specific groups

Maybe it's because I don't have a parent currently struggling with Alzheimer's or maybe because I was listening to the book and not actually reading it, but when the second CD ended, I just couldn't bring myself to put the third one in. I felt almost as if I was caught in the hallway with a coworker who kept droning on and on, oblivious to the fact that I wasn't really listening anymore and had somewhere else I needed to be...20 minutes ago. I listen to books on my commute to fill my time and take my mind off of traffic, but I found myself sighing and not following the story, because quite honestly, in my opinion there isn't much of one. Granted, I didn't give the book a real chance, but after the first two hours, I felt no indication that it was going to get any better. It was almost out of politeness that I brought myself to flip to the third disk, but then I realized no one would ever know that I didn't finish this book unless I told them. So I didn't.

Ms. Miller did a wonderful job putting together the story of her father's illness and how it became intertwined with her life. I used to work with Alzheimer's and dementia patients and saw how difficult it was for families, not to mention the person suffering. Many families fall apart because they can not make sense of what is happening to their parent, but it was encouraging to see someone stick by and care for their parent. I think this memoir accurately portrays the slow loss all people involved go through. Its a great book for caretakers and anyone touched by this disease.

It was nice to read of Sue's experience, as I am now going down a simalar path with my mother. There were many things she said that are happening in my case and it was indeed good to know I was not alone. I have similar thoughts and feelings and to see the similarities to my mom's case was enlightening. The book will make the next steps easier as I know much more what to expect from the disease and what I can do and to asuage my guilt feelings. Thanks for writing this.