My mom, Cindy, found out in August 2015 that a neurologist believed that some seemingly unrelated symptoms she had been having over the last few months could be ALS. She had an EMG and along with some other diagnostic tests, found that it was all pointing to that and gave her the official diagnosis of ALS. There is no cure for this illness and the disease is terminal. It has been a very difficult and trying experience of never expecting that our time was so short together. ALS is a progressively debilitating disease that causes muscle weakness in one system after the other. It has caused mom to have increasing difficulty walking, moving, swallowing, breathing, and talking. Currently, her speech has been very compromised and she is usually writing down what she wants to say or communicate. Her mentation and cognition remain the same and she is fully able to process and interact except for having trouble being understood. She has been very graceful in dealing with all of these changes and difficulties as her body seems to fail her on many levels. She appreciates all of the love and support constantly poured on her from her friends, family, church and community, but has had a hard time keeping up with well meaning inquiries and calls due to her difficulty speaking. She remains steadfast in giving glory to God for his good gifts and plans for our lives in the midst of great trial and suffering and is such an example to all who are blessed to be around her. She remains at home in their beautiful mountain setting with her loving husband Bob and faithful companion Beau (their naughty, but lovable beagle).
This forum will be a place where updates will be posted on mom's journey and where comments and encouragements can be left for her to read. Her spirits are lifted by you all and your cards, loving words, and photo updates so please keep them coming!
Please direct your communication here as mom is wishing to have a bit more rest and solitude in the coming months and is somewhat overwhelmed by trying to keep up communication over the phone.
Thank you to all who so graciously pour their love I to our family. We are grateful for you
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