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, May 19, 2008

Brad's Visit - Note from Jean

Brad stopped in to see his Mom today on his day off, the drive takes him about 2 hours. As usual he was greeted with laughing, teary eyes, hugs, & a big kiss. It's hard for him to talk about it... mostly he said, "I don't really have much for the blog. Basically it's just hard. But good to see her." At some point today he was introduced to Arnie, another resident in Cathy's unit (someone he already knows but, it's the Dementia unit, so Arnie was really being introduced to Brad again), & Arnie said, "Nice to meet you Brad Pitt. I have heard that name before, it's nice to meet you Brad Pitt." Brad called me to say, "Did you know you are married to Brad Pitt??!!" (Lucky me!) After about an hour & a half she gave him his coat, handed him his pop, zipped up his coat for him & opened the door. As he was walking out he ran into our family friend Shelly who works in activities there. She told Brad, it's Bingo time, that's why your Mom is ready for you to go! That made him feel a bit better! :)
_______________________________

Hi Beth
Just to let you know that we did
not go for our golf cart ride as
planned, it was cancelled due to
bad weather,rain mostly....But
we did play bingo today and drink
coffee... everything seems to be
going ok...Will write more later.. I
guess I just missed Brad when he
was there...Maybe next time....
Can't wait for all of you to be in
Black River.........Jean

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