. He's already had to have his feeding tube replaced once because it was accidentally pulled out, so we are trying to get things done as quickly as possible for insurance coverage until he is eligible for Medicare in May. His biggest issue besides the swallowing is that he has always been a hard worker, and it is hard for him not working. My husband and I had to convince him to be seen in the emergency room when this first started because he didn't want to call in sick.
As for myself, I am a medical transcriptionist, fortunate to be able to work from home. My husband is looking for work at this time. We have 2 children, a daughter almost 10 and a son who is 6 (and just broke his arm a week ago trying to be a stuntman). The information on talking to kids about ALS has been very helpful. Since FIL has lived with us for so long, he has been a constant presence in their lives, making this even more difficult for them. I look forward to getting to know you here and hope to learn as much as I can about this illness.
Marisa
As for myself, I am a medical transcriptionist, fortunate to be able to work from home. My husband is looking for work at this time. We have 2 children, a daughter almost 10 and a son who is 6 (and just broke his arm a week ago trying to be a stuntman). The information on talking to kids about ALS has been very helpful. Since FIL has lived with us for so long, he has been a constant presence in their lives, making this even more difficult for them. I look forward to getting to know you here and hope to learn as much as I can about this illness.
Marisa