When I was diagnosed, communication about my future with friends and family was difficult. Of course we cried, got angry, asked every crazy question you could think of, and researched different treatments. We eventually determined we would walk this path together, and adjust life as needed. It all sounded acceptable to me, and 4 years later we are still walking this path together.
 
I want to talk about managing relationships. Everything has changed physically, emotionally and mentally. If I was upset, I could go for a drive, a run, go outside for a cigarette and beer or just walk alone. Now I just sit in my chair unable to do any of those things, heck I can’t even yell. If I wanted to show love, a kiss, hug, or well you know, I would do it. Now I just use my eyes and smile, which is fine but it’s obviously not the same. So the way I manage my relationships with other humans had to change drastically from my life pre ALS.
 
I’m not going to lie, I have turned into an asshole and now I do my best to not be one. I communicate only through my eye gaze computer, which is much slower than talking. Somewhere between 15 - 25 words per minute. I can’t participate in group conversations, even a one on one conversation is tough. And sometimes people don’t even let me finish my sentences. All of these challenges are so taxing on any person in a similar situation, and there is really no way to prepare yourself. You just learn and adapt as you go.
 
What I don’t want to happen is for myself to slip into isolation, where I can’t experience these emotions. So I have to learn different ways to express myself, and it’s quite a challenge. I truly feel that love is the greatest gift that God gave us. Love for your family, your friends, your significant other and ultimately yourself. Without love, I don’t see life being purposeful.
 
I guess my main thought here is, I want to be a better person. I will work on being a better human daily. I will become a better human. If I have caused you harm or agony, I apologize. I love you all.

​Been a while since I’ve written, I've been depressed and stressed recently and it caused me to lose motivation to write. Tonight I decided to pull my shit together and write about something, anything.  So here we go, a summary of my last five months.
 
Right out of the hospital I was dealing with a blood infection that required a two week course of antibiotics, and the antibiotics caused havoc in me. Tore up my stomach and caused diarrhea, on top of getting used to tracheostomy this period was so difficult for mom and I. Some days I didn’t get out of bed and just kept myself sedated. I asked myself every day, what in the hell did I get myself into? Needless to say, I went into a very dark place. A place I never have been and never want to go back to.
 
In June we went to Dodgers stadium for Lou Gehrig day with my mom, her first time ever. I was so happy for her. The next day we went to angel stadium and was honored to be a part of this special day for all people living with ALS. 
 
In July we went to the movies a few times, and I was finally getting used to my new normal of life with a trache. My birthday was in August and what a special week that was. I had been scared to eat or drink anything since surgery, and I figured why not try on my 40th. Pasta, meat sauce, salad and wine. I was elated to taste again :). My friends and family threw a kickass surprise 40th for me, what a special day that was.
 
Lately I have been very involved in fantasy sports, watching and researching all the statistics. I find that if you don’t keep your mind constantly busy, you will think about ALS and that can lead to bad thoughts. I also started meditation daily, it helps calm the mind. I can honestly say I am very happy with my life right now, and am glad I decided to have tracheostomy surgery. My body barely functions anymore and it’s getting scary thinking of the future, but I have an awesome care team so I don’t worry about it too much.
 
My favorite meal is chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, croutons and Italian dressing. Weird right? Not to this guy, smiling from ear to ear! Life is beautiful. I will get back to writing again, I enjoy jotting my thoughts :).

​In the ALS community we refer to a person with als as PALS, and the caregiver of the person with als as CALS. Most of the time people in the public are focused on the pals, hearing their story and the courageous fight. While the pals do have a tough battle, I think the immediate family who have become caregivers have it the hardest.
 
Take my family for example, my parents are in their 60s expected to retire and relax after 40+ years of work. Mom didn’t sign up to be a primary caregiver for her 39 year old son. Dad didn’t sign up to watch his eldest child become more paralyzed day by day, knowing there is not a thing he could do. Same with my brothers and sister, I mean I can’t imagine how helpless they feel watching my physical decline. And my son Ashton, my nephews and niece Billy, Casey and Allie. What do they think? I’ve tried to show them this is what it means to never give up, never lose hope. And my lifelong friends, it must be so hard to see your friend in this physical shape. A lot of them will and have turned a blind eye, and I really don’t blame them. This is a horrible thing to be involved in.
 
As the pals, yes life is hard and full of adversity but my adversity is no more difficult  than my family and friends.  ALS hasn’t changed just my life, it’s changed a lot of people’s lives around me.  As long as I can see their smiling faces, I will never quit in the face of adversity.
 
My family’s love is beautiful, I am fortunate to feel it every day. 
 
CALS are the real heroes, they inspire me.

Wow, what an eventful two weeks. Woke up early May 5th, had two caregivers to be sure we didn’t miss anything and then mom and I drove to USC for my surgery. Surgery went fine, I woke up nauseous and a little freaked out. I couldn't breathe or talk through my mouth. I’ll be honest, two weeks later it still does, but everyday becomes less weird and more normal.
 
