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

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A memoir of a daughter, her parents and the Beast named - Alzheimer's: A story of Life, Love and Death, Deborah Ann Tornillo chronicles the time spent taking care of her mother and father, both of whom were diagnosed with Alzheimer's in February 2006.

"I didn't know when I would tell this story, I just knew I would," Tornillo writes. "Both my mother and father had Alzheimer's; my Mom was further along in the disease process than my Dad. It was an incredible journey spending the last year and a half of their life with them, slowly watching the disease take its toll."

36 Days Apart recounts this painful, enlightening journey, and Tornillo writes candidly about the struggles and fears she faced as her parents' caregiver. When the diagnosis came in 2006, Tornillo bravely faced the reality that she would need to take care of them full-time. At first, this entailed monthly flights back and forth to her home state, but it quickly became apparent that the Alzheimer's was progressing in both parents much more quickly than first anticipated.

As their disease progressed, Tornillo was faced with the difficult task of learning how to be a parent to her own parents. Through the year and a half of caring for them she extensively researched Alzheimer's in order to provide the best care possible, all the while knowing that the disease would eventually win in the end. She found herself saying goodbye to her father first, but little did she know that her mother would pass away just 36 days later.

36 Days Apart gives an honest, unflinching look at the realities of caring for and losing loved ones to Alzheimer's. Tornillo gives the reader an inside look into the day-to-day life she faced during her heartbreaking, difficult time. "The two most important things I learned from my parents as we traveled this road together was how to stay strong in faith and never lose compassion for others or myself," she writes. "I was blessed to have learned from them their wisdom of life and death. I have faith that as you read my parent's story you will gain the strength and wisdom needed to guide you."

From the Author

DEBORAH ANN TORNILLO was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas by her loving and nurturing parents. She attended the University of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she studied Art. After marrying, raising two daughters and enjoying life with her family, Deborah joined a higher calling by committing to be the primary caregiver for her parents, both of whom were diagnosed with Alzheimer's in February 2006.

In her new collection of memoirs, 36 Days Apart: A memoir of a daughter, her parents and the Beast named - Alzheimer's: A story of Life, Love and Death, Deborah chronicles the time spent taking care of her mother and father.

36 Days Apart recounts this painful, enlightening journey, and Tornillo writes candidly about the struggles and fears she faced as her parents' caregiver. As their disease progressed, Tornillo was faced with the difficult task of learning how to be a parent to her own parents. Through the year and a half of caring for them she extensively researched Alzheimer's in order to provide the best care possible, all the while knowing that the disease would eventually win in the end.

36 Days Apart gives an honest, unflinching look at the realities of caring for and losing loved ones to Alzheimer's. Tornillo gives the reader an inside look into the day-to-day life she faced during her heartbreaking, difficult time.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse; 1st edition (April 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1438952333
• ISBN-13: 978-1438952338
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #837,646 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Insight - Must Read, April 29, 2009

By	Magic Man (Florida) - See all my reviews

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, April 30, 2009

By	#1 Limoncello Producer (Frederick, MD) - See all my reviews

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family friends since 1946, June 1, 2009

By	John R. Mc Cormick - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!