Continuing the beginning of this disaster…

Pittsburgh-

You should know that a lot of the details have been forgotten because it has been several months since these happenings.

Sometime between mid-January and mid-February: We met with Dr. Clemens at the VA hospital for neurology. It was around this time that a cane/”walking stick” (as we like to call it, so it is not so old-man-sounding) was gifted to Tim so he started using it to get around. (Bill from Avenue 209 Coffeehouse gave Tim the walking stick after Lock Haven’s student theatrical production of Sherlock Holmes.) Dr. Clemens performed the same strength test that Kathryn Wilt did, only a bit more detailed and took notes. She said there was definitely something wrong. She thought it was a muscular deterioration. For some reason, Tim’s muscles were breaking down. She ordered blood work and wanted to see him again on our son Grove’s birthday in Pittsburgh. She wanted a fellow neurologist to confirm Tim’s symptoms.

 

Pulmonary function test

Tim had a pulmonary function test in Altoona. Later, when Dr. Clemens reviewed the results, she thought that the results appeared to be inaccurate, so she ordered another pulmonary function test—this time, in Pittsburgh. A week or so later, a nurse called regarding the results. Tim has moderate COPD; that is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Breathing issues are common in ALS patients.

 

Sleep study

Kathryn (Tim’s nurse from State College) gave Tim a referral to have a sleep study in Pittsburgh. The sleep study was conducted on March 26^th. A little more than a week later, Tim was contacted with the results. No problems were present. Maybe Tim’s difficulty sleeping is named Grove. Or the apartment’s paper-thin walls, loud neighbors, and four dogs next door. Or the train.

 

As Tim loses his ability to walk, Grove is learning to walk better and better.

Tim wants to be useful, but as he loses his strength, especially in his hands and feet, he needs to be more conscious of his own safety.

Tim’s voice has been cracking lately. Sometimes it sounds raspy. He complains of a sore throat after singing only a few worship songs on Sunday. Many patients with ALS eventually lose their ability to speak, so we are worried that his voice may be beginning to go.