Cindy's Life Updates with Frontotemporal Dementia: Holiday Fun

A Reindeer For Halloween? Yes!

October 31, 2019

Halloween felt like another typical day. That is how I was treating it. I didn't prepare to have my mindset in the right place for Halloween. I thought having my mom dress up in something for Halloween would be fun, but I didn't make it to the store or purchase anything online. I thought even if it was just a Halloween shirt it would be fun. I even thought that my mom would think it was silly and not really care, so I figured, it was ok that I wasn't able to do anything.

There was a knock on the door. It was something that I was least expecting. . .
HALLOWEEN CHEER was brought to us at our front door. A surprise.

A smile was automatically brought to my face and this cheer changed my Halloween with a smile and excitement.

Cindy's CNA, Ashley, brought her a costume, glowstick bracelets, and suckers. She gave the option to my mom of what costume to choose. Cindy didn't know what to choose, so Ashley chose for her.

Ashley showered my mom and then got her dressed up as a deer with an antler head band and cute tail. Cindy smiled and seemed happy about the way she looked.

I didn't know how long Cindy would leave her costume on, but to my surprise it was all day, even up to just right before she went to sleep. I had to remove the headband and tail for her.

Cindy spent the day dressed as a deer watching Hocus Pocus on repeat. She had some of her grandkids visit her and the fun part was Cindy got to surprise them with her deer look.

I was reminded again that someone who doesn't know it's Halloween or what Halloween is, can still dress up, and their day can be changed with excitement & happiness.

🎃 🎃 🎃

We hope you all had a fun filled last day of October!

❤

Holiday Fun

A Special Visitor at Memory Care - Anything is Possible

December 18, 2018

We had a special visitor visit Cindy at memory care last week. It was one of Cindy's best friend that she met during her working days, back in the early 2000's. Cindy would call her "Debbie, Debbie, Debbie".

Debbie came to visit Cindy, knowing that Cindy, wouldn't remember her. Debbie wanted to visit anyways.

I was nervous of how it would go because my mom has been different lately. It went perfectly and there was no reason to feel nervous. Debbie came in with love in her heart and handled Cindy perfectly. My heart was filled this night, seeing the caring love, that was shown to us.

Debbie showed Cindy pictures of both of them together. Debbie and her husband sang beautiful Christmas songs to us. They drew in a crowd of others that live at memory care, too.

This was a memorable night.

I learned that . . . .

If you open up your heart with love, anything is possible.

Thank you, Debbie, Debbie, Debbie, & Randy, for making our night by bringing in Christmas cheer and love!

Holiday Fun

It's Beginning To Look A lot Like Christmas!

December 03, 2018

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Everywhere we go!

The Christmas tree is up.

The Christmas decorations are hung.

Snow is falling. Snow is everywhere we look. On the ground, roads, and rooftops.

Christmas lights are up all around.

Christmas music is playing on the radio. Christmas movies are playing on the tv.

The gloves & scarf have been brought out for the first time.

Life with Dementia and Christmas time seems so different, almost 5 years into Cindy's diagnosis. It's not quite the same. We try to make this time of year, as well as we can, for Cindy. Just being together, laughing and smiling, is enough for us.

We've been able to watch the snow fall, listen to Christmas music on the radio, look at the decorations, and look at the Christmas lights on the houses with Cindy.

Cindy might not know that it's Christmas time and December. She might not know the meaning of this time of year. That is okay. We hope she can just feel the love that we have for her and we only hope that we can bring a smile to her face.

Hold your loved ones tight this holiday season and smile & laugh together. That is what we will be doing.

We wish you all a

Happy Holiday Season

Full of Love, Smiles & Laughter!

Caregiving

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

It's A Wrap, 2017!

December 31, 2017

I would say overall the year 2017 has been good to us! We have made it another year! I feel blessed, and hope you are all blessed in 2018!

Here are our top honest events that happened this year in 2017.

* - Let's start the count down - *

#12

Our mom's basement flooded due to a clogged pipe. Our mom used too much toilet paper in the toilet, time and time again. She simply forgot how to use the toilet properly.

#11

Our mom was moved into assisted living memory care. She has enjoyed it living at the assisting living place, and she has never complained about being there.

#10

Our mom turned 60 years old this year! She didn't know how old she was turning this year or last year.

Our mom started wearing disposable underwear for the first time. Our mom refused to wear them prior years, and would tell me I could wear them myself, but she wasn't going to wear them. This year she started to wear them daily & she didn't refuse to use them.

We noticed that our mom did not know her grandchildren or son's last name. All of their last names are the same as hers. She did not think they all have the same last names.

Our mom enjoyed the start of summer with car rides. Going out became harder to do, due to incontinence issues. She still gets out and about with everyone's love, patience, & help.

Our mom's cat, Tiger, got sick with cancer. RIP, Tiger!

I made our blog available for the public to see. I had a feeling that wouldn't go away that I needed to share & educate others about Frontotemporal Dementia.

#4
Our mom's pains came back. She had stopped complaining about her pains throughout her bout with Frontotemporal Dementia. This is the first year that she started to complain about her pains that she had, prior to her FTD diagnosis.

