JMH
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2006
- Messages
- 42
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Country
- CA
- State
- Manitoba
- City
- The Pas
Hi,
Took my Dad to see a specialist last Tuesday. This doctor did a physical examination of my dad and then did and EMG and NVC tests. He had my dad in his office for about an hour. Lots of questions for my dad that he answered as best he could. At he end of the hour he told my dad that he was sorry that he had to confirm the diagnosis of ALS. (He had been to 2 neurologists before this who diagnosed him immediately). This all from June 6 to the present. When we left he gave my dad a pamplet on Rilutek and a lab order for blood work. When I got home I looked up the blood work orders on my computer. The blood work includes: CK, hexosaminidase, TSH, Lyme, immunofixation, protein serum levels.
Dad is very thin and has lost a lot of weight. Is having difficulty even using a walker right now.
My head is still reeling - I guess I was just so sure that he couldn't possibly get a diagnosis this fast. Maybe I was hoping for a miracle.....I think Dad was too. It knocked the wind out of our sails and I guess I wonder what do do next. The ALS society is supposed to contact us. The doctor said he wanted to see Dad again but with the trip being so physically difficult he said that he could arrange a conference call. Any ideas out there of what we can expect now?
Dad still doesn't know the complete impact of the disease, doesn't seem to want to make any decisions as of yet and I don't want to push him but I'm afraid. He's going to need renovations around his home in order for us to care for him there as long as we possibly can. I don't even know where to start....never mind convincing dad he needs to help me make decisions.......
JMH
Took my Dad to see a specialist last Tuesday. This doctor did a physical examination of my dad and then did and EMG and NVC tests. He had my dad in his office for about an hour. Lots of questions for my dad that he answered as best he could. At he end of the hour he told my dad that he was sorry that he had to confirm the diagnosis of ALS. (He had been to 2 neurologists before this who diagnosed him immediately). This all from June 6 to the present. When we left he gave my dad a pamplet on Rilutek and a lab order for blood work. When I got home I looked up the blood work orders on my computer. The blood work includes: CK, hexosaminidase, TSH, Lyme, immunofixation, protein serum levels.
Dad is very thin and has lost a lot of weight. Is having difficulty even using a walker right now.
My head is still reeling - I guess I was just so sure that he couldn't possibly get a diagnosis this fast. Maybe I was hoping for a miracle.....I think Dad was too. It knocked the wind out of our sails and I guess I wonder what do do next. The ALS society is supposed to contact us. The doctor said he wanted to see Dad again but with the trip being so physically difficult he said that he could arrange a conference call. Any ideas out there of what we can expect now?
Dad still doesn't know the complete impact of the disease, doesn't seem to want to make any decisions as of yet and I don't want to push him but I'm afraid. He's going to need renovations around his home in order for us to care for him there as long as we possibly can. I don't even know where to start....never mind convincing dad he needs to help me make decisions.......
JMH