Living with ALS

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 3:02:36 PM)
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Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 3:08:15 PM)
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Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 3:09:30 PM)
(This user has entered Living with ALS)

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 3:47:28 PM)
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westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 3:47:46 PM)
Hi Jim ... its been a while

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 3:48:37 PM)
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Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:05:32 PM)
(This user has entered Living with ALS)

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:05:54 PM)
hi Jim

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:06:14 PM)
Hello... You logged off right as I came on.

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:06:38 PM)
got zapped

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:06:55 PM)
Anything new? I have been meaning to attend but busy at work. I went to the ALS-TDI research seminar in Boston. I was interesting.

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:07:25 PM)
just now got back on

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:07:52 PM)
i bet it was

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:08:30 PM)
I found the most interesting thing was a presentation from the Stem Cell Institute in CA. They damaged a mouse spinal cord, grew some neuron cells, inserted them in the damaged section and the mouse could walk agian.

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:09:25 PM)
However, I left there feeling that the researchers will be concentrating on spinal injuries before regrowing the nerves we need.

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:09:41 PM)
My vard went bad and I formatted C: so I have been down

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:10:12 PM)
interesting

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:10:46 PM)
vcard

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:12:19 PM)
We also saw a presentation on the Diaphram pacing device. I think that device will replace trach in spinal injuries people very soon. We of SOL since eventually our nerves disconnect from the muscle. There is nothing for the pacer to excite.

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:13:07 PM)
The tour of the ALS-TDI facilties was nice. I left there feeling that everyone involved is working very hard but on limited budget.

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:13:19 PM)
I got your note on adult stem cells just haven't responded

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:13:41 PM)
I thought that report was very exciting. What is your take on it?

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:14:23 PM)
yes I am glad to hear about ALDS-TDI

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:16:05 PM)
Oh I think so too as long as they don't divert funds from embryonic research

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:17:33 PM)
I read some different opinions about that discovery

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:17:42 PM)
I assume you get a flu shot but do you also get a Pneumonia shot?

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:17:58 PM)
yes

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:18:41 PM)
Have you been following the discussoin on ALSadvocacy on having a ALS day?

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:19:12 PM)
going to Florida in January

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:19:40 PM)
Vacation or the Golf event?

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:20:06 PM)
no pc has been down

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:21:00 PM)
Yesterday, they were talking about an ALS-TDI golf event in FL

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:21:13 PM)
wife bought a condo in Daytona shores

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:21:31 PM)
Are you moving then?

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:22:20 PM)
so we will go for 2 1/2 months

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:22:45 PM)
no not moving

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:23:58 PM)
what is with the advocacy days

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:24:49 PM)
Someone had an idea that we should promote a day like "World Aids Day" but for ALS

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:25:26 PM)
The discussion has ranged from having the Yankees have an event for Lou.. to the disfunctional relationship between ALSA and MDA-ALS

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:25:46 PM)
aids gets all the funding

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:26:31 PM)
I doubt that will come about

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:27:45 PM)
sort of a my turf thing

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:27:52 PM)
I think the idea was to find another way to raise awareness. My first reaction is that MDA already has Labor day locked up.

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:29:04 PM)
Oh I agree completing. Having asked both sets of support people here in Denver... "Whay don't you coordinate more with ALSA" Deer in headlights reaction

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:29:43 PM)
We have competing suport groups, loan closets, educational seminars. Its a duplication of effort and wastes money.

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:30:50 PM)
advocacy days is a nice get together for PALS butI thought it is a legislative waste

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:31:37 PM)
I believe that MDA has 4-6 in denver. While ALSA has 5.

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:31:56 PM)
oh yes I am sure of that

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:32:03 PM)
wow

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:32:13 PM)
I don't thnk the event they had in mind was for legislation

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:32:28 PM)
You don't have that many in DC area

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:32:30 PM)
?

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:33:33 PM)
oh there is a great ALSA local

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:33:53 PM)
not much MDA

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:34:23 PM)
there are many support groups

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:34:28 PM)
I find the MDA spents a lot of time and money on the MDA clinic at CU Hospital. The ALSA people are more 'practical' but 1/2 of them are involved due to family ALS death.

