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, April 17, 2009

Cathy's Birthday

Today would have been Cathy's 55th Birthday. When I wrote the last post I was having a 'down' day. I honestly feel like the days leading up to today were much harder than today actually was. I have been thinking about today all month & I let it bring me down. Remembering all of the Birthday celebrations we had with her. Cathy Loved Birthdays! She would cook a Birthday Supper at her house and then follow it with Cake & Neopolitan Ice Cream.

The kids & I sent prayers up for Grandma last night. They both said "Have a Happy Birthday Grandma" & we talked about how she is dancing up in Heaven to some good ol Rock N Roll music.

Brad is working near his parents place again... and he is hoping to have a nice supper with his Dad tonight remembering his Mom.

Happy Birthday Cathy, you will Always be in our Hearts!
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1 comment:

DeeDee said...

Happy Birthday, Cathy! I feel like you are an angel for my Mother , miles and miles away, though you have never met each other. Hugs to you , Beth, on this occasion, and she is probably grateful for all you did for her seeing her to the end of it all.

April 20, 2009 1:50 PM

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