One Family's Journey through Alzheimer's [Paperback]

Mary B. Walsh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2000

Mary B. Walsh and her husband made a promise to his grandmother that she would never be placed in a nursing home. After the family moved to Pennsylvania, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and the family held to its promise of care. Told with humor, love, and compassion, this is the story of how that decision affected the entire family. It is a book that will encourage anyone in a similar situation and show that despite the illness, the rest of life does not stop.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842340955
• ISBN-13: 978-0842340953
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,436,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Gem, January 11, 2001

By 

Kelley S. Dold (Stratham, NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Family's Journey through Alzheimer's (Paperback)

Crawling into bed at midnight, I thought to at least begin the first chapter of this book. After several hours of crying and laughing, while trying not to wake my husband, I finally turned out the light at 3 in the morning.

Who would have thought a book about Alzheimer's would be so fascinating? That's because it's more than what it seems. A poignant story of not just the subject, Gramma, but also what takes place all around her as a family seeks to honor a promise, care for an ailing, confused loved one all the while raising a family and dealing with their fair share of life's trials. Told with depth, emotion and much humor! A good book for anyone who needs to know that God is in control no matter what! I highly recommend this book!

Thank you, Mary Walsh, for your willingness to let us into your life....I look forward to your next book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, December 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: One Family's Journey through Alzheimer's (Paperback)

On first opening this book I intended only to glance at the contents page and last chapter (my usual procedure). An hour and a half later, I had to feed my family but came right back. Around 1 am I nodded off -- near the end -- and finished it the next evening.

Mary Walsh a gifted story teller. This isn't an action adventure but she kept me turning pages. Dealing with Grandma's Alzheimer's dominated all the events of her family's life for six years. The Walshes are devout Christians and the importance of their faith during this journey is evident.

This book is written in a simple, warm and engaging style and I highly recommend it. If you've lived with a loved one's Alzheimer's, you'll smile often in recognition. If you know little about dementia, you'll wonder if their situation was typical. It was. If you're dealing with Alzheimer's now, you'll find here an encouraging friend.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful, brightening book. Buy it!, November 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: One Family's Journey through Alzheimer's (Paperback)

The beautiful cover and overall book design emits warmth and calls you to the story inside. By contrast the title is, well, boring -- almost guttural to say. A bit of errata slipped through here and there in this first edition -- some page numbering and the like. But you won't notice for the tears in your eyes -- now from laughter -- now from cries.

Family -- Journey -- Alzheimer's -- These words, when together, often mean a family journey alone. Some of you know what I mean...

Here is the author's ONE LINE DESCRIPTION that got the publisher's eye.

"One Family's Journey through Alzheimer's" is the story of a young families well intentioned promise to care for their aging relatives that quickly shifts to an all consuming Alzheimer's caregiving journey and finally. Through an onslaught of unexpected events and volatile, very public, social issues become a fight for their very survival as a family."

What could this be all about? -- from chapter 26 entitled....

- I Wish You Hadn't Asked That

"The following Monday morning I was attempting to get things in perspective. Ed had gone to work. I was standing at the sink doing dishes, thinking about all that had happened. I noticed two well-dressed men walking toward the door. I was not in the mood to be proselytized."

Then in the author's smiling humor adds, as if to say, "I was relieved,"

"It was just the FBI." (Pg. 160)

This is a delightful, brightening book and a very, very true story. Highly recommended.

Oh, and Amazon. You can keep the $50 gift certificate -- I already have the greatest gift God can give a man in this oft-times sad, "vale of tears." You see, a long time ago I had the good sense to marry the author. :-) One of the few really good decisions of my life. (Proverbs 19:14)

Ed Walsh (husband of Mary)

Now for those who really, really want just a bit more now...

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

My original intent was to share the experience, the struggles, heartache a family goes through while caring for a loved one stricken with Alzheimer's. The plan was to write it honestly, candidly, in hopes that others going through this very stressful experience would benefit, seeing how we survived. But there was a greater story in the works than I was unaware of which unfolded within those seven years.

My purpose now is to share this incredible family story, which demonstrates the fact that we are not exempt as Christians from the effects of sin around us, the pull of the world on our children, and the frailty of the flesh when pushed beyond measure. The Lord allows many "unplanned" situations into our best-laid plans, and proves Himself faithful to the end."

"For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." (Psalm 103:14)

From the INTRODUCTION...

"This book began as a personal journal, which I have kept since early in my marriage twenty-seven years ago. As the years moved on this story unfolded -- so different a story than we had planned or hoped for. Writing became a very necessary outlet for the struggles I faced on every hand. I enjoyed it! Yet, the more I wrote, the clearer it became that my story is only one of the thousands that could be shared. Families all over the world are in similar, equally difficult caregiving situations -- wishing others could understand. They may never have the opportunity to write about it -- so my story is also their story."