ALS care for retired police officer
Their story
My father in law served for over 30 years as a police officer in ohio and south florida. He was recently diagnosed with ALS and has lost his ability to speak and is now wheelchair-bound. He doesn't qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, SS, or long-term care, because he receives pension and hasn't worked in the last five years.
Its been a frustrating task trying to find doctors within his network and city. Every time we seem to make progress, theres obstacles.
we've been looking for any kind of in home care and other assistance. He may also need a wheel chair accessible vehicle with a lift and other accessibility equipment. He currently uses an ipad to speak through. He cannot use his right arm and leg and now hes saying he feels like his left side is getting weaker. He chokes on everything he eats and drinks and its scary to witness.
We hope you all could help in anyway. Ive never seen an illness this awful. It makes it even worse that he is only 60 years old and went from being an active person to this. I'm doing this as a last resort and he has no knowledge because he is a private person. I have no clue what this all costs, but I put that amount for now. I pray the medicine he just received works to at least slow down the progression.
Updates
Just wanted to let everyone know that Chris passed away yesterday @11:15 am at hospice.
Hi everyone,
after spending 4 1/2 months in the intermediate ICU, my father in law was sent to hospice this past Wednesday. The hospital gave us an ultimatum to get him out of there, or they would file a lawsuit against us, so we had no choice. Since he's been there, he's gone downhill really fast. More than likely may not make it past the weekend.
Hi everyone, sorry haven't updated in a while. It's been a whirlwind a few weeks.
Chris was eventually discharged from the hospital in Ocala after 2 weeks for pneumonia and was sent to a nursing home in Ft Lauderdale. He was there for about 3 weeks. Then exactly 1 month ago he was found unresponsive at the nursing home and was rushed to the hospital. We had them perform all life-saving measures because he did not want a DNR. His oxygen levels and blood pressure were critically low. One of his lungs was completely collapsed and was filled with mucus. They had to put him on a ventilator and he spent about three days in ICU. He had every machine possible keeping him alive. To be quite honest, I did not think he would survive, but thankfully he did. Those doctors and nurses at Holy Cross were absolutely amazing!
They ended up having to do a tracheostomy on him. Hes gotten accustomed to it the best he can, but still uncomfortable, and it causes him not to get a good nights sleep because it sets off an alarm anytime he chokes. He keeps having lung infections, and it keeps getting filled up with mucus. they did discharge him the other day, but we currently have nowhere to send him. Many places will not accept him because of the trach. I am going to the hospital today to speak to someone from a hospice care facility that will evaluate him, but the doctor said that he is NOT at end of life, so they may not take him.
We did find a possible place in Ohio about one hour away from his brother Michael, but of course another obstacle is transporting him there which is very expensive. If any of his close friends here would like to see him please let me know. You can text me at (954) 261-6392. It would really make him happy to see some more familiar faces.
10/8
feeding to procedure was successful and he is doing OK with it so far. Thanks so much for the donations so far.
10/6 he had a procedure to have a feeding tube put in. He will be in the hospital for a month. We are working on trying to get him transferred down here closer to us so he is not by himself. We have a 4 month old baby and its hard to go back and forth to visit him in ocala.
Wall of support
Donations & Comments
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Such a wonderful human being. We love you good friend
Praying for you and your family Chris.
Saying a prayer for you, brother. Im so terribly sorry you are going through this.
Chris, our thoughts are with you and your family.
Please know that there are lots of people praying for your father-in-law and your family. I have an adult son with special needs and was the caretaker for my father when he lost his battle with Alzheimer's. I hope that these funds will be of assistance to your father-in-law. Taking care of an infant and a parent with failing health is not easy.
Reply from Mike Lachmanen3 years agoThank you so much!
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Stay strong Chris. We love you.