RE: Living solo

[Guest guest]

Eva,

I also live alone. Although I have my sister, her husband and their 2

teenagers nearby. I live in a rural area and have gotten to know the local

firefighters well.

When I fell and broke my nose, I got a life alert type button that I wear 24

hours. Now when I fall I have a way to call for help. The fireman (hunks

all) respond quickly, and help pick me up, put me in my chair or help keep

me calm until the ambulance comes.

I also got the local pharmacy to deliver and open a charge account for me.

I’m lucky to have a major grocery store in the area that has online ordering

and delivery for a very small fee. They bring all the groceries in and

place them on the counter. The local small grocery would deliver if I

needed but for now my sister and niece will pick up anything, I need. I’m

speech impaired so I email or fax doctors, pharmacy, hairdresser and

businesses. I have my sister call if necessary.

At the time I fell and broke my nose, I had just started to use a walker

part time. The fall was the wake up call to stop fooling myself and use the

walker fulltime. When I found myself resting most of the day away because

walking with a walker was to tiring, I switched to the wheelchair. Now I’m

in an electric wheelchair. I now have the freedom to leave the house

safely, get my newspaper at the end of the drive, go for a ‘walk’ with the

dog, come and go from my sisters when I want to and have energy to be up

normal daytime hours.

I ask for help a lot more than I ever imagined I was capable of doing. I've

lived alone all my adult life, working and traveling around the world. My

neurologist in 2001 said when the symptoms interfere with my life events,

when I stop participating or fear doing what I need to do, then it’s time to

discuss with my doctors, sisters, friends, etc. techniques, medications,

aides, and any options that will help. To fight the PLS symptoms without

help is like trying to fight the wind, all swirling and wasted energy. I’ve

tapped the ALS Assn to help me pay for a bath swivel chair, the MDA for help

paying for a talking laptop, the mount for attaching the laptop to the

wheelchair, respite care grants, a local agency has me on a list to remodel

my bathroom with a roll in shower at no charge to me, I have 2 agencies that

will help with respite care grants to assist with the cost of having an

agency caregiver come in 3 days a week, Medicare pays whatever they allow,

and a discount drug plan.

Keep up the fight, Eva. Living alone poses challenges but you can do it.

Lynn (Forestville)

Living solo

My son left for college a week ago. He refused to do some chore I

knew were risky for me. So I sobbed for an afternoon and make myself

sick - infectious bronchitis. I either take my medicine and sleep or

cough until my brain rattles in the skull.

Finally yesterday I made it out to the store. I decided I should

pace myself and work a little in the yard.

I was bringing the stuff to put away. One minute I was walking.

Then next I was feeling my nose break off my skull as I plowed face

first into the driveway. Blood gushing everywhere. I got to a

bathroom and had to reposition my nose..lots of shattered bone and

cartilidge. Drove to the ER and then back home. All they did was do

a CT to assure no stroke and then a tetanus shot.

Guess I better improve on being alone HUH?

Eva in WV

[Guest guest]

Eva, OUCH, that must have really hurt. I have had my falls but not any on the

nose. I bet that really hurts. Lynn had some very good advice on the medic

alert, if you call your hospital they should be able to help you out, since you

are alone now it might just be a good idea to check into it. Where we live you

can either get one as a necklace or a bracelet.

It has to be so hard seeing your son go to college. I have told my youngest

jokeingly that I am going to tie him up and not let him move out. I will be like

you and cry my eyes out and probably get sick. He is my baby boy, and at 17 I

know it will be coming soon.

I am very thankful that you didnt hurt yourself worse than you did.

Take care and God bless, Sandy

Living solo

My son left for college a week ago. He refused to do some chore I

knew were risky for me. So I sobbed for an afternoon and make myself

sick - infectious bronchitis. I either take my medicine and sleep or

cough until my brain rattles in the skull.

Finally yesterday I made it out to the store. I decided I should

pace myself and work a little in the yard.

I was bringing the stuff to put away. One minute I was walking.

Then next I was feeling my nose break off my skull as I plowed face

first into the driveway. Blood gushing everywhere. I got to a

bathroom and had to reposition my nose..lots of shattered bone and

cartilidge. Drove to the ER and then back home. All they did was do

a CT to assure no stroke and then a tetanus shot.

Guess I better improve on being alone HUH?

Eva in WV

[Guest guest]

Eva, I am so sorry to hear what happened to you!! Your description of

your nose hitting the pavement made my eyes water. It must be very

hard for you living alone and i know what kids are like. Something

that you and i have talked about. Remember?? Your son and my

daughter could be two peas in a pod. You helped me in my time of need

and all i can say to you is to take it slow and easy and maybe also to

get in home care to help you out. A friend of mine who has MS and who

will be living alone soon too, said to me, that she was not averse to

strangers helping her, when i asked how she would cope. You might want

to think about that also.

I hope your nose is better soon and that things in general get better

all round for you.

Hugs

Maureen in Sydney

> My son left for college a week ago. He refused to do some chore I

> knew were risky for me. So I sobbed for an afternoon and make myself

> sick - infectious bronchitis. I either take my medicine and sleep or

> cough until my brain rattles in the skull.

> Finally yesterday I made it out to the store. I decided I should

> pace myself and work a little in the yard.

>

> I was bringing the stuff to put away. One minute I was walking.

> Then next I was feeling my nose break off my skull as I plowed face

> first into the driveway. Blood gushing everywhere. I got to a

> bathroom and had to reposition my nose..lots of shattered bone and

> cartilidge. Drove to the ER and then back home. All they did was do

> a CT to assure no stroke and then a tetanus shot.

>

> Guess I better improve on being alone HUH?

> Eva in WV