This is a memoir of the author's 20 years of caring for her husband, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in his early 50s. A successful medical doctor, Harvey denied the reality of his problem, aided by his colleagues, who refused to accept there could be anything seriously wrong. Only Meryl knew, and there were several years of frustration while she tried to get a diagnosis.
Harvey also became quite violent, and full- time aides had to be hired, as she could not handle him on her own. He was basically asked to leave one residential facility, because he could not be controlled, and Meryl eventually decided she could do better at home with him. In the middle of all this, her mother is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, so she moves in as well.
Harvey eventually became worse, losing his speech, and Meryl never knew if he recognized her. She became involved with a foundation established for Alzheimer's research, and she found that this involvement saved her sanity.
As the book ends, she is taking part in a study to see if she will develop the same disease.
Some of the phrases she used struck a chord with me:
His internal navigational compass has shut down. His disease is my crossword puzzle.
No disease should have as its victim both the patient and the caregiver.But that is exactly what is happening every minute of every day.
The most challenging point in his illness was when he was on the border between who he had always been and what would characterize the rest of his life.
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