4 ms·

So... do the counseling! Knowing that the answer is out there for the taking is already changing your life, probably for the worst. "What is true is already so.

So... do the counseling! Knowing that the answer is out there for the taking is already changing your life, probably for the worst. "What is true is already so. Owning up to it doesn't make it worse..."

olalonde 13y ago
Have you not heard of "ignorance is bliss"? I don't see the point of knowing the answer here.
- justinjlynn 13y ago
  Because one day you will stumble or your grip will be weak and you'll spend all your time wondering if it was just the beginning signs of developing ALS or if you were just tired or clumsy. I would think that would be the point, at least for me. - EDIT: for clarity.
- crpatino 13y ago
  I agree it would be nice if the option was still available to the OP. However he already knows what ALS is, that the gene is in his family and that he personally is "likely" to have it. More over, the two relatives lost to ALS are not mere statistics, but carry deep emotional implications that color every rational attempt at dealing with it. Assuming the 50-50 estimate is accurate, the OP has a 50% chance of being released of this dreadful fear by being shown not to have the gene himself, which its a huge gain. On the other hand, I doubt it'd be much worse to know for sure to be a carrier of the disease. In the best case, there is much emotional work that can be done in putting their affairs in order and being a much need grief process.
  - olalonde 13y ago
    I understand your point of view but I guess this topic is highly subjective. In my case, not knowing wouldn't bother me that much and knowing I don't have the gene wouldn't dramatically improve my life. However, knowing I have the gene would probably make me dramatically depressed for my remaining years.
  - at-fates-hands 13y ago
    Counseling is still available, it's just something I try not to think about it too much. It's not something I want to be constantly thinking about. You're right, losing two family members to the disease does burden me at times when I stop to think about it. Here is a link to the inheritance chart which describes most situations and the likely hood it will passed on, and to which side (male or female) passes it on. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/inheritance/riskassessment http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/inheritance/riskassessment
    - crpatino 13y ago
      If suppressing the thoughts works for you, great. Every one has to go through it at their own pace. Best wishes to you and your loved ones.

olalonde 13y ago

Have you not heard of "ignorance is bliss"? I don't see the point of knowing the answer here.

justinjlynn 13y ago
Because one day you will stumble or your grip will be weak and you'll spend all your time wondering if it was just the beginning signs of developing ALS or if you were just tired or clumsy. I would think that would be the point, at least for me. - EDIT: for clarity.
crpatino 13y ago
I agree it would be nice if the option was still available to the OP. However he already knows what ALS is, that the gene is in his family and that he personally is "likely" to have it. More over, the two relatives lost to ALS are not mere statistics, but carry deep emotional implications that color every rational attempt at dealing with it. Assuming the 50-50 estimate is accurate, the OP has a 50% chance of being released of this dreadful fear by being shown not to have the gene himself, which its a huge gain. On the other hand, I doubt it'd be much worse to know for sure to be a carrier of the disease. In the best case, there is much emotional work that can be done in putting their affairs in order and being a much need grief process.
- olalonde 13y ago
  I understand your point of view but I guess this topic is highly subjective. In my case, not knowing wouldn't bother me that much and knowing I don't have the gene wouldn't dramatically improve my life. However, knowing I have the gene would probably make me dramatically depressed for my remaining years.
- at-fates-hands 13y ago
  Counseling is still available, it's just something I try not to think about it too much. It's not something I want to be constantly thinking about. You're right, losing two family members to the disease does burden me at times when I stop to think about it. Here is a link to the inheritance chart which describes most situations and the likely hood it will passed on, and to which side (male or female) passes it on. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/inheritance/riskassessment http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/inheritance/riskassessment
  - crpatino 13y ago
    If suppressing the thoughts works for you, great. Every one has to go through it at their own pace. Best wishes to you and your loved ones.