I just lost a friend and neighbor this past March. I visited her as much as I could and witnessed a rapid decline. She had a magnificent attitude, accepted things with such grace that I don't know how she did it. It had to be very frustrating when she could no longer speak, but she had such a great husband who took very good care of her. They could almost communicate through eye contact, it was amazing. Of course, they also used a chart. I went to see her one day and she was looking very happy, sometimes she would laugh at things, a very positive visit. Two days later, she passed in her sleep. I understand the breathing may be the last thing to become paralyzed. What an awful disease. The only tiny bit of hope you may have after diagnosis is maybe it will progress slowly. For her, it was about two years. I miss my friend and think of how she struggled, she was more concerned about her husband and daughter and everyone else than herself. She was only in her late fifties, this is when life is supposed to get easier, you can retire, etc. She will never see her daughter married or have grandchildren.