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Lou Gehrig's disease. Anyone else dealing with it?
Today | Brainhose

Posted on 12/20/2004 9:19:56 PM PST by Brainhose

This would be consided a vanity post I suppose.
My Step-dad has just been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) and this will probably be his last X-Mas. There are some web support groups out there, but I'm wondering if there are any Freepers out there who have had to deal with this, and could possibly share some personal insight and advice. It would also be a great help to my mom whom I'm teaching how to use e-mail, and someday I shall convert her into a Freeper :). We worked as poll checkers together for the Bush Campaign.

Many, many thanks in advance!


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: als; disease; lougehrig
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1 posted on 12/20/2004 9:19:57 PM PST by Brainhose
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To: Brainhose; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; Accountable One; Aeronaut; AKA Elena; Alabama_Wild_Man; ...
Prayer ping.

Please post your replies to Brainhose


Brainhose, My prayers go up for your Step-dad, and your family. God's healing hand over your Step-dad. Lord, please protect this loved one. Grant him precious time with those who love him. Provide his family with comfort and peace. Surround them with your love. In Jesus' precious name. Amen

Blessings,
trussell


If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

2 posted on 12/20/2004 9:36:49 PM PST by trussell (I Never Frown, even when I am sad,because I never know who is falling in love with my Smile!!!)
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To: Brainhose

Damn, sorry to hear that.

My Dad has Parkinsons, I know how you all feel.

This is for Mass. but depending on where you live in N.H this might help.

http://www.als-ma.org


3 posted on 12/20/2004 9:37:51 PM PST by Redcoat LI (3.5 Million)
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To: Brainhose

I join with the others here in prayer for your step dad and all of the family!


4 posted on 12/20/2004 9:38:51 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: Brainhose; trussell
Heavenly Father, we return with grateful hearts that You have given us a FReeper family who will encourage and support one another, and who will pray one for another. Lead Brainhose to the information he seeks, that he might better understand what is happening to his Step-Dad. Be of encouragement and comfort to the family, O God, for each will be struggling in their own way. Open up new pathways of treatment and hope that their hearts may be encouraged and his days lengthened. May it be thus, O Lord, in the Name of Jesus, Amen ...
5 posted on 12/20/2004 9:58:13 PM PST by Pegita ('Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word ...)
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To: Brainhose

aw, I am so sorry to hear that! Prayers for you all.


6 posted on 12/20/2004 10:04:19 PM PST by bitt
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To: trussell
Many, many thanks. I think I'm having a harder time dealing with it than anyone else in my 'Whole Fam Damily'Including his own birth children. My Step-dad (more like a real Dad) seems to be resigned.
The other night he said to my mom that this will probably be his last X-Mas. (Heavy sigh) At least he's enjoying his last days by going on cruises and eating all the food that he loves that is so bad for you :). My mom is a woman of steel! I spent last weekend helping her do landscaping and clearing brush.
Unfortunately what I've found from Google searches and such is that ALS is growing at exponential rates. Probably just due to the aging population though.
Either that or the environmental policies of the Bush administration and his failure to sign the Kyoto agreement! :) Just Kidding! (My step dad would appreciate the very lame joke) Again, Heavy Sigh And thanks much for the wonderful replies.
7 posted on 12/20/2004 10:06:55 PM PST by Brainhose (THINK OF THE KITTENS!)
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To: Brainhose

May God place His healing hand upon your step father and bring him Peace and good health. May God's will be done in this matter. And God, if you will, give added portions of Peace and Understanding to these loved ones of the step dad. Be with the doctors and caregivers as they do the work they are trained to do. Let them be a comfort to the step-dad as You comfort them. All these things we ask in the Christ, whose birth we celebrate this month. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen


8 posted on 12/20/2004 10:10:24 PM PST by uncleshag (Right now is the next minute of the rest of your day!)
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To: Redcoat LI
Thanks so very much.
I appreciate everyone's kind replies.
some of you may have seen my previous post over the weekend for advice on adopting a cat. I think this is what is driving it.
On the phone with my mother tonite I mentioned it and she said 'I was thinking of adopting a cat as well', if that isn't weird I don't know what is.
I guess sometimes you're so mentally attuned with family that you actually respond to problems in the same way.(Insert Twilight Zone music here)
Again, many, many thanks.
9 posted on 12/20/2004 10:14:23 PM PST by Brainhose (THINK OF THE KITTENS!)
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To: Brainhose

Rough patch indeed! I'll put your stepfather, you and your family in our daily prayers for whatever is needed to be there at just the right time.



