Life With ALS.com

+    Diagnosed Aug 2005

+     Bipap March 2007

+     PEG July 2007

+     Trache and Vent July 2008

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Denial is a classic coping mechanism. It is an effective way to deal with ALS, at least in the early stages. It allows the person time to adjust to what is happening.

 

A lot of people use this as their primary means of dealing with ALS. But if it continues too long it can be quite detrimental for everyone.

 

My wife is still somewhat in denial about my ALS and it is starting to be a problem. I am not in denial and have tried to prepare, in advance, for each stage of the disease. This was not a problem at first with things like a wheelchair, but now that I need more serious stuff like a lift, for transfers, she is fighting me when I start trying to plan. Now her denial is getting in the way of making things easy and convenient for both of us. I get criticized for trying to make things easier. She wants to ignore what is happening, by doing this things are harder than they need to be. I have lots of ideas on how to make transfers easier but am not allow to mention them. My sole purpose is to make things easier for my wife.

 

So, I cannot encourage you enough, anyone who is in denial, to come out of the denial stage and recognize what is happening so plans can be made to make life easier for you.