Customer Reviews

One Family's Journey through Alzheimer's

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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!

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.

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."

As I started this book, I did not expect to be so drawn into it. It is a quick read-mostly because you are so drawn into the life of this family that you won't want to put it down. It not only deals with a family member with Alzheimer's, it deals with every member of the family, and into Mrs. Walsh's extended family as well. As I finished this book, I felt I knew the Walsh family personally! As a person in the medical field, I encouarge EVERY healthcare provider to read it to get a firsthand look a what the family and patient go through...then let it guide you be a more compassionate person. As a child of aging parents, it is a must! It gives such insight and respect into an older person's world. As a spouse it gives such encouragement that if the Walsh's marriage could withstand years of testing, there is hope that marriages can survive trials and tribulations in every day life. As a child of God it gives such a reaffirmation of God's abundent love and grace to those that will trust in Him. Bravo, Mrs. Walsh, I look forward to your next novel!

Going through having a loved one with Alzheimer's is enough, but that's not all that happens to most of us during that time; there are many other family concerns, and so many stories to tell. Mary Walsh tells them all in this wonderful book that will make you laugh at times and cry at others. Mary's husband's grandmother and her Alzheimer's is the focus of this book, and it is around this that most of both the funny and tearful stories revolve. Mary and her family cared for "Gram" during the years I was with my mother as her caregiver. "Gram" died in a nursing home in May 1996, in the month following my mother's death, and there are many similarities. Unlike me, however, but probably like many of you, Mary had the concerns of four generations of family members who were surrounding here. If you are a caregiver or former caregiver of someone with Alzheimer's, I'm sure that you, too, will find much in common with this family's story. Mary presents it delightfully, in a very readable manner which includes conversation, journal entries, and her poems. Through all the tears and the laughter, the family's strong faith shines through, and if you are a caregiver, you will be encouraged through reading this book, and you will know that you, too, can make it.