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, December 12, 2008

Girl's Day Out!!

Note from Jean about Cathy's "Girl's Day Out!!"

Hi Beth and Brad
Yesterday we had a girls day out
with Cathy, Barb S. Charlene, cathy and myself, went for a short
ride and then to Wal Mart, we didn't know how Cathy would do
there, but she was wonderful, she
would pick up a few things, look
them over and put right back on the shelf.. Charlene wanted to buy
her a Christmas outfit... Barb S.
went off with Cathy and we did our
thing, Charlene found the brightest
red velour pants and top with a
reindeer shirt with a blinking red
reindeer nose on it. Cathy will
absolutely love it. I have taken home to wash and dry,,, so will take it over for Cathy to wear when it gets closer to Christmas,
even when we were at the check-out she would look at all the gum
and candy but did not touch it at
all... Then we all went back to the
home and listened to someone
sing Christmas Carols. Had a
really fun day...I think Cathy did
recognize Charlene, there was a
sparkle in her eyes and a lot of
vocal noise when she first seen
her, But then back to her TV....
Sure is fun having Charlene here
in town... Wish she lived closer.
Today is Friday and a special day
for Bingo, guess where Cathy and
I will be??? Love to all, JEAN

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