IT's July,with Alice

Well, Alice is doing well the last weeks of June...We had a slight problem with on of her doctors...Actually it was the Doctor who sent her to the University of Penn for the confirmation of ALS. He basicly said to us that he desn't agree with U of Penn doctors. That was a very challenging week, Let me Tell you... But we have a confirmed all three area and she does have ALS and FTLD... YEsterday was our first day at the ALS Clinic at the University of Penn... I can truely say that my mother is in the best of hands... they were all wonderful and so helpful... I highly recommend being involved in a clinic dealing with ALS...I have to admit that i have been very scared being my mothers caregiver...I would do anything for her but is everything the right thing for her...After speaking with the team of doctors and nurses, I have a better picture of what i need to do for her... I learned so much about als yesterday my mind is still trying to process it still 24 hours later...Like I understood that everyone's als strats differently but what i didn't realize that some progress more quickly than others and not all moter skill can be effectived...for instance, i thought that everyone with ALS eventually losses the ability to speak...I was wrong...And that if you excercise a group of muscles that are week due to the als that you can actual speed of the process by working them out. stretching is a good thing...I still have many concerns dealing with the FTLD, I am finding that a strick routine works best...Alice, my mother, without routine becames so opessed with unneccessary things, like windows that need be cleen, or trash, or about global warming...

      I think one of the most difficult thing to get her to do is drink Fluids, She has become very stubborn about htis...I realize that part of the reason for this is the getting up to goto the bathroom, We have redesigned the bathroom in every area to suit her needs... I have changed her coffee to decaf so she can get some fluids in her... This is a challenge if anyone can give any ideas i would love to here them....ttyl