#3
This is the first year that we have noticed that our mom didn't know the months or what year it has been. She hasn't been able to associate the holidays with which month it is, either.

#2
This is the first year that our mom let me help her shower. She needs assistance to shower now.

#1
Our mom's short term memory has been worse this year. It is the worst that it has ever been.

Our happiest moments were taking drives, watching tv, partying at Halloween & Christmas, visiting Tiger, listening to Bruno Mars, and just simply hanging out.

Our most trying moments were figuring out the incontinence issues, the flooded basement, and Tiger passing away. For me personally, it was having my mom go to assisted living. The thought of it, and the guilt I had, was very hard at the time. It has turned out to be one of the best choices we have made.

Our positive outlook - Our mom did not get sick during the year 2017. That's a big accomplishment. She would get sick at least once a year since she has had FTD. This year she made it without getting sick.

Our takeaway from 2017 - Be present. The "things" & "stuff" in life doesn't matter. It is the spending time with someone that matters the most. Our mom was able to walk away from her home full of "stuff" and none of the "stuff" mattered to her in the end. When I asked if she needed anything from her home her reply was "what's at my home?" That was very eye opening to me.

Happy New Year from us to you!

Thank you for your support in 2017!

Our mission is to help spread awareness to Frontotemporal Dementia!

Holiday Fun

Christmas Fun 2017

December 29, 2017

We hope you ALL had a wonderful Christmas this year! We have felt blessed this time of the year. We have been very grateful to be able to spend another Christmas with our mom.

We were able to have a Christmas dinner & a party, Christmas Eve, at "Grandma's House". We made it as simple as can be for our mom. She enjoyed having all of her family together at one time. Our family isn't too big, so I don't think it's too overwhelming for her to have us all together.

Our mom's favorite activities were eating dinner, opening presents from her children/grandchildren, and dancing to Bruno Mars. She was quiet while watching a movie. She livened right up when she heard Bruno Mars singing. Music has been our blessing to cheer our mom up.

Jon and I were able to drive together to go pick our mom up for the Christmas party! Our car drives usually look like this. We wear our biggest smiles that we can. This is why I feel like we are blessed! We smile every time that we are together! It's not just a "do I have to smile?", smile. It's our real, biggest smiles!

Our Christmas changes from last year -

◦ Our mom would open cards up this year, and not understand who they were from or what they said on the cards.

◦ Our mom wasn't as into the TV as she use to be.

◦ Our mom had to have help getting her food plate.

◦ Our mom had to continually use the bathroom and have help.

◦ Our mom had no idea it was December and Christmas during this month. She couldn't associate all of the Christmas decorations with what month it was. She also didn't know the reason why we celebrate Christmas.

Thank you to everyone who sent/gave my mom cards and gifts! She was definitely spoiled.

People with Dementia don't need much. They mostly just need your love, time, and support.

I just wanted to shout out to BeeHive Homes & The Salvation Army (Angel Tree) for giving my mom a present from "Santa". It's touching that they give gifts to people in assisted living! Everyone is able to feel love at Christmas time at assisted living. It was thought out gifts that impressed me. Thank you to those of you who volunteer your time at assisted living places, also. I have witnessed many volunteers who make everyone smile, every time they visit. Thank you for what you do!

Here is how we party FTD style at our parties! :)

Thank you for your support and thank you for reading our story!
Find the Positive!
Smile Big!

Our mom with her grandchildren!

Thank you Paul for being our main chef & thank you to everyone for bringing the food you brought to our party!

Holiday Fun

My Mom Visited Santa - Ho Ho Ho

December 06, 2017

Paul had a Christmas party for his past clients this past Saturday. This was the first time that Paul and his team decided to have a Christmas party for their past clients. I wasn't sure if I was going to take my mom or not. I finally decided that it would be fun to have her take a picture with Santa Claus.

Everything went perfectly at the party, and my mom did so good. There was a lot to keep my mom entertained. My mom watched some of The Santa Clause movie, colored on Christmas coloring pages, had pictures taken with Santa Claus, socialized with her niece, listened to Christmas music, and ate some treats.

I have a picture with my mom and Santa Claus now. I've never had a picture with her and Santa, even when I was a little kid! You are never too old to take a picture with Santa Claus! Creating memories is what it is all about! :)

It was a blessing that my mom did so well! I'm glad that my mom was able to come to a Christmas party, and everything went well. It was a Christmas miracle that she stayed for hours, and she didn't ask to leave! I was able to have fun at the party, and not have to stress about my mom.

We are thankful for everyone who attended the party!

Many thanks to the fabulous photographer who took our photos with Santa Claus!

Keil Creations Photography
www.keilcreations.com
801-755-9631

I try to look for the positive out of hard situations. This is my positive outlook right here. There is always a positive, even if there's a negative situation. You just have to search for the positive. Positivity will get you through the hard times, better than negativity will. This is what has helped me get through our FTD journey, and is what will continue to help me get through it.

We continue to wish you a Happy Holiday & a Happier 2018 coming up!

