Joan Mulitsch

First post: Oct 1, 2017 Latest post: Dec 20, 2017
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Mom began feeling very fatigued with complaints of her legs hurting in April of this year, We spent the next few months visiting her Doctors and going thru some tests and much blood work to continue to be told they couldn't find anything specific, however she continued to decline. She became more tired and weak as the weeks passed having to start using a walker, wheelchair and handicap bars in her home. She was not able to use steps or drive any longer. Then somewhere around the beginning of July, her speech became less audible and she was checked for stroke, again, nothing present to diagnose. Her doctor then sent us to a neurologist where we began many tests again, each test would make her even more tired. After a few weeks and the results began to come in, we were told in August that Mom has ALS. A very uncommon diagnosis for an 85 year old we have been told. About 3 weeks ago she almost had a fainting spell which thankfully we were there at the time to get her to the hospital. There was never a definitive answer to this and we then spent a few days in the Hospital, then moved to Acute Rehab for about 10 days. In this timeframe she began having even more difficulty speaking and swallowing food. She was taken to Barnes where a GI Feeding Tube was placed to reduce the risk of choking while trying to eat. She was released from Barnes on Thursday September 28th and moved to Alexian Brothers Lodge Skilled Facility. Since she is no longer able to live on her own, this will be her new home, We are in the process of hopefully being able to get a loaner Power Chair for her and looking into alternative communication devices too, this should be able to give her additional independence in her daily living.  We are sure she would enjoy visits from anyone who wishes and there are no strict visiting hours, however she is pretty worn out after 6pm or so, always her freshest in the morning until about 3-4pm.

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