One year on
Well it’s a year since we came back from China. We haven’t updated till now so as to see how things would work out after the treatment. The improvement during the treatment and for a few months afterwards continued but swallowing and weight losses became worse. We reached a stage by June this year where Shelagh’s weight had dropped down to 41.5Kg., a dangerous level. That same month Shelagh caught pneumonia and ended up in hospital where for the first couple of days had a 50/50 chance of survival. A slow recovery followed during which time feeding was administered through a tube into the tummy via her nose. Ten days later an operation for a ‘PEG’ was done and since early July Shelagh has and is receiving food only through a tube directly into her stomach. Her weight has climbed very slowly up to 47.0Kg. At the same time her breathing has become shallow. We have a Catch 22 situation between increasing weight and strain on the body because of muscle loss. When we get out and about Shelagh is in a wheelchair, not having the strength to wheel herself. We receive assistance from various organisations in the areas of domiciliarycare, home help and equipment to ease her condition. Following a Report from Italy, (last April), of a trial with ALS patients, Shelagh as well as using Riluzole, is also taking small doses of Lithium daily, which the trial claimed, slows down the onset of the disease. We don’t know if any of the various treatments over the last year and a half have slowed things down, and at the same time, obviously don’t know what would have happened had she not taken anything. We have also had tremendous support from family and friends, and we are ever mindful of their care and thoughtfulness. Bye for now.
Add comment November 2nd, 2008