This is how I got my mom excited for the party. We dressed up for the car ride to the party! :)

Holiday Fun

Happy December & Happy Holidays

December 04, 2017

I can't believe that it is December already! This year really went by super fast!

I notice that I have a lot of people checking out my posts who have family that has FTD. My blessings and heart go out to all of you. I know our journeys are different, and I also realize that they are similar in a lot of ways, too. My prayers go out to you this holiday season. My prayers go out to those that have lost their loved ones to FTD and any other disease, too.

I'm going to write an update on my mom!

The holidays are a little different with my mom this year. This year she has never known when a holiday is. She didn't know when her birthday was this year, without us telling her, either. She doesn't seem to thrilled about celebrating holidays. I think it's because she doesn't know the meaning of the holidays. It is just another day to her. I'm not sure what we have in store for this Christmas, but whatever we do, we'll be visiting her, and taking her on some car rides. I've noticed that holidays become a thing of the past, at some point, later on with dementia.

My mom has had pain flare ups lately and she has a hard time walking. It's been amazing because she had a ton of pain before she was diagnosed with FTD. She has gone at least 3 years without complaining of pain, and now her pain has come back.

I have noticed a big change with my mom's short term memory lately. I have been getting shocked when we were just somewhere and my mom does not remember that we were just there within minutes ago. I have never noticed her short term memory this bad. We have noticed her memory slowly fade away year by year, and I'm shocked to see her short term memory slowly fade away, too. It's like we can tell my mom something, and she'll forget it in the same day. Our conversations are changing because of this, and I feel like I'm losing more of my mom each day.

My mom seems to have a harder time recalling people's names quickly. Sometimes it takes her awhile and then she will remember the name. Sometimes she just can't remember names. She forgets who certain people are and how they are connected to the relationship she has with them. This is sad to see.

We decorated my mom's room for the holidays. We took her some of her Christmas stuffed animals, and we decorated her door. The assisted living has a beautiful tree up with some beautiful decorations, also.

May you make many memories, receive many blessings, and have a happy holiday season.

I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it . . . . . . .

Thank you for your support!

Families need all the support they can get. I know for a fact that they are so very grateful for any, and all the support they get!

Holiday Fun

Happy Halloween 2017 & Goodbye to October!

October 31, 2017

We hope you all have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We have had some fun with my mom the whole month of October! It's amazing that today is the end of October already. Halloween has always been a fun month for us, while my mom has had FTD. October has treated us well this year again.

My mom has loved her Halloween decorations in her room. Her room has been decked out all month long. I did a Halloween door contest for the fun of it and the "Do Not Enter" door decoration is the WINNER! I'm pretty sure my mom wouldn't mind having this decoration up all year long! :) Her decorations will me coming down soon. Thank you to everyone who participated in voting!

My mom enjoyed the trunk or treat at assisted living this year. This event was held last week. She would go and grab handfuls of treats from every vehicle and she made everyone laugh. She loved seeing a dog dressed up as a pumpkin. She was able to have Nate and Sammy (her son and granddaughter) go a long with her to trunk or treat. The assisted living provided chili, corn bread muffins, candy, drinks, and treats. It was a fun time for everyone!

Paul carved a pumpkin to help support Frontotemporal Dementia. I haven't seen many pumpkins for FTD. I mostly see pumpkins for Alzheimer's. #EndFTD #ThinkFTD

Paul bought a monkey head from Walmart earlier this month. He wore the monkey head coming out of Walmart to make my mom smile & laugh. It worked. I decided to put the monkey head on one day too, just to see my mom smile. My mom kept calling me a "weirdo". That's probably the first time that I have had my mom call me a "weirdo". I guess I will admit, that I was being a weirdo that day.

I challenge you all to do something for someone else .. .. .. ..

JUST TO SEE THEM SMILE!

It's a rewarding feeling to see someone smile because of something you have done.

We hope you have had a great October and we are looking forward to November!

Goodbye, October! We welcome, November, tomorrow!

P.S. to myself. I just want to note this for me to remember. I was showing my mom photos of her Halloween 2014. I thought for sure she would remember this Halloween. It was a fun Halloween and something she spoke about daily, that year. I was surprised when she told me, just the other day, that she doesn't remember that time. It shouldn't be a surprise to me to hear that, but it still is.

Holiday Fun

Halloween Door Decoration Contest

October 09, 2017

My mom is ready for Halloween to come! Her room is all decked out in Halloween decorations. My mom has her window and 3 doors decorated for Halloween.

We thought it would be fun to have a Halloween Door Decoration Contest and have you help us decide which door is everyone's favorite!

Please help us! Which door do you like the best? :)

Door #1

Door #2

Door # 3

I like them all, but I would choose door #1. It fits well because, my mom doesn't like random people, going into her room. This is a decoration that she would probably like to have up all year long.

As you can see, these decorations brought a smile to my mom's face. She was excited when we said we will have a contest to see which door has the best decoration on it.

We will let you know which door is the winner! Thank you for helping us entertain my mom this October!

Let the contest begin! :)

We hope you have a spooky and scary Halloween!