the ex has ALS
 

Man what a gut punch. She showed up at Thanksgiving dinner using a walker and barely able to speak above a whisper. She told our kids three weeks ago about the diagnosis but she must have known for awhile because her condition now is so poor. No way it progressed that quickly.

My kids are just gutted by this. First their half sister is born with ataxic CP, then I get my SCI now this. Yeah you're supposed to bury your parents but she is only 59 yo.

I am glad that she and I buried the hatchet years ago. More so since I can be there for my son and daughter. Still trying to sort out my feelings. But I know this...I'm not deferring any chance for moments of joy.

There it is, in context, the best line ever.

Be happy, Flat, you are a must read for me here.

Best.

Sorry to hear. A buddy of mine had the exact circumstance with his ex. He stepped it up big time all the way through for his family.

Not something I'd wish on anybody.

Yes it did. It's the glass coffin.

I had a meeting with someone afflicted and she was vibrant and alive. Her hands were a little curled but mostly functional and she could semi-type and use a phone. After and hour she said 'we are done today' and quickly passed out. Her energy level reached a cliffside and that was it. Drinking was a problem early on and thicker substances were better.
A few weeks later, she was almost fully paralyzed.

I'm guessing a lot of these neurological diseases including the dementias will be traced back to environmental sources:
Heavy metal pollution, constant electrical fields, vaccines, farming hormones/antibiotics/etc, or most likely the genetic poisons Monsanto is designing directly into their monolithic grain crops.
Statistics will find them dis-associated to pure genealogy.

Sad story about a H.S. friend who has Parkinson's and now in a facility along with his wife. He was State champ for wrestling in his weight class in H.S. & went on to achieve a high position with Bechtel. She was a cheer leader in H.S. The wife suffered an allergy related episode years ago leaving her impaired because of lack of oxygen. He is now reported to be mostly unresponsive. Apparently he tried to suffocate his wife with a pillow some time back, no doubt trying to prevent her having a poor end to her life.

Neighbor and his wife separated a few years ago.......... she had gotten mean spirited and bitter, full of hate for him, despite a great life, several homes, high end cars, vacations, plenty of discretionary cash and two really great kids in college.

She moved out to a flat of her own in the big city.............. expensive.

6 months later she is diagnosed with brain cancer........ has surgery, loses a ot of command and control functions, voluntary and involuntary.

He takes her back, nurses her back to stable health and per his latest report, though still sight impaired on one side, is "thriving".

What a roller coaster..............

What a great philosophy for life. I am sorry about your troubles, and I thank you for that reminder of what's important in life.

I am so sorry for your ex.

I don't even have kids with my third. But she is closer to me than one and two. Was at hospital two years ago after her Mom stroked out and they pulled the plug. Bawled like a baby. Long divorced.

So sorry. At least it was fast for me/her. Hang in there, brother.

I found out my ex wife had a brain tumor. I know I shared it here, but her surgery ironically erased many memories of her current husband and she still remembered me.

Weird? yes. But it really puts things in perspective. Fortunately she is still here and we are good friends.

Sorry to hear this. I read "Until I Say Goodbye" and I think the advice was to have the kids tested. Might not always be the cause but best to be safe...

This ^^^

My mom had early onset when she passed. Most terrible disease...

A friend’s older brother had ALS. He was a Porsche fan but never owned one, though he certainly could have afforded to buy a new Turbo for cash. Before things got too debilitating, I loaned them my Slantnose Turbo for a summer evening. My friend drove, his brother was already unable to drive at this point.

They rode it hard and had a great time.

I have no regrets loaning it to them, it was a major highlight for both of them.

Well it's been a year and today my kids had to put their Mom into hospice care.


This is her back when we skied the ADK high peaks

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544244057.jpg



and when the story started


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544244367.jpg



this is going to be a tough holiday for my son and daughter.

Love the ski/backpack photo.
Sorry to hear of her difficulties.

We were all young once. Thanks for sharing and best wishes to your family. Nobody said it would be easy and guarantee for most it wont be.

So sorry to hear. Best wishes to you, her and your family. I hope that she’s comfortable and at peace. I don’t know what else to say. Please stay strong and reach out to friends here or elsewhere as needed. Sending positive vibes your way!

Just to pile on....tough to read, but I share everyone's perspective of you. The last line of your post is indeed epic. Take care flatt...

All the best to you and your family. It's great that you can deal with this as a family and you all got along well. My ex and I have been divorced for 10+ years now and have a good relationship. Our kids really appreciate it. Good for you for making them a priority.

I'm glad you and your ex are in a good place for the kids and for her sake under the circumstances.

Thanks man. We reconciled years ago when the grandkids came along.

just got the call
 

Well she passed away this morning at 05:30. Our son and daughter have been with her every day after work and have had ample time to say goodbye.

I am surprised at how much this has saddened me. This was a horrible way to go. And anything that hurts my kids angers me. But I also have to say goodbye to she who once loved me. Again.

Maybe I should add this to the "growing old sucks" thread.

The fact that growing old means losing people. It also means that it gets harder to fill in those fewer and fewer blank pages that lie before us. Those blank pages that we filled with our dreams and hopes and triumphs and failures when we were younger.

Her legacy is full of hopes and dreams and people who will fill their pages due in part to the lessons she taught them.

As for me I choose to remember her as the mother of our children and as she who once loved me. And the best back packing partner I ever had!

RIP Sue

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544888320.jpg

Flatt, May she RIP. Best wishes during these tough times to you and your family.

That's a great pic of you two and your kid, Flatt!

Very sorry for your loss and wishing you peace, brother....

Peace to you Flatt. This is a very touching, and thought provoking, thread.

Flatt....my condolences to you brother. That other thread made me smile....and was posted during this ordeal too. You sir...well, I can't find the words...I'll go with class and respect. Be well...

RIP ex-Ms. Flatt.

You're a good man Tom, and a great father to your kids. My condolences and prayers that you all make it through this tough time and are able to have some happiness and joy for the grandkids in this holiday season.

Thanks for the kind words guys. The other thread came to mind as a "count your blessings" kind of thing. Didn't think I'd react as strongly as I did.

Sorry to read this...ALS is a terrible disease.

Peace to you and you children.

Consider this the beginning of your family to heal the wounds left by this tradgedy . I wish you and your children the best . And you can always cherish the good memories . Try to have a Merry Christmas and spend some quality time with them .

I'm sorry to hear of her decreasing health and passing as well.

When you spend a longtime with somebody and especially when she was the mother of your children her passing must be tough especially at her young age. RIP.

Your children will find it tough in the next while and I am sure you will be there for them.

Sorry for your loss, I just recently lost a life long friend , who was only in his early 40s, he left a huge hole.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1544914344.jpg

Very nice thoughts.

I am so sorry for your loss.

We are sorry to hear the news but at the same time thankful you posted. This reality is unavoidable and should be in our conscious. I hope you and kids find some sort of peace is all of this, but also know that it's normal to feel broken at the same time. Peace to you man.

Sorry for your loss.