10 posted on 12/20/2004 10:17:46 PM PST by Judith Anne (Thank you St. Jude for favors granted.)
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To: Brainhose

Don't give up. The prognosis varies with different individuals. One friend who had ALS is gone. That was 10 years ago. However, another friend who was diagnosed 3 years ago is still walking with a cane. In his case, the disease is not progressing.


11 posted on 12/20/2004 10:18:40 PM PST by Siempre Adelante
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To: Brainhose
Sorry to hear about this.

I think the increase in ALS cases has more to do with increased recognition/reporting of the disease than any actual spike in the number of people living with it.

My mother had a relative with Parkinson's, this was years ago, before it was even cataloged, let alone, treated.

I hope you and your relations are able to pull through this.

It sounds like your step-dad is taking this news in stride.

Hopefully, he'll be able to enjoy his last days, spending them with the people he loves.

-good times, G.J.P.(Jr.)

12 posted on 12/20/2004 10:23:31 PM PST by Do not dub me shapka broham (Why did it take me so long to come up with a new tag-line, huh?! What's up with that?)
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To: Brainhose

Hey Brainhose,

did you ever read "Tuesdays with Morrie"? It's about a younger man reaching out to an old mentor who had ALS. It was a bestseller and was quite good.


13 posted on 12/20/2004 10:25:55 PM PST by PianoMan (and now back to practicing)
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To: PianoMan
I enjoyed watching the tv-film.

Most likely, because of the superb acting of Hank Azaria.

However, I've read that the book itself is too maudlin.

Personally, I think that the only really decent book that Albom ever wrote was "Fab Five."

Which isn't too surprising, since sports journalism seems to be the only field where he is truly gifted.

14 posted on 12/20/2004 10:42:41 PM PST by Do not dub me shapka broham (Why did it take me so long to come up with a new tag-line, huh?! What's up with that?)
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To: Brainhose

Prayers for your family in this trying time.


15 posted on 12/21/2004 4:20:04 AM PST by sweetiepiezer (Proud Mother of 2 US Marines)
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To: Brainhose
I don't know anyone personally who has ALS, but I pray that God will give your dad peace and strength and healing, in Jesus' name.

Carolyn

16 posted on 12/21/2004 5:15:45 AM PST by CDHart
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To: Brainhose

Prayers on the way!


17 posted on 12/21/2004 6:06:16 AM PST by BlessedBeGod (George W. Bush -- The Terror of the Terrorists)
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To: Brainhose

Prayers for your family.


18 posted on 12/21/2004 6:09:25 AM PST by kassie ("It's the soldier who allows freedom of speech, not the reporter..")
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To: Brainhose
Brainhose,
I know all-too-well the raveges of ALS having lost my Mom to this cursed disease when she was 60. Dad retired early to be her caregiver for the 4-yrs she battled after being diagnosed. Of my sibs, I was the only one still in our hometown and was called upon frequently when Dad couldn't help completely by himself.

The harsh truth is that you and everyone who deeply cares for your step-dad will be tested beyond what you think you can endure. But gird yourself knowing that the God of David will lift his own up and give you more than enough strength to equal what lies ahead.

Many in our family were lukewarm Christians (including mom herself) when this all happened and this kind of thing can either break you or make you. For us, we drew unto Christ like chicks to the hen and her battle and passing were so harsh & tragic, yet so beautiful so as to be admirable. Her last moments were with all family gathered and when I asked if she believed in Christ she gave her very clear yes-meaning eye-blink. That simple sign has become such an important life-defining affirmation and testimony to us and now you.

From the little I know of you, my advise is for you to be the one to reign in any thoughts by family that God caused this - He didn't, Satan did. Let your family be fulfillment that with God at your side, what Satan meant for evil, be turned into good. My prayers are with you and yours.

19 posted on 12/21/2004 9:03:08 AM PST by TruthRespecter (May this be a blessed and most Merrist of Christmas')
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To: Do not dub me shapka broham
A man has two things in life he can truly call his own:

The sum of his knowledge and the certainty he can never fully share it.

20 posted on 12/22/2004 9:22:03 AM PST by Old Professer (The accidental trumps the purposeful in every endeavor attended by the incompetent.)
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