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)

Sunday, October 7, 2007

The Move

Well... Cathy & Gayle are down this weekend. We had a Birthday party with family tonight for Chase's 7th Birthday! Grandma Nelson & I made homemade Chicken and Noodles (with a little help from Mia). Uncle Marty surprised Chase & came for his party all the way from Phoenix!! It was a nice evening. Cathy did pretty well having everyone around, she knew everyone here, and she wasn't too restless. However she kept eyeing up Chase's cake. On a few occasions I had to stop her from cutting it. I don't know if it was her sweet tooth talking or if it is just the fact that she is always in a hurry to get things done.

Gayle plans on heading back up to Wisconsin in a day or two & leaving Cathy with us. In a round about way we have all told her she is staying. She is fine staying her to "visit" while Gayle works. She doesn't like being home alone anymore. But I am not sure how well she will take it permanently. The big question is: Do we tell her or not? Will she understand? Can she comprehend it all? Will it upset her? What would happen if she says no? She doesn't really have any other options.... Uffda! I am leaving that one up to Brad & Gayle.

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