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:34:34 PM)
I am not into that very much

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:34:53 PM)
I assume you mean the support groups?

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:35:38 PM)
I went to support groups for a few months and found them to be too depressing. Being only 42, I felt I was in the wrong demographic for the group.

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:36:15 PM)
yes the support groups send people here

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:36:56 PM)
I don't go much

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:38:23 PM)
even some of the home medical companies send people here

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:38:23 PM)
(This user has entered Living with ALS)

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:38:38 PM)
hi Al

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:38:48 PM)
hi jim

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:38:50 PM)
Hi Al I'm jim also

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:39:10 PM)
hello jim 2

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:39:20 PM)
call me west probably easier

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:39:32 PM)
ok that works

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:40:08 PM)
how is everyone today

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:40:44 PM)
I'm doing fine but struggling through my second cold of the season.

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:40:51 PM)
I think people have too much faith in the ALS Registry

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:41:08 PM)
I don't know if Ellen told you Or myself, that I had my Thyroid Gland removed

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:41:30 PM)
great Al

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:41:44 PM)
I am not looking foward to any of those this season

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:42:11 PM)
My kids bring it home from school. Not much I can do about it.

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:42:43 PM)
I don't remember her saying that

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:42:55 PM)
I'm fairly early into my diagnosis... having a cold makes me very concerned about later.

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:44:44 PM)
well I've been off of my hormones from the Thyroid for about 2or3 mo. and just was given a scrp for them a week ago

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:45:25 PM)
my breathing now leaves me cocerned

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:45:26 PM)
I think my Dad had his Thyroid removed

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:45:55 PM)
well that will take the wind out of your sails

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:46:21 PM)
until you get the hormones so

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:46:29 PM)
I would like to treat that vest

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:46:42 PM)
i am finally getting some strength back

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:46:54 PM)
good

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:47:17 PM)
did some dishes today

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:47:33 PM)
oops

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:47:41 PM)
maybe some cooking tomorrow

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:48:29 PM)
no laundry comes next

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:48:38 PM)
oh

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:48:46 PM)
lol

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:48:55 PM)
;o)

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:49:14 PM)
;-)

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:49:40 PM)
I use to cook a lot

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:50:06 PM)
:^) I went to school for 4 years for that

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:50:21 PM)
nice

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:51:25 PM)
both me and the wife use to do cake decorating as well

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:51:26 PM)
Where are you from AL?

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:51:27 PM)
I learned the hard way

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:51:50 PM)
I'm from Ct. and live in NC

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:52:02 PM)
I grew up in Cary NC

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:52:13 PM)
Now I'm in Denver

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:52:31 PM)
NC or Col

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:52:38 PM)
Colorado

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:52:46 PM)
ok

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:52:55 PM)
Denver NC

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:53:09 PM)
thats just up the road a ways

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:53:15 PM)
we had a saying "tastes like sh-- but it's good"

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 4:53:38 PM)
Are you talking about coors?

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:53:53 PM)
my cooking

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:54:05 PM)
we had had 1 that goes looks like sh-- but tastes good

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:54:21 PM)
lol

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:54:24 PM)
lol

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:55:11 PM)
such fun

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:56:02 PM)
do you cook West

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:56:07 PM)
I did a lot of deer - venison

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:56:33 PM)
I haven't done much game cooking

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:56:44 PM)
and wild turkeys

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:56:58 PM)
rabbit and squirrel

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:57:29 PM)
not much rabbit

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:57:52 PM)
tastes like chicken

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:58:07 PM)
we parboiled squirrels

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 4:58:27 PM)
to tenderize them

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:58:33 PM)
so does the spotted owl

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:58:43 PM)
yes

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 4:59:48 PM)
honkers and ducks

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:00:21 PM)
snow geese

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:01:27 PM)
had a lot of elk too

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:14:13 PM)
got them below Pegosa Springs Jim

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:17:25 PM)
what was your specialty Al

