My dad, who when we were growing up wasn't always the best dad, diagnosed with ALS on 12/5/23. If you do not know what ALS is l implore you to do research.
No illness is kind but my god ALS is a beast of a terminal illness. I work in healthcare and when the doctor was giving us this diagnosis I broke down in tears right away. Knowing that I would lose my dad...not quick and peacefully as how we want our loved ones to go but rather painful and losing every part of what makes him who he is. Like I said not always the best dad growing up but he made up for it all and is my hero. He worked hard his entire life to give us everything. This disease will take his mobility, his words, his ability to speak and lastly will take away his ability to breathe. There is anger, frustration, grief and financial burden all at once. This disease is what I would call a rich man's disease. From assistive devices, adjustable beds ,power wheelchair , communication devices, diapers and so on and so on. This disease will take everything from us..monetary, dignity and finally my dad. We can recover I think from everything else but the loss of my dad..l don't know if I can! I want to scream and cry but I have to be strong for him. I have stopped my life to take care of him just like he did with us. So that means no work and no income but I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's an honor to be with my dad and take care of him in the last months of his life. Yes months.. he was given 6-12 months. It has only been 3 and they have been so hard and it scares me for the rest of his time because it will only get so much worse. I have decided that I will use my page as my own personal journal. Something I can look back at once he's gone. I hope I'm able to help someone know they are not alone in the process.
