Message From Courtney...

On March 1, 2006, Mom had an appointment at Virginia Mason in Seattle.  My Dad and I went along with her.  It was an all-day appointment with the ALS Clinic - where she saw everyone from speech therapists, her regular MD, respiratory therapists to a psychologist.  It was a long day, but very helpful. 

Right now, her only two symptoms remain her speech, which her therapists refer to as a mild slur and weakened left hand and forearm.  We didn’t learn anymore about if her progression is going fast or slow. Her doctor (John Ravits) couldn’t notice any change in her progression from her December 2005 appointment.  He did indicate that if this all really did start in September 2005, then her progression is fast.  However, he has no way of knowing that for sure at this point – he said we will all know more in the next three to six months.  So, we are all hoping that it really started much longer before.  (Note: ALS is a progressive disease, but it tends to remain at the same rate of progression – so – if it starts slow it usually continues to progress slowly and vice versa).

So, basically the big stuff is she needs to make sure she is eating well.  And the good news is she gets to eat whatever she wants, but it needs to have nutritional value.  No skipping dinners or just eating cereal at night.  Dad needs to help out more with meals and my Grandma and I will be helping more by providing meals to be frozen and reheated.  So, if you ever want to go out to dinner and eat good food – this is the woman to call!

We had dinner that night with my college friend Jen (best known as OJ) and cousin, Salina.  OJ is organizing a trip to take my Mom to Peru for two weeks with her this July (more details to come).  Also, my Mom’s friends from Bunko are trying to make it possible for my parents to tour all the US states in a motor home – something my Mom has always wanted to do.

Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.  We appreciate everyone’s support.