Guest guest Posted May 28, 2002 Report Share Posted May 28, 2002 Hi, My name is Barb Stanley and my 75 year old dad has just been diagnosed with MSA. Based on his current symptoms and medical history, it is believed he has has MSA for about 6 years. That's about the time his first fainting spells began, along with the shuffling of his feet and constipation. And now that he's been diagnosed, we're (my mom and I) reasonably sure all his many other symptoms must surely be MSA related. Complicating matters is the fact that he also has multiple myloma which was being treated with Chemo. We kept attributing his weakened condition to the Chemo, but have since learned otherwise. His oncologist was the first to suspect MSA. Since 1 May, he has gone from walking with a cane to being unable to work at all, and has trouble even sitting up by himself. Because the Chemo does make him sick, we are with holding those treatments at least for the time being. Mom and I just don't know what to expect, and since his doctor has not treated a lot of MSA patients, he doesn't know for sure either. He told us that " it's just a matter of time, " but can't say how much time. Can anyone tell us what we can expect as far as progression of the MSA. While it progressed very slowly over the first 6 years,we're concerned that if it progresses as rapidly as it has over the last month we may lose him fairly soon. Any info " you " can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Barb Stanley -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2002 Report Share Posted May 28, 2002 Jan - Thanks for the encouragement, I have a feeling it will be a long, hard battle. I'm just glad I found this support group. Regards Barb (in land) Original Message: ----------------- From: janburg88 bosendorfer88@... Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 15:56:25 -0000 To: shydrager Subject: Re: Recent Diagnosis Hi Barb, So sorry to hear about your Dad. I am relatively new to the list myself, my husband has MSA. The people here are wonderful and know much more than I and they will share their knowledge I am sure. Sounds like the chemo combined with MSA will be very difficult for your Dad. I had chemo years ago and it totally wipes you out, combine that with the other symptoms and life will be very difficult. One day at a time is my motto. I also look for at least one positive moment and always find a reason to laugh a little. My love to you and your family. Jan (Arizona) > Hi, > My name is Barb Stanley and my 75 year old dad has just been diagnosed with MSA. Based on his current symptoms and medical history, it is believed he has has MSA for about 6 years. That's about the time his first fainting spells began, along with the shuffling of his feet and constipation. And now that he's been diagnosed, we're (my mom and I) reasonably sure all his many other symptoms must surely be MSA related. Complicating matters is the fact that he also has multiple myloma which was being treated with Chemo. We kept attributing his weakened condition to the Chemo, but have since learned otherwise. His oncologist was the first to suspect MSA. Since 1 May, he has gone from walking with a cane to being unable to work at all, and has trouble even sitting up by himself. Because the Chemo does make him sick, we are with holding those treatments at least for the time being. Mom and I just don't know what to expect, and since his doctor has not treated a lot of MSA patients, he doesn't know for sure either. He told us that " it's just a matter of time, " but can't say how much time. Can anyone tell us what we can expect as far as progression of the MSA. While it progressed very slowly over the first 6 years,we're concerned that if it progresses as rapidly as it has over the last month we may lose him fairly soon. Any info " you " can provide would be greatly appreciated. > Thanks > Barb Stanley > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > mail2web - Check your email from the web at > http://mail2web.com/ . If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may unsubscribe by sending a blank email to shydrager-unsubscribe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2002 Report Share Posted May 28, 2002 Jan - Thanks for the encouragement, I have a feeling it will be a long, hard battle. I'm just glad I found this support group. Regards Barb (in land) Original Message: ----------------- From: janburg88 bosendorfer88@... Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 15:56:25 -0000 To: shydrager Subject: Re: Recent Diagnosis Hi Barb, So sorry to hear about your Dad. I am relatively new to the list myself, my husband has MSA. The people here are wonderful and know much more than I and they will share their knowledge I am sure. Sounds like the chemo combined with MSA will be very difficult for your Dad. I had chemo years ago and it totally wipes you out, combine that with the other symptoms and life will be very difficult. One day at a time is my motto. I also look for at least one positive moment and always find a reason to laugh a little. My love to you and your family. Jan (Arizona) > Hi, > My name is Barb Stanley and my 75 year old dad has just been diagnosed with MSA. Based on his current symptoms and medical history, it is believed he has has MSA for about 6 years. That's about the time his first fainting spells began, along with the shuffling of his feet and constipation. And now that he's been diagnosed, we're (my mom and I) reasonably sure all his many other symptoms must surely be MSA related. Complicating matters is the fact that he also has multiple myloma which was being treated with Chemo. We kept attributing his weakened condition to the Chemo, but have since learned otherwise. His oncologist was the first to suspect MSA. Since 1 May, he has gone from walking with a cane to being unable to work at all, and has trouble even sitting up by himself. Because the Chemo does make him sick, we are with holding those treatments at least for the time being. Mom and I just don't know what to expect, and since his doctor has not treated a lot of MSA patients, he doesn't know for sure either. He told us that " it's just a matter of time, " but can't say how much time. Can anyone tell us what we can expect as far as progression of the MSA. While it progressed very slowly over the first 6 years,we're concerned that if it progresses as rapidly as it has over the last month we may lose him fairly soon. Any info " you " can provide would be greatly appreciated. > Thanks > Barb Stanley > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > mail2web - Check your email from the web at > http://mail2web.com/ . If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may unsubscribe by sending a blank email to shydrager-unsubscribe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 28, 2002 Report Share Posted May 28, 2002 Dear Barb, Like Jan and I am sure many others we are sorry that you had to find need of this support group. I also believe that the combination of the two probably makes it worse for your father but no one can tell you how fast this will progress for him. It could go so many different ways including stopping for a while. Anyone with MSA can have similar symptoms and also different symptoms which is another thing that makes this disease so aggrivating. Let your father sleep when he needs it and be there when he is awake whenever possible. Like Jan, I believe all you can do is live one day at a time and enjoy each day as much as possible. I have corticobasal ganglionic degeneration which is related but not the same brain disease. I can tell you that the biggest thing that helps me is knowing that my family is here with me when they can be and that they love me very much. I am sure your father probably feels the same way. I will keep you all in my prayers. God bless, Belinda > > Hi, > > My name is Barb Stanley and my 75 year old dad has just been > diagnosed with MSA. Based on his current symptoms and medical > history, it is believed he has has MSA for about 6 years. That's > about the time his first fainting spells began, along with the > shuffling of his feet and constipation. And now that he's been > diagnosed, we're (my mom and I) reasonably sure all his many other > symptoms must surely be MSA related. Complicating matters is the > fact that he also has multiple myloma which was being treated with > Chemo. We kept attributing his weakened condition to the Chemo, but > have since learned otherwise. His oncologist was the first to > suspect MSA. Since 1 May, he has gone from walking with a cane to > being unable to work at all, and has trouble even sitting up by > himself. Because the Chemo does make him sick, we are with holding > those treatments at least for the time being. Mom and I just don't > know what to expect, and since his doctor has not treated a lot of > MSA patients, he doesn't know for sure either. He told us that " it's > just a matter of time, " but can't say how much time. Can anyone tell > us what we can expect as far as progression of the MSA. While it > progressed very slowly over the first 6 years,we're concerned that if > it progresses as rapidly as it has over the last month we may lose > him fairly soon. Any info " you " can provide would be greatly > appreciated. > > Thanks > > Barb Stanley > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------ -- > > mail2web - Check your email from the web at > > http://mail2web.com/ . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.