Cindy's Life Updates with Frontotemporal Dementia: May 2018

Thank You, Mom!

May 11, 2018

My mom has taught me so many things throughout my lifetime. More than she will ever know.

I feel like she has been teaching me the most meaningful lessons throughout the last few years, while she has had Dementia. For that, I will be forever grateful.

My mom has taught me . . . . . .

- Patience. Patience. Patience.

- Live in the present moment.

- How to be unstoppable in caring

- How to give of myself and give to others.

- Have fun.

- Don't be too serious.

- Smile!

- You CAN get through anything that is hard.

- Never give up.

- Love is all you really need.

I am a better person now, than I was before Dementia.

All because of you, Mom!

Thank you, Mom!

I would do this all over to learn these life lessons again. . . . Even though I would never want to go through this again.

I dedicate this beautiful song to my momma and to all the wonderful mommas out there!

You are all AMAZING!

This song reminded me of my mom!

Happy Mother's Day!

Song by

Stan Walker - Thank You.

Caregiving

My Top 10 Stress Relievers For Caregivers

May 01, 2018

Here are some of my top stress relievers that have helped me in stressful times during the last few years.

1. Meditation - YouTube videos

I found out about meditation and YouTube videos just a few months before my mom was diagnosed with FTD. I would say this has been a blessing for me to learn about meditation videos, and to be able to listen to them the last few years.

I have gotten into a habit where I listen to meditation videos while I go to sleep or I have a harder time falling asleep. It's such a habit that I have listened to meditation while falling asleep at home, on vacation, or in the hospital. This always helps me out and helps me to fall asleep easier and more peacefully. I love that I can just do this from my phone, and have access to it anywhere I go. This video below, is my current favorite one, and the one that I listen to every night.

2. Walk/Jog/Run/Exercise/Move Around -

I started walking, sometimes 2 times a day, with my dog. This helped me relieve so much stress that I had. Walking and seeing the beauty around me helped me forget about my worries.

I would even, at times, take my mom with me to the park. She'd sit in the car listening to her music with her headphones, while watching me walk around the track. This helped me de-stress. I was able to entertain my mom, while doing something that helped me, too.

My goal lately has been to just move around more than I have been.

My walk at the park. I had my mom get out of the car to take a picture with me in 2014.

3. Pets -

I have been lucky to be surrounded by pets that always have seemed to know when I needed their love. They have really been therapy for me. Petting an animal can help relieve stress and worries.

4. Journaling / Blogging -

I haven't been that great with journaling for quite some time. I have started to blog and document this FTD journey that we have been on. I feel like opening up and letting it all out has helped me out so much. Letting it out is therapeutic! Let it out!

5. Music -

Music is probably a given stress reliever for everyone. Listening to some upbeat music can always make you feel better. Turn on and turn up the music!

6. Positive Affirmations -

Positive affirmations help to boost me up and to keep me on the right path of thinking. This can really help out if you wake up and do this in the mornings. It's a great way to start your day out. I learned this from Tony Robbins. It doesn't hurt to have a hour of power in the mornings, too. Take time to focus on yourself.

Think to yourself positive affirmations like the ones below. Say positive affirmations inside your head over and over.

I Can Do This

I Am Strong

I Am Brave

I Am A Great Caregiver

7. Search For Support -

I'll admit that I was the one who thought I could do everything by myself. I didn't need anyone or any support. The truth is everyone needs all the support they can get while going through stressful situations! Search for support from family and friends. When you feel like you need extra support reach out to support groups in person or online. It is very therapeutic to speak to others who understand what you are going through. No one should have to go through stressful situations alone!

8. Be Thankful -

Be thankful for the little things. This is what helps me keep going. I search for just even the smallest things that I am thankful for. I always remind myself that things could be so much worse, and then it reminds me to be thankful for my situation. It could always be worse than it is.

9. Friends and Family -

Having the support of friends and family has been what has got me through my stressful times. Just knowing they were there for me through it all helped me. I didn't need them to help me fix my problems. It just helped to know they were there. It's nice to get a moment to yourself away from it all, and hang out with friends & family, too.

10. Hot Shower or Bath -

Whenever I feel like I need to unwind and just get away from everything. . . . . I love to get in the shower and just have the warm water run down my body. It helps release tension & sore muscles. I love to do the positive affirmations in the shower, too. That makes this a 2 in 1 stress reliever for me. Make your "shower time" your "me time". Don't think about all of your worries and everything you have on your to do list. Let your shower time be your healing time! Think of positive affirmations, while you are showering. It will do wonders for you.

These are just a few of the ways that I have found to help relieve my stress. What are some stress relievers that help you?