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, March 14, 2008

THANKS!

I wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU to the D.O.N. at Cathy's home. What she did for Cathy yesterday (I won't go into details for Cathy's privacy) prevented us from having to take her out of the home & to her Doc's office. (we are not quite ready to take her out yet... for fear of how it will go). We are Thankful & Relieved that she was willing to help her.

THANK YOU!!!

___________________

I spoke with Jean this morning, she was visiting Cathy & painting her nails. I also spoke with Gayle a few times this week & she seems to be pretty Mellow when he is there. (more distant each time, but not angry). The home has him signing in & out each time he visits now... to see if her anger throughout the day is in any way related to his visits. ?? Hopefully not, we will see. When I spoke with the nurses this week they said she is doing ok, still on & off, but helping others in her unit & showing care to them. It still remains hard not knowing... But we are Thankful to those who keep us posted & visit her throughout the week!
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)