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)

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Charmin

Does anyone know if Charmin's Stock is worth investing in??

Just today Cathy went through over an entire roll of toilet paper! She is in & out of the bathroom every half hour. Just like she lets the dogs in & out every half hour. Sometimes she just opens the door to look outside... which in turn lets tons of flies in the house. UFFDA!

Yes... we are talking about a visit to the Dr. to discuss this.

On a good note. Brad took his Mom for lunch today. He was working outside on his brother's car & noticed she was sitting in the passenger seat of his truck. He asked her what she was doing & she said, "food". So they went to town & got lunch together. And then went & bought more toilet paper! :) He also said everytime she would come outside to check on him today that she brought him out a Pepsi. He would put them back in the fridge when he came inside, & later she would bring him another. She was taking care of him... I am glad he has this memory today.

She also sat at the table with us for supper tonight. She ate in 1/4th the time we did & was back in front of her movie. But, she was with us for a bit. That was nice.

Gayle said when he got home with Misty she ran over to Cathy's door... waiting for her to get out. Sigh. I am glad he has Misty to keep him company at home, it is going to be tough for him not having Cathy at home.

Movies for the day: SecondHand Lions, The Holiday, amd Beauty & the Beast (christmas version)

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