He got diagnosed last december, but hes been showing symptoms for at least a year earlier...
The meaning of this thread, is I was hoping I could meet people who's parents, siblings, or friends have it as well- I want to be able to talk to someone around my age, who understands what i'm going through.
[I'm a teenager] Whenever I get upset, I can't talk to my mom, because she can barely handle it herself- and my friends just don't understand, and then it becomes awkward to talk about. Its even worse when my friends say they understand, because they really don't understand how horrible this disease is.
I don't want to feel like I can't talk to anyone anymore.
My dad is a very proud man, so whenever I can't understand what he says, or whenever I do something wrong he asked me to do, he always yells and gets very angry.
The following 2 users give hugs of support to: Dreamyth KatBaskin (11-10-2010), rayswife (03-27-2011)
I feel for you. I do understand. This is the worst disease for the patient and the family. I'm not a teenager so I can't relate to that but I understand your fears and frustrations. My mom was diagnosed June 09' and passed away Jan of this year. She only had the disease 10 months and declined very rapidly. She first lost use of her arms, then legs. I'm her 38 year old daughter. I work full time and have a family, kids 9 and 5. I had to move away from home to care for my mom. I also had to quit working.
Your dad's anger can be caused by the disease but also he probably has extreme fear and frustration. Just like you are experiencing. It's difficult because you want to spend quality time with him, but nothing is normal.
I read your post and just really feel for you. I feel for every family dealing with this horrible diagnosis. Please know that you can continue to post hear. Also, I would seriously consider some counseling. It helps tremendously to be able to talk about this. Keeping inside only adds more stress and harm to your own health. You will have lots of emotions to deal with now and down the road. BTW, my father died from lung cancer when I was a sophmore in high school. So I have that experience from my past, too. Hang in there Use any resource you are comfortable with.
I feel for you. I do understand. This is the worst disease for the patient and the family. I'm not a teenager so I can't relate to that but I understand your fears and frustrations. My mom was diagnosed June 09' and passed away Jan of this year. She only had the disease 10 months and declined very rapidly. She first lost use of her arms, then legs. I'm her 38 year old daughter. I work full time and have a family, kids 9 and 5. I had to move away from home to care for my mom. I also had to quit working.
Your dad's anger can be caused by the disease but also he probably has extreme fear and frustration. Just like you are experiencing. It's difficult because you want to spend quality time with him, but nothing is normal.
I read your post and just really feel for you. I feel for every family dealing with this horrible diagnosis. Please know that you can continue to post hear. Also, I would seriously consider some counseling. It helps tremendously to be able to talk about this. Keeping inside only adds more stress and harm to your own health. You will have lots of emotions to deal with now and down the road. BTW, my father died from lung cancer when I was a sophmore in high school. So I have that experience from my past, too. Hang in there Use any resource you are comfortable with.
Thank you- your comment made me feel better. I'm sorry to hear the loss of your mom and dad :[ I would go to counseling- but I don't have the time with school activities coming back, nor money. I would use the school guidance counselor, but the one time I went there I ended up bawling, and she looked at me like I was a freak, and didn't talk.
Our guidance counselors stink x3;;; thank you, again though- I really appreciate your feedback and advice.
I'm so sorry. My dad was diagnosed with ALS when he was 36 and passed when he was almost 40. I was 17 when he passed, my sister was 14 and my brother 12.
We all dealt with it in different ways. I would sit with my dad and watch TV with him, but then sometimes I'd get mad. Maybe I was mad he was leaving, I don't know if that's why I was that way. I was a teen and it was hard to be a teen let alone having your father be terminally ill.
I didn't open up to anyone. My mom took me to a counselor but I wouldn't say a word lol.
I didn't mention anything at school.
It's good that you are looking to talk about it. Do you go to church and have someone there to talk to? Maybe you can find a support group to attend.
If you need to talk feel free to send me a message!
My dad has ALS 
Use any resource you are comfortable with.
