Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with als

How do I prepare for the death of my mother?

unlucky.lisp — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:51:07 -0800

how do i prepare for the death of my mother?... for which i am completely, utterly, unprepared.... more inside... my mother has been diagnosed with ALS (lou gehrig's disease) -- and yes, there has been a second opinion. it's a pretty firm diagnosis. in addition, she has four herniated discs in her back and neck, so life is kind of sucking for her right now, and, obviously, will get much worse.

she's in early to mid-stages -- so we've got time left, death is not imminent -- but i am a WRECK.

before you ask -- yes i am in therapy.

but i'm wondering if you fellow mefites have good suggestions for books or other materials that might be good for me in dealing with preparing for her death -- for being able to be strong through this long process. how to cope and maintain through possibly years of degeneration -- how to find the joy in all this, when right now, all i see is pain and death and loss.

thanks for any help you might be able to offer...

Resources and Support for ALS

jabberjaw — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:59:31 -0800

My father was recently diagnosed with ALS. I could use your help, particularly if you have personal experience with it. After decades of smoking, it figures my dad would come down with a non-smoking related disease. He is in the early stages of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, AKA Lou Gehrig's Disease). Prior to his diagnosis, I had a cursory knowledge of ALS, most of it carried over from the movie The Pride of the Yankees. I didn't even know Steven Hawking had ALS. Today, my pops can still walk and talk, although the quality of both is deteriorating.

What resources, internet and otherwise, are available? Any suggestions on what we can do to prepare; particularly what aspects we should focus on? Any thoughts on support groups - medical, emotional or otherwise? Literature? Movies?

I'd prefer responses from those of you have personal experience with this disease, how to cope, but if your Google-fu is more powerful than mine, then links are also appreciated. We are located in SoCal. MeFi Mail if you would prefer private communications.

God I love my old man.

Thanks.

Which musicians and bands care about ALS?

Sfving — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:02:47 -0800

I'm producing a benefit concert, to fight ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Do you know any bands or labels that might be interested in the cause? Maybe with a loved one with ALS? We're assembling a 1600-people show in Omaha, Nebraska.

Can Stephen Hawking have sex?

gelcap — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 13:17:23 -0800

Can Stephen Hawking have sex? Help me settle a drunken bet. I have staked $100 on my belief that while physicist Stephen Hawking is one of the world's great thinkers, as well as pretty much the most inspiring guy around, he is not capable of penetrating and ejaculating inside a woman. You know, with his penis. Since the bet was made, about a month ago, i've been presented with various facts and theories that suggest i may be wrong. The strongest is the following:

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/31/1075340892403.html

But still, it's hardly conclusive. Does anyone have any actual information?