In February it was evident something was wrong with my mother. Her speech was clear but not making sense. She couldn’t follow a conversation, she was withdrawn. Her short-term memory was clearly impacted as well as her long term. It seemed like a stroke, but it wasn’t. Possibly dementia? But it came on so fast, it didn’t add up.
March 15th she was diagnosed with an Infiltrating Astrocytoma tumor, grade IV. It’s a brain tumor in all parts of her brain, but it’s most heavily impacted in her left frontal lobe. This is the lobe that controls your speech, expression, all things that make you, you. Her mobility is also impacted particularly on her right side, so she is unable to write, use a spoon or fork well, etc. Her problem solving skills are also impaired so she needs full time care.
She can respond at times to simple questions but she can’t always produce the correct response. Some days she is aware of all that is going on, and other days she has spells where she forgets who I am, and also who she is. These spells are happening more frequently as the tumor progresses.
Currently she can still understand what is happening and what is being said to her. Her sense of humor is still intact and hearing her laugh is what brings me the most joy these days. This sadly too will go, and quickly. She recently has started to experience small seizures due to the tumor taking over more parts of her brain.
Last night as I was helping her to bed, I thought of all the people who have reached out and shared quick notes about their memories with my mom. I would love a way to more easily share these with her with the time she has left.
I’ve set up an e-mail via my web page natalie@momcatchingon.com to allow anyone who wants to send me a note or memory about my mother. I’d love to be able to read them to her throughout the day, to make her smile and laugh.
These bittersweet memories are things I find people share with loved ones and family members after that person is gone. During this twilight time that I have left to share with her, it would be amazing to give her those gifts of moments you’ve cherished with her before she leaves us.
Please share my page and e-mail with her friends and our family members who might not have social media accounts.
While she can’t express the gratitude to all of you for your thoughts, prayers, notes, and outreach, I can. And it’s been overwhelming. I’m so amazed at the outpouring of love for her from so many. Those of you I do know, and those I don’t.
Thank you again, and God bless you.
natalie@momcatchingon.com
Xoxo
Natalie
#debandnat #braintumor #braincancer #cancer
Mom Catching On 
Well some of our neighborhood stories probably can’t be posted on primetime. Deb will remember some of those. Always a great time in the neighborhood. Regardless of whose house we were at. Or out in the yard. Having a cold one and letting the kids run basically Wild. Justin remembers the pasture and it was like it was the kids his own Paradise. We had a great neighborhood.
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Hi Natalie,
This is your cousin Tammy Mann. My mom was Connie, my aunt is Sandy augustyn and my granny was Doris augustyn. I’m so sorry to hear this about Debbie. She often visited my mom when she was in the hospital in Lincoln throughout her cancer battle. Your mom told many stories about them all growing up as kids and they were very sweet and often funny. She always commented on everyone’s posts on fb and is always very positive. I now live in Arizona for the past 15 years but your mom is a very positive person and I’m sure thinking of all of you during this emotional time. I’m glad she’s with you and you can spend time with her and hopefully lift her spirits. Thanks for sharing the updates on Debbie and I’ll be praying for you all.
God bless, tammy
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Hello Natalie. My Granny Doris Augustyn and your Grandma Esther we’re sister in laws. So Your mom and my mom Connie Mann (Augustyn) and my Aunt Sandra Augustyn we’re cousins. I got to know your mom more when she would come and visit my mom in the hospital when she was sick with cancer. She was always involved in social media and I enjoyed her comments and posts. I’m sending my thoughts and prayers to you all. Thank you so much for sharing this, I know it’s very hard.
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Bless you Natalie for caring for your mom,as a nurse, I know many would not do it. Debi’s cousin Susie . Our prayers are with her and family!
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Natalie, I went to high school with your mom. She was 2 years behind me and graduated with my brother Bob Peterson and his wife Sally. We were all young newly weds and lived in R-Villa Court in Kearney, working and going to college. Those were great years!
My memories of your mom in high school were of her as a majorette, leading our band. She brought so much class because she was AMAZING!! She was well known!
I am so sorry to hear this news about her health! I think about her every day and I am sending my prayers for her, and for you Natalie! This is so hard for you too!
You graduated from high school with my son Luke Cox.
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Debbie you are so beautiful! I love your smile. I don’t know if you are spiritual but I will keep you in my prayers. I went to school with. I am a little bit older than you. I live in Lincoln and have been a OR nurse for over 40 years…..
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Natalie, your Mom and I are cousins. Ask her if she remembers sliding off the back of Diabolo’s back? That was the horse our Grandparents had. We weren’t very old but I remember catching her. We had many fun times at our Grandparents farm Some were questionable and probably dangerous but still fun. My Mother and your Grandpa Richard were brother and sister. take care. Sue
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Natalie I met your Mom at a parade of homes a little over 4 years ago. I wrote my name down and she asked if I was from Kearney. I did go to college there and my brother still lives there. Eventually she determined that she had taught my nephews in high school. She handled my the transaction of my current house with utmost professionalism. She is lovely woman and a great realtor. She might remember me when you tell her about Ike the Saint Bernard. God bless your Mom and to you and your family. I’ll continue to pray for her.
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Natalie – I worked with your mom at Woods Bros Realty, and didn’t go into the office much, but when I did run into Deb while there, we always enjoyed visiting. We always had stories to tell. I know she always looked forward to trips to see you and the grandchildren, or when you came here for a visit. You are a beautiful daughter, as are your children, and from what you are writing about your mom, I know why Deb was so proud of you. I don’t have a lot to share as far as stories, but I do know, she made wonderful cakes for our potlucks at work….I mean the best cakes I have ever tasted! She also had such a laugh when I found out Fred was her fiance instead of her brother. For some reason, she had said her brother was probably going to come with her to a function, and instead Fred came, so I always thought Fred was her brother. So when I found out they were engaged – I had this look on my face and said, “Fred isn’t your brother?” She laughed and had the biggest kick out of that.
This is the hard part of life, being with your mom and facing the painful reality of this type of cancer. I am praying for her and your family and am so saddened by this news. Please give her a hug from me!
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Natalie, I am so sorry to here about Deb. She is very lucky to have you to help her. I am Connie, one of your Mom’s Kearney friends. I remember you were still in high school when we met and she was so proud of you. We had a lot of good times when we went thru divorce care together. I think us talking afterwards did us way more good than the class we took.
A story we laughed about for years was when Deb got us tickets to the Storm hockey game. We were sitting there drinking our “big ass beers” after the 3rd period (we thought was the 3rd quarter) and all of the fans were getting up and leaving. I made a couple comments how rude it was of them not to stay and cheer on the team even tho the Storm was winning. This is how much we knew about hockey. It was over!! We laughed the rest of the night about that one!! We shared many good times together and I will never forget them. Prayers!!
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I am another Ord High Alumni, I graduated in 1973. I was in awe of your baton twirling abilities. It amazed me that you could March in front of the band and still twirl at same time. You completed the band, and we had a very good one back then. I am thinking of you and praying for comfort. Sincerely, Pat Peterson Setlik.
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Hi Deb and Natalie,
Deb, I’m so sorry to learn of this battle you are faced with. I’ve had you on my mind the last couple of weeks and will keep you in my prayers.
We just had prom here at KHS and Prom never comes around without me thinking about you! You should probably have earned a medal for endurance!
Natalie, you hav always been the light in you mom’s eyes and her biggest blessing. I know you probably have days that seem impossible to get through but when this journey ends you will count this time with your mom as some of the most precious.
Know that you are loved and that Bearcat Nation keeps you in our thoughts and prayers.
Deb
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