Introduction

Hello

My father has been recently diagnosed with MSA at 73 years old. I believe he is at an advanced stage. It is a harrowing condition to witness and the only thing (the only thing) I care about is that he is not in pain, distress or struggling. If we can have that, then maybe we can have a few smiles along the way.

[chester2107]

hi my dad was diagnosed late in life about 79 , balance and walking was an issue , which we all dealt with, it was when the speech got bad it was hard , he did refuse speech therapy etc , but always cheerful , especially with his family around , and loved being taken out for a walk he sadly passed last year , as long as you can communicate, he can tell you , my dad never had any pain issues himself , very hard to get him to take any tablets , he said he only wanted one that would help him get better

🥲 xx

have you been in contact with the msa trust.org they will have lots of help and advice xx

elaine

[Hidden in reply to chester2107]

Sorry to read about your Dad and your loss. Communication is essential isn't it. Like yours, my dad doesn't have any pain (that he will admit to anyway!) It's a tough thing to watch and day to day management is all that one can do. I guess it's make the most of the good moments and carefully manage the rest.

I have been in touch with the MSA and we have been assigned a Neurological Nurse Specialist.

I hope that you are coping with your loss. It's strange because I find myself grieving already even though my dad is alive and doing it his way.

[chester2107 in reply to Hidden]

oh that’s good that you are in touch with them , my dad passed just before the lockdown ( very good timing on his part) he had had enough to be honest , and he had said to me a few years before that if it got too much , he wouldn’t want to carry on , so when the doctor called from the hospital, i spoke to my brothers and decided it would be better to let him go peacefully, my mum didn’t really understand, she is 85 , they were married for 61 years , she still finds it really hard x i was furloughed last year , so I just went out walking every day , still miss him dreadfully , but i’m grateful he was still ‘my dad ‘ before he went , i have a very supportive family and friends , i have a good cry occasionally, but as you say, it does feel like are gone before they are x

sending you love and hugs xx

[Hidden in reply to chester2107]

Thank you. Sorry for your loss. It sounds to me that your dad had great spirit. X

[chester2107 in reply to Hidden]

thankyou yes he was the best dad in the world 🌎 xx