Hugs. It is never easy to watch a loved one go through this. If you need somebody to vent to please feel free to reach out to me. While not the same as ALS my FIL has MS and it is quickly getting worse. It is tough to watch H handle this from afar.
Has your family been in touch with the closest ALS association chapter? Some chapters have more resources than others, but all should be able to offer some help and resources, especially as the disease progresses. There are also often programs to help family caregivers as well.
I worked for a chapter for years, and still have a lot of contacts at several chapters. Id be happy to get you in touch with the right person if you think it would help.
Post by shell403b on Sept 21, 2014 20:21:08 GMT -5
hamster, I'm experiencing someone close to me dying of ALS also. He was a healthy mobile 43 year old a year ago, and now, can work no longer, has the use of one single finger, and his 5 and 8 year old are losing their dad. Ugh. I am so sorry that it's your FIL--please know that you can dump whatever you like here and we'll listen (read?)...
You can PM me too if you like. Creepy internet stranger hugs and all--again, so sorry.
Post by AllieHound on Sept 21, 2014 20:44:20 GMT -5
Ugh, I'm sorry. H's grandfather died from ALS when H was 12 or so. He, too, progressed quickly, and its still hard for the whole family to talk about. I'm sorry your family is dealing with this. Good thoughts that his remaining time is filled with good moments that leave warm memories.
Has your family been in touch with the closest ALS association chapter? Some chapters have more resources than others, but all should be able to offer some help and resources, especially as the disease progresses. There are also often programs to help family caregivers as well.
I worked for a chapter for years, and still have a lot of contacts at several chapters. Id be happy to get you in touch with the right person if you think it would help.
ALS sucks so hard. I'm sorry.
I believe MIL has likely contacted them, but I don't really know. Nobody really wants to talk about the next six months. I just take cues from H and every once in a while ask a morbid question.
hamster, I'm experiencing someone close to me dying of ALS also. He was a healthy mobile 43 year old a year ago, and now, can work no longer, has the use of one single finger, and his 5 and 8 year old are losing their dad. Ugh. I am so sorry that it's your FIL--please know that you can dump whatever you like here and we'll listen (read?)...
You can PM me too if you like. Creepy internet stranger hugs and all--again, so sorry.
I'm so sorry you are going through this, too. Those poor kids. At least (ugh) H is 32.
I am so so sorry your family is going through this. It's a horrible disease to watch someone go through. Is there anyone in real life who can in turn be your rock? Your parents or a sibling?
I think it's important to recognize that your experience in dealing with this, and your pain, is as important and real as your H's.
I am so so sorry your family is going through this. It's a horrible disease to watch someone go through. Is there anyone in real life who can in turn be your rock?
Not really. My best friend just moved away, and I'm not close enough to my parents. I could lean on my old coworker if times got really tough. But that's kind of what you guys are for. And, like I said, mrschicken is super duper awesome.
Post by JayhawkGirl on Sept 22, 2014 2:19:05 GMT -5
hamster, supporting my husband through his grief from losing his dad last December has been the hardest thing I've ever done. My heart breaks for him and his mom, for our kids (esp our son who knew him) and then I of course had a relationship with him and miss him terribly.
If you ever need someone to talk to, vent, cry, reassurance, you name it - please feel free to pm me. Seriously. I am guilty of not wanting to burden anyone with my own stuff through it all but the fact is we all need someone.
I'm sorry. My Dad died from MS so I went through something similar. Neurological diseases are just awful, awful, awful.
I was just about to say this, too. It's so hard when the person you love is here, but, every day is becoming less and less of the person you love and more and more a memory of that person. You want to grieve, but the person you love is alive and you feel like you don't have the ... ?right? ... to grieve. I'm so sorry you and your H and his family are dealing with this, (((hamster))).