Precious Time

Tuesday, 6 June 2006

Today, my dad had a physical check up with the doctor and the results show that ALS is declining his body further onto the next stage. The doctors have been having difficulty drawing blood from him as they can't find his veins or his arteries due to his muscles atrophying. His circulation has been poor for over a year now. He had little fainting spells at the doctor's this past week and today from the needle adventures (a sign of the "poor Mau constitutions" as well, a family thing I'm afraid.) But, they needed the blood sample from his arteries to measure the amount of oxygen going to his heart. So, the doctor was persistent, trying to find his artery and eventually was successful.

Due to his respiratory ailments, it is now time to get additional devices. The speech therapist is ordering a computer/speech device using a head and eye piece so that he can operate a computer and surf the internet. She will also order a telephone that is voice operated since he has not been able to answer the phone or depress buttons on his own for quite some time now.

In January 2005, his oxygen level was 85%. As of today, his oxygen level has declined to 35%, which accounts for his more winded breathing, taking deeper breaths, and his softer voice. The pulmonologist has been alerted, and now, they will order a Bi-Pap machine to assist him with oxygen intake during sleep, and do a sleep test at the hospital to further measure his oxygen levels when he sleeps. He will also be able to use the Bi-Pap machine during the day if he needs help with oxygen intake. But, if he uses the machine for 18 hours or more daily, he will need to consider whether or not he wants to take it to the next stage and go on a ventilator.

The doctors cannot predict how long the next step will take, as each ALS patient's body takes on the symptoms at different rates. All they have ever been able to tell us is that he is going at an average rate.

As of now, my dad's request is to not have any assistive devices, so only time will tell. And, time is of the essence.