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)

Friday, September 28, 2007

Last day of work

Today was my last day at ISU. I will still be covering some vacations for people in the next few months, but only a few days a month. They had a Party for me complete with Taco Bar & desserts! I was such a surreal feeling. I have worked at ISU for 8 years now & helped plan these parties... but to be for you is different. They also gave me an "extremely" generous going away gift... I don't feel right taking it, since I hope to someday go back to work. We will see how it all plays out.

I will miss being a nurse, I will miss adult conversation, & I will miss my friends at work. I am leaving them at a bad time, they are short staffed & we have changed to electronic charting... so it is pretty crazy somedays! I have the guilty feeling tugging at me. But they have all been so supportive & understanding on why I made this decision.
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