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, September 18, 2009

I read this on a blog I follow today & wanted to share it:

"Sorrow is one of the things lent, not given.

Joy is given; sorrow is lent.

Sorrow is lent to us for just a little while

that we may use it for eternal purposes.

Then it will be taken away and everlasting joy

will be our Father's gift to us, and the Lord God

will wipe away all tears..."

-Amy Carmichael

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Where Flowers Bloom So Does Hope ~Lady Bird Johnson




A Wonderful Friend of ours sent us these pictures of her Flowers. These are not just any flowers, they are the flowers that grew from Cathy's seeds. From the seed packets we passed out at Cathy's Funeral.

Aren't they Beautiful? Just seeing them brought a Smile to our faces.
Bright & Cheerful!

Our Friend said, "Every time we look at them we think of her!"

Thank You!