Today was a marathon appointment at the Cleveland Clinic. Jim had appointments with the ALS neurologist office, the FTD neurologist, pulmonary testing and a pulmonologist appointment. All were good news. Despite some recent issues - Jim is doing really well. He has some increased weakness on the right side. However, his weight is stable and his breathing actually improved by a few points.
The best part of all - Jim had a DNA test for a gene known to cause FTD/parkinsonism a few months ago - it came back negative! Such a relief - with this gene there is was a 100% chance the girls would eventually develop FTD.
Jim will now go for one more DNA test - this tests for the 2nd known gene to cause FTD. So hopefully this too will be negative. We will not get the results of the 2nd test for 3 more months.
All in all Jim is doing good. The last few weeks he has been feeling great - many times better then me. He was having a hard time in March and April - problems with standing and getting up from a seated position. I was really worried how these appointments would turn out. There still are times he has to use the table to pull himself up - but overall he is doing good.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
