Some of you may know from earlier postings that my Mother-in-law is very ill. She has ALS-Lou Gehrigs disease. There is (now) no cure. Lately, she seems to have taking a turn for worse. Twice last week she had to go to the doctor for respitory/pain problems (she started choking and we couldn't get her airways clear) On Friday, she started having some heart arrythmias-this could just be a medication thing. Anyway, today she is going to Lexington a two hour trip to see a specialist. That will be terribly draining for her. Please keep her in your prayers. Thank you so much.

-- Kelly (Ksaderholm@yahoo.com), December 10, 2001

Answers

Hi Kelly, I hope the specialist is able to give her some relief. she will surely be in my thoughts and prayers. Your family is indeed blessed to have you!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 10, 2001.

Kelly, your mother-in-law is certainly in my prayers. ALS is a terrible disease. Who is she seeing in Lexington? I worked for 25 years at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington. I now go to the U of Ky. medical center because my insurance is there since I no longer work. Keep us posted on how your mother-in-law is doing and I will keep the rest of the family in my prayers also. God bless you all.

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), December 10, 2001.

Kelly, I forgot to mention my church contributes regulary to the ALS fund at the University of Ky. We had a member die with ALS so it is our pet cause to contribute to. They are doing some great things at UK for ALS and we pray for a cure.

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), December 10, 2001.

Kelly: Our prayers are with your Mother in law and your family. We have had a friend with ALS and we know what you are going through. Blessings.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001.

Count on our prayers also. And for every post that says it, I'm sure there are a dozen who are doing it in the secret of their "closet."

-- Randal (randal@rhyme.cjb.net), December 10, 2001.

Thanks to all for your prayers. At the last minuet She decided not to go, which I think was wise-this appointment was more of a tracking,progress thing instead of treatment. She does have to go to Bowling Green on Thurs-outpatient surgury to adjust her feeding tube- I thought two trips this week was two much-so she will try Lexington again on Jan 7. I spent a good amount of time with her and she seems to be feeling a little better.

The specialist that she goes to is a Dr. Kasarkus(SP?) I believe he is out of UK-when she goes to Lexington, My SIL takes over! St. Joseph is a good hospital-my SIL delivered her premature baby there and recieved excellent care-she and baby are doing great by the way.

If any of you know ALS patients and have any tips to share, I'd be glad to hear them-often I feel at wits end dealing with this!

-- Kelly (Ksaderholm@yahoo.com), December 11, 2001.

Kelly, Dr. Karsakis is a neurologist at UK med center. His office is in the Kentucky Clinic across from the hospital. Does your family know how to get there, if not I can give you directions. I do not know Dr. Karsakis but I'm sure he is good. Just tell them to be prepared to be there a while, especially if it is anything like when I go there to see my back surgeon!! I am not that familiar with ALS. I never took care of a anyone with it as I worked on a floor that mostly took care of diabetics and renal patients and COPD patients (emphysema). I have had a lot of experience with feeding tubes though if you ever have any question about them.

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), December 11, 2001.

Barb-thanks so much for your offer. She has seen him before-he was the one who made the diagnosis last spring, this will be, I believe, her third time. My husbands sister lives in Lexington-so my MIL stays a few days with her-staying at a relitives home is much better than hotel, or hospital.

We went for a long time without knowing what was wrong because this disease is pretty rare. She had a feeding tube put in during July, but it never worked quite right in that she had a lot of irratation from it. She got a diffrent one in Oct. This week, they will take the tubing off and put in a "button". She's getting everything via tube now-we had a dreadful time changing meds to liquid form. Some could be crushed and mixed with water but some time release meds couldn't be crushed, and the insurance would cover some, but not others what a head ache!

The home health nurse came out and showed us (My FIL and me) how to work the pump as well as her resperator and suction machine. This has been very difficult on Anne because she was a Hospice nurse, and did not at all like another nurse telling her what to do. (Fortunantly, we have a terrific H.H.Nurse who is very understanding.) Anne dosn't like me to help her with bandages and such, but her hands have gotten so weak, she really does need help. Its really been a big adjustment on everybodys part.

-- Kelly (Ksaderholm@yahoo.com), December 11, 2001.

Kelly, I wish I lived close enough that I could give you all some relief. I know it must be hard on everyone having to take care of your MIL in this situation. People who have never been through it, don't have a clue. You are fortunate to have a nurse in the family. May God bless you all.

-- Barb in Ky (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), December 11, 2001.