Back to reality =-(

I like vacation. I like vacation a lot. I do not like returning from vacation. The things that would normally have been done during vacation sit waiting for you like nasty little gremlins, waiting to erase the relaxation and good feelings. Sigh.

Yesterday Glen had two appointments. The first was with his Occupational/Hand therapist. She's very sweet, and truly wants the best for Glen, but I fear we (meaning me) need to talk to her again about the realities of ALS... Glen is NOT going to get stronger, or rebuild the muscles in his hands. The number of exercises she gives him simply serve to tire him out, and I think are beginning to frustrate him also. I've noticed he doesn't really talk to her but turns to me to answer questions. I asked him this morning if he felt he was getting any benefit from the appointments or if they were just exhausting and he said "they just tire me out." Huge concession, but lets me know what I need to do.

Second appointment was with Belen, the speech/language pathologist. Told her water was a constant issue now and she said we need to be using a thickener, or he needs to be drinking things like smoothies that are naturally thicker. Found Thickit at Walgreen's.. who knew!? Mixed it into his Starbucks Iced Tea, and he actually finished about 2/3 of a venti. With some nagging we might start getting enough fluids into him. She also gave him a nice lecture about pizza... that either he slows down when eating it, or yes.. I am to cut it into little tiny pieces. According to Kevin, Glen ate very slowly and carefully last night. (I was at dog training class, then out to dinner with our trainer. An actual evening off. Ahhhhh.)

Today was physical therapy. Laura "gets it." She spent the full hour stretching out his shoulders and hips. I mentioned to her that while we were at Disney, we felt there was a change in his gait. She checked his hips and both were stiff, one noticeably stiffer and tighter than the other. She said some of it might be just overuse issues from vacation, but that it would be a while before we could tell if it was that or progression of symptoms.. it's probably a bit of both.

Managed to not schedule any appointments for a couple of weeks. Next set will be with the respiratory therapist to see if some breathing assistance during the night might help Glen's sleep and therefor help increase his energy during the day.

Oh, and while we were gone the letter from UCSF came confirming the ALS with FTD diagnosis. No big surprise there.

Guessing y'all are wondering about those pictures huh? I need to pay bills this weekend but will try to get to work on the photos also.

And now for your homework assignment.. an article from "Neurology Now." Yes. I read articles ALS friends send me from Neurology Now. Weird, I realize. I used to read beading magazines. Anyway: Fight Smart, Not Just Hard Short read, but very worthwhile.