As Real as it Gets

Pixabay Public Domain Image
@akalinus (43366)
United States
May 19, 2016 1:59pm CST
This morning, I found out that a long time friend is going into hospice. I have known her since she was a little girl. She is now a mom with a six year old boy. She has fought ALS for the last two or three years. She has an inherited type. We watched her dad die from this awful scourge. I was just devastated when she emailed me and said that she was having trouble walking and they suspected she had it. She wants to spend the rest of her time with her son and husband. My heart is broken. This is as real as it gets.
10 people like this
10 responses
• United States
19 May 16
I have had a few clients who have had this disease. One lady lived quite a while with it. She was nearly 90 when she passed. Sad to see them go through it.
2 people like this
• United States
19 May 16
@akalinus horrible disease. I send a big hug to you.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
19 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly Thank you, I will send it to her.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
19 May 16
She is one of the younger ones. I think the familial type goes faster. I fear for the son, hope he will not develop it in adulthood.
2 people like this
• India
19 May 16
Tragic! its so terrible...well we cannot change or see whats going to happen but i pray to lord to give them all strength and endurance to face this
2 people like this
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
19 May 16
That is all we can do. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
20 May 16
How awful for you and her family to have to go through. This is an awful thing to go through, sorry for this.
1 person likes this
• Romania
19 May 16
I'm sorry for youre friend. It's terrible enen when you thinck of that but to be in here place. I don't want to thinck of his husband who knows that he will remain without here...and she...how must she suffer when she thinck's to here child that he won't be beside him when he will grow...when he will get married...it's absolutly terrible.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
19 May 16
Thanks, it is heartbreaking that she has to leave her son.
• Romania
19 May 16
@akalinus not only...the fact that she knows what will hapen with here...nobody must be in here place. I'm verry sorry for here. I wish all the best and hope that the diagnostick not to be true and God macke a miracle with here for here son.
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
19 May 16
@pufitzamison I have prayed for a miracle too. The diagnosis is true. She has been in research projects and even went to a center in Boston to give DNA samples. Her case is genetic. It is a defective gene passed on to her by her father.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154130)
• Canada
19 May 16
This is so very sad.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
19 May 16
Yes, it does not get much worse than that.
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
19 May 16
That`s so sad, hospice is so final and one never have hope of coming back alive.What is ALS? My heart goes to your friend
1 person likes this
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
19 May 16
It is a degenerative neurological disease that never improves. The patient gets weaker and more helpless until they die. Their brain is not affected and they know what is happening to them. Here is a link for anyone who wants more information.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
19 May 16
@miniam It is sad and I agree with your word choice.
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
19 May 16
@akalinus Sh** sad really.Thanks for the link
@Teep11 (7673)
• United States
19 May 16
Spending time with her son and husband will help her through such a tough time. Prayers for your friend and her family. She will need all the support that she can get.
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
19 May 16
That is the good thing. The prayers and help of everyone goes with her. I guess love is not enough in this case.
@jstory07 (140085)
• Roseburg, Oregon
20 May 16
That is really sad news for her.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 May 16
So sorry about your friend, the more so because she has a little boy. What's ALS?
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
20 May 16
I'm SO sorry about this. You're right, it's heartbreaking. That little boy will be devastated.
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
20 May 16
They put a picture of him after they told him what would happen. Yeah, he will be.