I encountered a few trials and tribulations on this journey:

1. Not being able to eat or drink is a bummer.
2. Communication is frustrating, even if you have an eye gaze pc there will be times you can’t use it. I wish we’d have practiced with a letter board.
3. I needed 24 hour care in the hospital above my nurses, so I utilized some of my caregivers and my Mom to cover the shifts. They probably had it harder than me, lack of sleep and constant worrying about me.

Everything about this procedure, for me, has been extremely challenging. I had a scare one afternoon when an artery close to my trache ruptured. I had blood filling my lungs, stomach, coming out my trach stoma and my mouth, but guess what, I’m still here.
 
While in the hospital I developed a urinary tract infection, and another blood infection. UTI is simple, pop a few antibiotics and it will clear up. The blood infection is similar, but since I have a port catheter, it became compromised, so I will go under surgery again to remove it from my chest.
 
The good news:

1. Breathing is simple 
2. Clearing mucus from my lungs is way less stressful.
3. I can still speak, albeit you have to deflate the trach cuff and attach a passy muir valve. WHATEVER, I can still talk.

 
And most importantly I am still alive to do my best keeping Ashton in line.

My name is Leila Darki. I am a co- director of ALS Center of Excellence at USC.  
I see every day how ALS affects those I care for and their dedication, love, and good spirits inspire me. I have learned a lot from my ALS patients and their families through this unrelenting journey.  

I came to know Shaun when he saw me for left foot weakness in the summer of 2017. I wish I met Shaun and his mother under different circumstances, however, I am grateful to have the opportunity to be his neurologist.  

Shaun is strong, brave, and full of love. He has chosen to have a tracheostomy so that he could live to watch Ashton, his son, grow up. I met Ashton only once, but being a parent, I can feel the strong bond between him and Shaun. Ashton is a kind and caring boy.   
Shaun’s mom rose to the challenge. Despite, the devastating news, she handled all arrangements immediately. She has provided constant care and emotional support, while also simultaneously accompanying him all his appointments.  
Shaun and his loved ones have truly taught me how to enjoy life purposefully and to cherish every moment with the people around you. I have learned to be proactive and to not put my life on hold.  
​
May is ALS awareness month, which is a chance for us all to come together to advocate for ALS patients and their families. Our ALS team at USC is dedicated to providing only the highest quality care to ALS patients and their caregivers. We are devoted to this cause and will not relent until there is a cure.

This will serve as my first official blog entry, ever. I have never been a writer so I think this will be a way for me to grow, as well as journaling my thoughts and emotions.

ALS has drastically changed me from a walking, talking , handsome father of Ashton into a nearly paralyzed ventilator dependent handsome father of Ashton. In 2017 when I was diagnosed, I realized I had symptoms back in 2015 of constant muscle twitching but never thought anything of it.  July of 2015 I suffered a comminuted calcaneal fracture, also can be described as I did something stupid and shattered my heel. I believe this event triggered the stress that led me down the path of life with ALS. Yes, I have ALS, but ALS doesn’t have me.

This journey has definitely changed me emotionally, spiritually and functionally. I guess I came to realize that life is beautiful if you choose it. Family, friends and love are what fuels my fire today. That’s what I choose, and I will fight like hell to enjoy the beautiful called life.

The pandemic really screwed up my desire to travel before my functional decline rendered travel difficult. As I’ve been stuck at home, I learned to find entertaining ways to keep my mind occupied, as I feel that inner growth will be a driving factor for my fire.

Today I am thankful for my family, friends and my caregivers. Seven days per week, from 8am to1pm and 6pm to 11pm my caregivers enable me to functionally live, and alleviate the stress from my mom. During the hours of 1pm -6pm I am busy on my eye gaze computer discovering new knowledge and communicating with friends. Mom has caregiving duty during this time, and I am fortunate she still loves me because I probably drive her nuts! Every morning around 5am I wake up and hit the call button that summons mom to my room. Sometimes I need water, sometimes I have to pee, sometimes I have mucus, and sometimes I have anxiety over breathing difficulties and I don’t want to be alone. Whatever the reason is, she always comes to my rescue. I am just very thankful for everyone’s help. My siblings keep Ashton in check where I am unable. My dad for being a great grandpa to his grandkids. Friends that check in on me really makes me smile.

The next chapter is beginning, tracheostomy time. May 5th will now be Cinco de Tracheo surgery at USC. I am scared and excited at the same time. Scared of life without speaking from my mouth, and scared of the financial burden I am about to incur. Life with a trache for me will probably require more caregiving hours, and more stress to my family.  I am excited to be able to breathe easier, and clear mucus from my lungs without choking on mucus plugs.

I am just excited to live!

Shaun