Partner’s Primary Progressive Aphasia, FTD Diagnosis

cmusel001

Hello, all,

While my partner’s receptive language (understanding) is unchanged, his expressive capacity has deteriorated a lot. In addition he is developing other slight neurological symptoms, the most terrifying of which is difficulty swallowing. I will soon be investing in a device to help me respond to any choking event. Our neurologist says that he is in the early stages of all of this and went on to describe the course of his particular type of FTD in the years to come. He is 78 and quite stoic so when we left the doctor’s office he said that that was all “useful information” and that our neurologist (because I am included in this treatment) was “refreshingly direct”. While I am extremely grateful that the disease has so far produced any behavioral symptoms, I am just beginning to wrap my head around that fact that all of these symptoms lead to increased disability. I am sure some of you have travelled much further down the road with your LO. Any advice? Thank you.