Our Families Journey Caring for a Mom with FTLD-MND

It is important to know as you read this journal that this was Cathy's life post diagnosis...

To know Cathy Truly you must know that she was: a Wife, Mother of 3 boys, Grandmother of 9, Sister, Niece, Aunt, Daughter, and Friend.

Our families journey began with Cathy's diagnosis the week of Thanksgiving 2006, Cathy was 52. Her original diagnosis was Pick's Disease/FTD. Looking back her symptoms most likely began 3-5 years before diagnosis. Most of the Doctors have told us that from onset of symptoms to death... the average timeframe is 4-7 years. (sigh) In the end her brain autopsy showed Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration with Motor Neuron Disease FTLD-MND. (Basically... Frontal Lobe Dementia with Lou Gehrig's Disease)

Thursday, March 15, 2007

visit

Grandma & Chase - Winter 2000


Sledding down Grandma & Grandpa's Hill

Location: Wisconsin


Brought the kiddos up to see Grandma & Grandpa for the weekend. Chase does notice how Grandma is changing but he is so patient with her. Mia climbs up next to her to watch a movie or ask her about her book. We tried a few crafts but she isn't able to participate anymore. She spent most of the weekend on the couch with a book or watching a movie. I have noticed that she watches the Disney Channel alot. It is almost like she is a kid again sometimes. She begins laughing so loudly. But... she seems happy & doesn't seem to notice things are different.

There was still a little bit of snow on the ground... we tried sledding down the hill in front of the house with Amy & Angelina. The kids enjoyed the weekend!

One more memory to add to the list.
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