Customer Reviews

36 Days Apart: A memoir of a daughter, her parents and the Beast named – Alzheimer’s: A story of Life, Love and Death.

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Perfect book and a lifesaver for anyone, especially caregivers, family members or anyone who wants to understand the total effects of "The Beast". Before reading this book I was convinced that many of the behaviors that I felt and saw were unique to my family and me. Thank you for opening our eyes and allowing us to see into your soul. Your wisdom, concern, awareness and ability to write about your experiences have made a difference for me, and I am certain it will do the same for many others who read your book.

This is a great read, especially for anyone who has experienced Alzheimer's first hand. The truth's this book uncovers brings a very real aspect to the authors situation. During my reading, I found myself amazed at her strength during the situation, as well as saddened that she experienced it at all. The tagline "a story of life, love and death" is well suited for such an emotional book. I felt the sadness she felt while going through the last year and a half of her parents life, and couldn't help but be pulled into the story and forced to imagine the sadness I will feel with the loss of my own parents. I highly recommend this book.

Met the Jurecko's in 1946. Debbie completed the life journey in her great book. Knowing the family, the loss of her brother Danny in Vietnam, caused me many tears making it difficult to read, but didn't stop me from realizing what a fantastic written work she acccomplished. Please purchase, please read!

Deborah has shared her story; her parents love and devotion to one another, and the disease of alzheimer's "The Beast" that took both of them, only 36 Days Apart. Deborah writes with her bittersweet emotions and truth. This is a love story. Deborah's book also includes information that is very helpful.

Kay Knapp

I thought I was only going to take a few quick glances thru the book 36 Days Apart but after the first few sentences I knew that I would sit and read the book in its entirety.The outpour of love and respect that Deborah shows for her parents is just overwhelming.I am not real sure I could have accomplished what she did. My heart goes out to her for doing all she did do.
The research she did on the disease and getting it across to the reader was also of value,very factual and informative. Her explanations of being overly tired and having to "take a break" should ring true with anyone that ever was a "care giver" for a family member or a friend.
My humble thanks to her for this book and for those who saw it worthwhile to publish.

Richard F. Uherik

This is a very well written book and I couldn't put it down until I finished the whole thing. Very informative about parents, or anyone with Alzheimer's.

There are many good books out there to read on Alzheimer's. The situations are different for everyone involved. I just picked up a book called 36 DAYS APART BY DEBORAH ANN TORNILLO. In this book she lives in Virgina and her parents live in Texas. She starts by telling us about her phone call from her sister in Feb. 2006 stating that on her visits with mom and dad on Sundays, something didn't seem right. She started noticing little things first like the house was a little messier than usual, no food in the refrigerator, and that their appearance was being neglected. This was hard for Deborah to imagine so she boarded a plane to see for herself.

This started a new change of events. She started on her conquest of searching for answers. Thank heavens for the Internet, and all the information she was able to obtain. In her story she watched with each visit how her parents digressed. She took control of their health affairs, finances, and living arrangements. She became the parent, still trying to let them think they were in charge.

She convinced them to move closer to her, so she could take care of them better,by first moving into an apartment in Virgina. After her mom wondered off one evening she found them an Assisted Living Faculty to live in. As the Alzheimer's disease got worse, they had to be moved to a place that was better equipped in taking care of her parents.

As we read this memoir, we can feel the emotions going through Debbie as she is trying to care for her parents. Her dad who is her 'rock' had a stroke first. His health failed him and with her assurance that mom would be taken care of he went on to be with the Lord. Than 36 days later, her mom followed him. But her mom was able to look at Debbie and say I LOVE YOU, before she passed on.

If you are going through this situation, and have your loved one in a nursing faculty, you may want to read this book and get some in site from Debbie. You can feel her strenght,love, and sadness.


MARIE FOSTINO
AUTHOR: ALZHEIMER'S A CARETAKERS JOURNAL
[...]

This book is for anybody who is a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimers. Even if you don't know anybody with this insidious disease, this is a heartfelt, loving read. I highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed this book..I set out to start this book one night and once I got started I could not put it down. This book makes u cry, laugh but helps u understand the meaning of a lot of things. Debbie really knew how to capture the reader and help u understand the true demons within this horrible illness. I truly believe Alzheimer"s is the cruelest because when we grow older and all we have left is our memories, it steals that from u. This book also made me realize how blessed I was as a child for the wonderful parents I had,and thank u Debbie for reminding me of that..You have a gift Debbie, I hope u continue to use it...Do yourself a favor and read this book..You will be blessed by it.

This book is a very touching story, told directly from the heart, of how a wonderful daughter was able to share the last year and a half of her parents' lives. The author embraced spending time with her mother and father, and was able to enjoy them fully as their health deteriorated. She is the role model for how we all would want our children to treat us as we age. Debbie is the rare gem who didn't see this as a chore or an obligation, but as an honor. Clearly she made her parents proud until their last breath, and should be able to move forward with her life knowing that she did the absolute best that anybody could expect.