|
|
Information
Why should you read this book? Even if multiple sclerosis, or some other disabling disease, is explained to you in medical terminology that you can understand (and this is not always the case), this leaves a wealth of information yet unexplained about both medical and non-medical information of having this disease and caring for someone with this disease. Most patients and their caregivers enter this crucial, and sometimes long, period of their life totally uneducated, unprepared and unable to deal well with many aspects of multiple sclerosis and other disabling diseases. Reading this book will:
Who is the author? My name is Dave Kellar and I am the primary caregiver for my wife Rhonda who has multiple sclerosis. Rhonda was first suspected of having multiple sclerosis as early as 1982. She was officially diagnosed in 1988. For Rhonda, this started with a relapsing/remitting type of the disease and graduated to a secondary progressive type over a period of years (more on multiple sclerosis types later). Today, Rhonda is wheelchair bound, with little to no movement in her arms and legs and requires almost 24/7 care. Why am I writing this book? First, let me tell you what not to expect from this book and why... I am not a doctor and not qualified to provide medical advice. I can only provide opinion or guidance based on years of experience from having a female spouse who has been disabled by multiple sclerosis. Each multiple sclerosis patient is different in manifestation and progression of the disease as well as emotional preparedness, economics and what support systems are available. While there are literally dozens of ways this disease can progress, I can only comment on my experience with my wife's progression. This is not intended to be a long, detailed book. It is written at a very high level so anyone can understand. It is not edited by a professional and I apologize in advance for any poor use of the English language. The best business book I ever read was well spaced and in large print and it seemed to make it much easier to read and absorb. I hope that is your experience with this book. Once proficient at this level, it is the caregiver's responsibility to pursue other levels of detail pertinent to the patients' needs. What you can expect in this book and why… There are many frustrations with disabling diseases that are not directly related to the disease itself or the individual who has the disease. As a multiple sclerosis caregiver, I have run the total gamut from a healthy, active spouse to her current state and all of the stages in between. This gives me 23 years of experience in managing this disease whether it is:
I feel qualified to provide information that may help and shortcut things you will need to know and do during your living with a disabling disease. While I am not a doctor, and despite multiple sclerosis patients varying progression, there is much general information contained in this book that will apply and help families deal with a wide realm of issues that may face them during caregiving to a person with any disabling disease. Simply, I want your path to be easier than ours has been. While the book is written from a caregiver's perspective, individuals with any disabling disease, spouses, companions, friends, family members and others will benefit from reading of this information. Lastly, these chapters are in no logical order and looking at them now, I see no way to put them in any which makes sense. If I refer to something in a chapter you haven't read yet, hang in there...you will find it before the book ends. Thanks for reading my book and good luck in all endeavors of your life. TABLE of CONTENTS
|