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, January 6, 2009

Hospice!!!!!!!!!!

Just a quick note to let you all know that Cathy is finally getting Hospice!!! More details to come... (busy week with the kiddos being back to school!) Gayle just met with them & they are finalizing details. It all started with Gayle pushing for more help at the Nursing Home. We are all happy with the staff that cares for Cathy now... they are just VERY short handed! (like most places I am sure)

Also posting a picture of our visit to Grandma Cathy on our way back from Iowa for Christmas. We took in the movie "Grumpier Old Men" for her, she used to Love watching those movies. Chase pulled a chair up next to Grandma & watched part of the movie with her.

3 comments:

Nichelle said...

I will be praying for all of you...so many emotions rolling around in your heart, I am sure. She is so very blessed to have such a loving family like you, to care for and love her.
In my thoughts.
Nichelle

Jean McGrury said...

Beth what a smile that came to my face after reading all your comments on my blog. Thank you for all the encourgement. I can't believe you read the whole thing. I also read your blog and Cathy has such a wonderful smile. I hope she will continue to be able to smile when she see's her loved ones! Jean

DeeDee said...

THat's wonderful that she gets to have some extra care now (hospice). It is also very sweet to see the picture of your little boy watching TV alongside his grandma. It is so symbolic and reminds me of my own kids with their grandma. You are doing a wonderful job with your Mother-in-law, and again, thanks so much for writing this blog.