Quarterly Report

Today Wendy had her quarterly reassessment by the team of experts at the ALS Clinic. It was a long, ultimately rather exhausting "morning" with a sequence of visits one after another from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm to a few of the experts whom we first saw three months ago. This time, on my recommendation, we skipped a few, and saw only the respiratory specialists (technician for respiratory function tests, physician/respirologist); the speech therapist, the physiotherapist, the physician/neurologist in overall charge of the ALS Clinic, and the nutritionist, in that order. Just as when we first encountered this team, we were most favourably impressed by their overall excellence - their competence, consideration, compassion and willingness to go the extra mile are unparalleled in our experience (and I know we didn't get 'special' attention because I happen to be a senior, perhaps eminent member of the medical profession and the university staff; I know Ken Scott, our late friend and neighbour in our condominium, another ALS sufferer, got the same high level of care that we are, that Wendy is, getting). Just as on our first visit to the ALS Clinic, we came away armed with a whole set of recommendations and suggestions to make life easier. The objective measurements for instance of respiratory function and speech, show the progress of the disease, or her deterioration, since her last visit three months ago. I don't think there's any point in spelling out the details in this blog. The main thing to say is that everyone in the clinic is upbeat and matter-of-fact and full of helpful advice and suggestions. They imbue us with optimism that will help us to cope with what is ahead of us. And we know that we can count on the ALS Clinic team to provide whatever support we may need. It's a comforting thought, and another illustration of the quality of the Canadian health care system.