A Curious Kind of Widow: Loving a Man with Advanced Alzheimer's [Paperback]

Ann Davidson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2006

An intimate portrayal of a loving couple's struggle to accept the ravages of Alzheimer's while continuing to celebrate life and each other. A caregiver for her husband during the later stages of his disease, Ann was determined to stay in loving contact, but also to build a new life for herself. Through five sections of personal vignettes, Ann addresses difficult questions, including: How much longer can she care for her husband alone’ How and when will she make the choice for residential care’ How will she deal with the inevitable letting go’ Walking by the lake near the care center one day Julian stops his gibberish long enough to tell her, I’m okay, really okay. Now you be okay too.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ann Davidson, a breast cancer survivor, was a former speech and language pathologist. She is now a volunteer at the Alzheimer’s Assoc. Northern California Nevada chapter. She is the author of Modified Radical and Other Cancer Poems and Alzheimer’s: A Love Story, One Year in My Husband’s Journey. She lives in Palo Alto, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 333 pages
• Publisher: Daniel & Daniel Publishers; 1 edition (January 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156474454X
• ISBN-13: 978-1564744548
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #907,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Daniel Kuhn, author of Alzheimer's Early Stages, November 16, 2006

By 

Daniel Kuhn (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Curious Kind of Widow: Loving a Man with Advanced Alzheimer's (Paperback)

The following is from the Foreward I wrote for this wonderful book:

Ann first chronicled the early stages of her spouse's disease in Alzheimer's - A Love Story. In this sequel, she describes her beloved Julian's decline into the late stages and her struggle to cope with his moods and behaviors. At times Ann is beside herself with anger and sadness while at other times she is full of joy and kindness. At all times, however, she is honest about her thoughts and feelings. She uses her diary to sort through her confusion and focus on what is important. She eventually discovers that she can still love Julian in spite of his severe impairments.

Although a unique account, this book will give strength to others on their own journey into Alzheimer's disease. With clarity and insight, Ann describes many markers on her long journey: enlisting the help of others, enrolling Julian in an adult day center, moving him into a residential care facility, and visiting him regularly until he dies peacefully. Each transition is marked by losses that she faces courageously. Ann credits her family, friends, and care providers for enabling her and Julian to live fully in spite of his decline and her grief. However, she chose to face the loneliness of caring for her husband and found personal meaning amidst countless challenges. This is an exquisite story that demonstrates that love is truly a challenging verb.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loving an ill husband, May 3, 2006

By 

S. N. Rivera Burgos (Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Curious Kind of Widow: Loving a Man with Advanced Alzheimer's (Paperback)

The author shares in a "A Curious Kind of Widow" her agonizing experience having to place her loved husband in an Alzheimer's Care Center. She is a curious widow because he is dead and alive at the same time. The whole family, even children and friends are affected and involved. She goes into great detail which at times brings tears and tightens my heart. But such is life happy and sad together.

This book is a follow up to her previous "Alzheimer's, a Love Story" where she recounted diagnosis at age 57 and first years of her husband's illness. I have enjoyed both and will read her account of Julian Davidson's death if she writes it.

I am thankful to Ann Davidson for openly sharing this most difficult life experience with her readers.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Curious Kind of Widow:Loving a Man with Advanced Alzheimer's, April 20, 2006

By 

Joy Hamilton (La Plata, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Curious Kind of Widow: Loving a Man with Advanced Alzheimer's (Paperback)

As a woman having faced this same heart wrenching decision I encourage anyone facing the same decision to read this book. Ms. Davidson takes us through our own feelings as if she knows us and lets us know our feelings are okay. It is a book of validation. When our hearts are ready to quit from loving too much we can still go on sometimes even if we don't want to. My husband is only 69. I took care of him at home for seven years until he had to be placed in residential care one year ago. I still grieve for him everyday.