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Planning ahead Since I last wrote, my condition has continued on a steady but slow decline. I can no longer use my legs at all and cannot transfer from my motorized chair without the use of an overhead lift. My ankles have become so weak that I wear ankle braces just to keep my legs straight. Actually, my entire body is weaker and that is affecting a lot of things. At times, I am shaky and sometimes utensils slip out of my hands. I now choke on liquids and need a thickener to help everything go down properly. Linda, you ask about fatigue. I have learned to pace myself and plan ahead before doing anything. If I am going to be up all day or out, I get extra rest the day before and go to bed early. Normally, I have a nap from 1 to 4 p.m. and stay up until 9 or 10. I try to schedule appointments for early morning, but if I have to take an afternoon appointment, I will nap in the morning. Visitors and talking on the phone tire me out, so I try to have only a couple of visitors at once and keep phone conversations short. My last tip for coping with fatigue is to limit the number of buttons you have to deal with. A blouse can be pulled on over your head if you leave a couple of buttons undone.
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