Thank you to all for the great advice! I will start my research immediately and come back to you. She is now 32 and lives with us, she cannot live on her own as she is extremely off balance. The only things she can do is washing dishes ( with supervision) that's all. She sleeps most of the time.

I just phoned her service provider and they gave me a number where I can baar all outgoing calls! Thanks so much, I never even would have thought about that.

Unfortunately we can only see her neurologist next month. The doctors in SA can be full of crap when it comes to appointments so we have no choice but to wait until next month. OR I can ask her Gynae to arrange for an appointment. (She is going for a hysterectomy 31 January 2013). Will keep up to date.

Another Question... Any links for emphysema? My dad got diagnosed 2 days ago.

Lots of love Sadsister

you can try googling COPD or emphysema. wikipedia should come up among other things. it's like an encyclopedia and will give an explanation. sorry for your dad's dx.

please make sure your sister's drs know of her condition before her surgery. they will need a way to evaluate her before & after the surgery and to watch her as a risk to fall etc.

I'm so sorry for your sister as well as you and your family. This must be so scary for you all. I would definitely discuss this with her dr(s) as a number of other conditions could cause this as well as, on a rare occasion, MS. It is so important for her well being that this be addressed as soon as possible.

Is she home by herself at all? I would be concerned about making her phone so that she can't call out as an emergency may occur and she can't call anyone. Does her provider offer an option where she can only call certain numbers such as yours, her doctors, and/or emergency services? That may be a better option.

I will keep you all in my prayers and I hope her surgery goes well and she has a speedy recovery.

This is a really valid point - there would surely be a way that emergency numbers/family could be allowed (similar function to a child lock or a firewall on a computer).

So sorry that this is happening to you and your family - my thoughts are with you, your sister and your dad.

((()))