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:17:54 PM)
Hotel reastaurant cooking

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:18:13 PM)
wow

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:18:49 PM)
I don't think I could do that

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:19:02 PM)
actually worked for a while in a night club

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:19:34 PM)
I make too much as a mess

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:20:59 PM)
as do

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:21:03 PM)
my wife worked in a night club for a while

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:21:05 PM)
i

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:21:16 PM)
lol

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:21:48 PM)
the idea is to have the help to clean up for you

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:21:57 PM)
lol

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 5:22:42 PM)
Guys I'm logging off ... have a great day - jim

westjlittle (Dec 3, 2007 5:22:44 PM)
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Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:23:11 PM)
lol my wife doesn't like to clean up after me

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:23:20 PM)
no chance to say good by

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:23:53 PM)
I think he got bored

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:24:17 PM)
na he was probably at work

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:24:41 PM)
oh he still works?

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:25:50 PM)
yes and it is probably 330 in Denver

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:26:06 PM)
yeah it would be

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:26:18 PM)
mountain time

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:27:08 PM)
he just moved into a more accessible house

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:27:58 PM)
do you know what he does for work

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:28:53 PM)
some kind of electronics systems

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:29:07 PM)
ok

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:29:32 PM)
did he say how long he had been dx

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:29:55 PM)
he said it was recent I know

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:30:49 PM)
I can't remember but about a year I think

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:31:56 PM)
you gonna be back later

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:32:23 PM)
I think that he has been coming here for about 8 months

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:33:04 PM)
then that makes me the newbe

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:33:17 PM)
yes unless I get shanghaied

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:33:27 PM)
lol

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:33:30 PM)
lol

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:34:02 PM)
we were all there once

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:34:15 PM)
yup

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:34:49 PM)
I will try to get Dick to come back

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:35:15 PM)
who is dick

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:35:29 PM)
I don't think I met him yet

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:36:12 PM)
he is in Kentucky and was a regular until a couple of months ago

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:36:40 PM)
has he taken a bad turn

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:37:11 PM)
70 and his wife is almost blind

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:37:25 PM)
I don't think so

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:37:31 PM)
oh

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:38:43 PM)
he is a slow progression

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:38:59 PM)
that is good

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:39:24 PM)
I think that he has taken on a lot of the housework

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:39:45 PM)
I can see that

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:40:00 PM)
that is tough with ALS

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:40:14 PM)
to be sure

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:40:39 PM)
he is in a wheelchair

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:41:16 PM)
that makes it a little more difficult

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:42:16 PM)
I met him at a fundraiser last year

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:43:40 PM)
we were chatting here long before the fundraiser

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:44:03 PM)
oh

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:44:55 PM)
It is interesting to meet people that you chat with

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:45:09 PM)
I agree

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:46:18 PM)
there were 5 or 6 of us there

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:46:44 PM)
me and the wife were in a chat room with some people we met doing geneology and we did some meets 3 years in arow, we keep in touch still

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:47:14 PM)
neat

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:47:59 PM)
I hope to meet some people in Florida

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:49:16 PM)
we have family there

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:50:13 PM)
there are a few PALS in the area

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:50:27 PM)
where

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:50:35 PM)
Fla

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:50:47 PM)
ah

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:51:07 PM)
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aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:51:29 PM)
(This user has entered Living with ALS)

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:51:50 PM)
well it is time to go wb

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:52:05 PM)
I was booted early

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:52:28 PM)
we still have 15 min

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:52:29 PM)
I will send dick a note

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:53:10 PM)
they don't boot uaually til 15 after

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:53:17 PM)
see if he will comeback

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:53:39 PM)
I hope to meet him

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:54:04 PM)
yes something like that

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:54:24 PM)
talk with you later I have nature calling

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:54:30 PM)
he is a good guy

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:54:46 PM)
ok see ya

Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:54:57 PM)
later

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:55:00 PM)
i will take your word for it

aeras (Dec 3, 2007 5:55:09 PM)
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Jim_VA (Dec 3, 2007 5:55:13 PM)
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