Tag: ALS Progression

Paralyzed. Trached. Now what?

On By tomstroopsIn Alpha Lima Sierra1 Comment

Most everyone knows by now that the first part of 2019 SUCKED for our family. The Big He had a cold in January which started us off to a really crappy new year. All said and done over 40 days spent in ICU.

The insult to his body after all of this was an increase in the progression of this cruel disease. Where prior to the cold he could stand and transfer on his own, he no longer can. He was able to use his left hand and arm and now he is paralyzed. He was eating and drinking and now he is fed through a tube in his stomach. The fear of how the Big He would adjust was like a thick cloud in the house. He was quick to anger and wanted to do nothing but lay in bed. It was almost 2 weeks after he got home that he had the motivation and energy to get out of bed. Since then he is now out of bed several times a day, gets in his wheelchair and we have even made it out of the house.

But now what?

Well, let me tell you. The Big He has been learning and playing with new software on his surface pro with eye-gaze technology. He is learning Photoshop and Light Room. He is taking all the pictures from our post diagnosis bucket list trips and playing with them more.

All of this to say, I am totally going to brag on my amazing husband. He has pulled himself through the muck of pneumonia, trach surgery and sepsis and is finding his happy (besides the Little He and I) which is Photography.

He has always loved photography but with work, family and the million things that need to be done he never was able to find the time. That is until the diagnosis. He got himself a new camera and we began our Bucket List adventures. Our adventures have taken us to Washington DC, Bora Bora, Tahiti, Hawaii, Colorado, New Mexico and of course all over Texas. We will be able to use these beautiful pictures as a way to remember.

You can now find some of his photos on Fine Art America.com

These pictures mean more than just a wonderful adventure. They were edited by the Big He using only his eyes. Since he is still getting comfortable using the eye-gaze the time it takes him to work on a photo is lengthy. These photos are the beginning of a new Chapter. He is working with his cousin to get his camera mounted to the wheelchair so he an operate it hands free. We will continue to be able to see the world through the Big He’s eyes which will keep our memories alive forever.

April 2019

All my love,

The She

Storm is coming…

On By tomstroopsIn Alpha Lima Sierra, ALS Caregiving, Day-to-Day1 Comment

This phrase, Storm is coming, in my family is actually my Daddy’s way of getting rid of all the kids. Even when the sky is absent of any clouds, when we hear Storm is coming, we start packing up to head home.

Tonight, that phrase popped into my head but for a completely different reason. That reason, Alpha Lima Sierra. Tonight, we are in Houston because The Big He has ALS clinic tomorrow. For those not in the ALS know, Clinic is an all day event. You meet with a Neurologist, Pulmonologist, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition, the wheelchair vendor, and various others that do research into this disease. For many, going to clinic means hearing how much you have progressed. There is no rehabilitation for this disease. Most pray for a plateau in their progression but for many this doesn’t happen.

The storm I see heading our way is progression. Some progression is like a breeze, you feel it but there is not much to see. The storm of progression that is approaching us will change things, will leave a path of tears and fears in its wake. The Big He is getting weaker. His ability to breath on his own is becoming harder. He is losing his ability to do those things we take for granted like standing up, eating dinner, showering, and talking. Tonight, we had to quickly figure out the transfer from wheelchair to shower seat. Unfortunately I was not able to get a room with a roll in shower. We got an accessible room with a tub and bench. The difference is HUGE when it comes down to taking a shower. He was frustrated with me, I was scared that I might drop him when I helped him get up…in a split second I was running the “what if’s” in my head and what I would nedd to do if he fell. All is fine now. He is in bed, mask on and trying to get some sleep. The drive, dinner and shower exhausted him. That’s ALS. Tonight, I felt the fear and anxiety of this upcoming storm. This next change in the progression will be drastic. It will be a huge shift for the Big He, for the whole family. He will become more dependent on others.

I hate this disease. Nothing is holding back this storm. We must just watch. We are helpless when it comes to the progression. We know all we can do is try and stand as strong as possible to withstand this storm. We also know the calm will also come. We will adjust to the changes that come. We will get back to a routine…until the next storm.

A storm is coming. I can feel and see it. Our faith and love will keep us strong.

All my love,

The She