Palmer was diagnosed with Dementia in February 2018 and ALS in May of 2018. During the summer of 2017, I began noticing some memory issues with Palmer.  Just little things…people’s names, not carrying a conversation very well, telling the same stories over again, telling the same jokes over and over…I knew something was changing with Palmer.

Since Palmer had previous history with a neurologist at OHSU, in December 2017, we made an appointment and he had an MRI.  After they viewed his MRI, followed by more testing, we were referred to the ALS neurologist at Providence ALS.   We met with Dr. Goslin, Providence ALS clinic, on April 24, 2018.  At the next appointment on May 22…she gave us the news of ALS.  We were totally shocked.  I had just decided to retire from the school district, and we decided to sale our house and move into Silverton. After this diagnosis, we decided to wait and sale our house until January 2019. 

Soon after he was diagnosed, we got together with some friends from Coeur d’Alene. Our friend had worked at the Spokane VA office, and informed us that there was a relationship between ALS and Veterans.  Since Palmer is a Veteran, in July we made an appointment to meet with a VA representative to discuss our options.  In August, Palmer was awarded 100% disability as it was a service related illness that entitles him to specially adapted housing, automobile, and equipment.

Palmer’s dementia began to progress.  During the summer of 2019, he couldn’t remember his cousins we saw just a few months prior.  Or his nieces wedding we had just attended.  When we went for a visit to his childhood home in Idaho with the kids, he could not remember places that should have been familiar to him.  One day, he sat at the table forgetting to move to the couch.  Physically, he was now using a cane to walk.  By Fall, he was using the walker all the time.  He also needed a transport wheelchair, and a shower chair to help in the shower.   

January 2020, we hired Lenora to come two days a week, so I could attend my support groups and attend my Bible Study.   (Of course, we have not met in person since March!)  In April, we began our VA provided remodel. In May, I began the process of getting the adaptive wheelchair and the adaptive van. 

While Palmer has declined a lot in the last 4 months, he has more weakness in his hands and legs, we are thankful his ALS has not affected his breathing or speech. God has really been good to us. I thank him all the time for the 38 years we have had together and the many memories. 

We will be celebrating his 80th birthday in July with close friends and family. Our kids will be together to help honor this wonderful man, he may not remember it.  He loves doing things and having people around.  Life has not always been easy for him, but he has always had a close relationship with His Lord and Savior and given his children a godly heritage.  I miss his stories and his jokes that he can no longer share…