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)

Monday, July 2, 2007

Lake Arbutus





Location: Wisconsin

Cathy's Loves Camping! Her & the boy's spent their summer's at Lake Arbutus when they lived in Wisconsin. Brad loves to tell us stories of all the fun things they did their growing up. This is the 2nd summer they have had a reserved camping spot on the lake to leave their camper at. I couldn't wait to get the kids up to Wisconsin to make memories for them.

Usually Cathy is excited & eager to go over to the campground. But not this summer. If we don't mention it, she doesn't even think about it. And a few times we had to talk her into going with us. She had no interest in going along. Once we would get to the campground she would head into the camper & put in a movie. All the movies she has on DVD at the house... she also has on VHS at the camper. One trip she even forgot where the key was hidden to unlock the camper. And if you know Cathy, she was always very organized & detail oriented about things like that.

The kids & I built the campfires this summer... or I should say I attempted to. Luckily Grandpa Gayle came to the rescue after work.

The one thing that still gets Cathy excited is.... Ice Cream!! The campground has a mini shop that sells supplies &... ice cream! So we went on walks almost everyday we were there for it! And if we weren't at the campground there is a Yummy Ice Cream Shop in town too. Needless to say... I am now gaining weight just as fast as Cathy.

No comments: