Tag Archives: a.l.s.
My mom’s voice
I haven’t heard my mom’s voice since just after Christmas 2006. She slurred her words starting in January and used a Dynavox starting in July. Those sounds have replaced my memories of her voice. I couldn’t remember it. Called Dad’s … Continue reading
Dynavox
I barely remember mom’s voice. The last time she tried to talk to me was over the phone after a family vacation to Ocean Shores. I left a day early because Erin needed to get back to work. On the … Continue reading
Bulbar onset
The two most famous cases of A.L.S. are that of Lou Gehrig and Stephen Hawking. Stephen Hawking’s illness is somewhat atypical for A.L.S., in that most patients with the disease have a lifespan of 2 to 5 years after diagnosis. … Continue reading
ALSA Evergreen Chapter
Mom asked that if folks want to donate money the appropriate donee would be the ALSA Evergreen Chapter: http://webwa.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WA_homepage There’s a donation page there. Also the Walk to Defeat ALS is over, but they’ll still accept donations that way. Mom’s … Continue reading
What now?
I am okay. I am relieved. Since January, mom basically wanted just a few things and she got to do them. She saw my grandmother’s 80th birthday party. She got to see her second grandson. She out-raised by far everyone … Continue reading
What happened
Mom agreed last week to start taking morphine if the doctor and hospice could put together a drug cocktail that would limit the side effect of stomach cramps and itching. With the use of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, that shouldn’t be a … Continue reading
Dorinda Lou Bender
November 24, 1948 – October 15, 2008
Last days
I will be mostly offline for the next few days. I don’t really know what to write here. Mom does not have long to live and I’ve probably heard my last communication from her. She took a turn for the … Continue reading
Walk to Defeat ALS
Well, mom’s team broke $10,000 in this year’s Walk to Defeat ALS. Thank you to Deirdre, Tara and Amber for reposting my donation pitch. Thank you to Erin for coming up to the walk. Thank you to the people who … Continue reading