Yureka!

[Ladyinn]

After much frustration, I do believe I have figured out how to post on this forum.... Maybe I should change my user name to "slow learner"!

I am newly diagnosed (November '09). I'm widowed, own a business, care for my 84 year old mother and always thought I was strong. You know the type - Wonder Woman - and so when I heard the diagnosis, I figured, oh well just one more thing to deal with. Some may call it denial and they are no doubt right.

I had loss use of my left arm nearly two years ago, and I've been falling for more than six years and thought it was old age. No broken bones until Oct 2008 when I broke an ankle in three places, then in 2009 fell off the porch steps and cut my hand on a piece of wire requiring stitches. In the summer of 2009 I fell in my garage - flat on my face, split my lip, requiring stitches, and had a bruised face.

All of that and I kept going and telling myself "this too shall pass" -- guess what -- it didn't. In Jan 2010 I fell down 14 steps in my home and cracked my head open - more stitches. Now my right arm is starting to show signs of weakness, and I am experiencing more fatigue, more tears, and lots of frustration at my inability to move like a normal 62 year old female should. So I am beginning to think the doctors might have been right after all - and I can't deny any longer that this disease is now a reality to be reckoned with.

Thus my desire to become a participant and friend of these forums - instead of letting ALS frustrate me I am being frustrated by the computer and trying to learn how to set up a blog!- :

 

[brooksea]

Welcome to the forum and sorry about your diagnosis.

Sounds like you've had a lot to deal with over the past few years. You are Wonder Woman!

 

[indigosd]

Woo Hoo! You did it! My Daddy will be 85 years young next month and lives on the Farm 8 miles from me [alone] where he was born. I so understand taking care of your parents. :] You may want to check out the events thread and sign up for our World Monthly Howl at the Moon Event! I have found this forum to be the very best online support and information to say nothing about the love of the forum family. A million WELCOMES! hugs, Kay Marie

 

[handinhand]

Hi Lady, So glad that you found us... this is the place i go to everyday to see how my friends are doing. To share my accomplishments and my sadness...Always no matter what time of the day or night..someone is here.. It is truely next to God ,my salvation...We understand what you are feeling and what you are going through. Welcome and please join our family... We care! Hugs, linda

 

[Al]

Welcome Lady. As you may read in another thread, I know about falls too.

AL

 

[Blubear]

Welcome to our forum lady. So sorry you had to find us though. Wow, it sounds like you have had quite the falls these past few years! Of course the tears are normal right now. You have to give yourself a hug hun! You have to be extra careful now. Make sure you have handrails where you need them and try to focus on what you are doing, and slooooowwwww down. I dont have ALS, my dad does, but let me tell ya, I am always tripping or falling because I am not focused on what I am doing. My mind is always on what I am going to do next. Now that you are starting to accept your diagnosis, do you have an ALS specialist? Does mom know? You hang in there, and keep living life as full as possible! We are here anytime you have questions, or just need to talk or vent.
Hugs, Kari

 

[tdamess]

hi lady ...you are not alone on posting took me a long time and was told about 4 different times lol .... yes als sux's ...but glad you found this site .. it will help you ...sorry this is the way you had to be here ....do you have other family that can help .... my son has it he very funny the type everyone loves ... you know how something went wrong and we say oh god ... he would say yes ? ... lol it progress and now everyone refers to him as god lol joke around here well he got it also so superwoman or man als is not prejudice .. but welcome

 

[Ladyinn]

Thanks for the welcome and the support. Now if I could just figure out how to use this site - How do I post a new thread without using a "reply" and how can I start my own blog?

My mom does know, Blubear, but she has some dementia and is pretty self centered most days and so I don't think she fully understands what my condition is -- and that is ok. My son lives in Rapid City - a 45 minute drive and is the COO at a community health clinic so is a good support getting thru the medical maze. I do have an ALS specialist in Rapid City and am going to an ALS clinic at the hospital every two months. Yesterday I had a blood gas study done and my son met me at the hospital and was there while the test was run - afterwards we went to the cafeteria for a bite to eat till my ride arrived and my son said he didn't know if I was tired but he was! Seems he held his breath and blew everytime I did! I told him it was role reversal - when he was small and in a high chair, everytime I fed him I opened my mouth!

Anyway, thanks for your sage wisdom - it was a good shot in the arm.

 

[Ladyinn]

tdamess, your son sounds a lot like mine - full of humor and always there to make me and others laugh. We are lucky women aren't we? How old is your son? Mine is 39 years old and has two children, a girl age 9 and a boy who will be 6 next week. My grandson is as funny as his dad - always saying or doing something that makes me laugh outloud. The belly laughs are good, but I choke and have trouble breathing at times when I laugh but it is worth it.

Hope your day is a good one - your note of encouragement is appreciated. I am sure you will be hearing more from me when I figure out exactly how to use this site. At the moment I am "in training"!

 

[tdamess]

hi my son is 38 with 3 kids but only one at home .... i have 14 grand children and not one is like him . they are cute thou lol ... anytime i will be here for you ... take care and no more falling is allowed ... and besides you have to ask permission first lol ...then i will tell you NO and tell you to give up the pride and independence :wink:

 

[peter57]

Welcome Lady to this wonderful site.

Re posting a new thread, well you did one with this Yureka thread but to try and explain it, here goes.

Go to the light blue sections just below the ALSforums banner at the top of the page.
Find the area in which you want to post in and when in it
"new thread" (i think that is what it is called) will appear at the top left hand side.

eg this thread is in the
ALS and MND Support Group> General Discussion About ALS/MND section as shown in the second line below the Banner.

re Blogs.
I havent done one but i would suggest either go to the Blog tab on the blue line or go to your User CP and there should be ideas there.

I hope this helps.

cheers
Peter

 

[t34gib]

Welcome. Now could you tell me how to start a post. I can only reply. I have looked and cannot find where to start a post. I have emailed and still no answere. Been here for a year or more and still cannot start a post. HELP!

 

[Ladyinn]

This might be like the blind leading the lame... but I think you go to New Posts then look in the far right hand column for the Forum you want to post in. Put your cursor on the Forum and press "enter". When the Forum opens look in the left hand corner and see where it says "New Thread" or something to that effect. Put your cursor on that and click -- wha la if I'm right you will get a box to post your message. Good Luck - let me know if my directions were clearer than mud!:-D

 

[peter57]

hi t34gib.

I hope you are not getting confused with posts and threads.

Threads are topics that people start to ask a question or such.

Posts are replies to threads.

I am guessing you want to ask a question and as such you will need to start a thread with that question.

I posted a reply to Lady on this thread about starting a new thread. Give it a go and see how you go.

If I am way off the mark I apologize.

Cheers
Peter

 

[Al]

When in doubt read the FAQ up on the left. Most questions are answered there.

AL.