This 212 page book is the day by day story of one wonderful, strong woman’s progressive loss to Lewy Body Dementia. May Nancy’s nine years be a guide to the families of loved ones with the disease, providing a timeline of understanding for their unfortunate loss.Lewy Body Dementia robbed me of my wife, Nancy, my sons of their mother, my grandchildren of their grandmother, her brothers and sisters of their sibling, acquaintances everywhere of a kind, intelligent, sensitive, caring friend. She was an usually selfless person who cared little about anything, including her health, other than putting the needs of others before herself. She didn’t care much about the future, didn’t worry about the past. She lived in the moment, content and happy, relishing opportunities to listen to people, to talk, to encourage. Lewy Body Dementia stole her love of communicating. She gradually lost the ability to express herself through words. Soon thereafter she could no longer understand what was being said to her.Nancy was a strong woman of faith. Plagued by a wickedly cruel disease the last nine years of her life, she rarely complained, was seldom bitter, never lost faith in her God. Her nine year struggle with Lewy Body Dementia can serve as a guide for other families with loved ones suffering from this awful disease. Reading the enclosed excerpts will give you a good idea of what your loved one is going through today and where she’ll be tomorrow. That’s the purpose of this book: to guide families by helping them understand a timeline of the disease’s typical progression, thereby fulfilling what Nancy said was her last goal in life: to help other people in whatever way she could.It is my hope to distribute an electronic version of the book to members of dementia organizations and professional caregivers. Printed 8”x8” paperback copies of the book are available for $45 + shipping.

This 212 page book is the day by day story of one wonderful, strong woman’s progressive loss to Lewy Body Dementia. May Nancy’s nine years be a guide to the families of loved ones with the disease, providing a timeline of understanding for their unfortunate loss.

Lewy Body Dementia robbed me of my wife, Nancy, my sons of their mother, my grandchildren of their grandmother, her brothers and sisters of their sibling, acquaintances everywhere of a kind, intelligent, sensitive, caring friend. She was an usually selfless person who cared little about anything, including her health, other than putting the needs of others before herself. She didn’t care much about the future, didn’t worry about the past. She lived in the moment, content and happy, relishing opportunities to listen to people, to talk, to encourage. Lewy Body Dementia stole her love of communicating. She gradually lost the ability to express herself through words. Soon thereafter she could no longer understand what was being said to her.

Nancy was a strong woman of faith. Plagued by a wickedly cruel disease the last nine years of her life, she rarely complained, was seldom bitter, never lost faith in her God. Her nine year struggle with Lewy Body Dementia can serve as a guide for other families with loved ones suffering from this awful disease. Reading the enclosed excerpts will give you a good idea of what your loved one is going through today and where she’ll be tomorrow. That’s the purpose of this book: to guide families by helping them understand a timeline of the disease’s typical progression, thereby fulfilling what Nancy said was her last goal in life: to help other people in whatever way she could.

It is my hope to distribute an electronic version of the book to members of dementia organizations and professional caregivers. Printed 8”x8” paperback copies of the book are available for $45 + shipping.

Reviews

I could barely stop reading your book. This is a beautiful love story and raw and truthful accounting of what this terrible disease rains upon all who are involved. You’ve made a remarkable contribution with this—for others who may experience this disease or other dementia, for your family and friends, and of course for you. The photos add a lot, too. 

Bonnie Brownlee, Associate Dean (retired), The Media School, Indiana University

This is just beautiful. So lovingly written and honest. What a gift to be able to write with such grace and openness about Nancy. Her life lives on within those who read this book and know of her heartfelt journey. This will help so many families. 

Nancy Thrane, Director, Pacific Pines

Beautiful and heartbreaking love story! This project must have been so difficult for you and your family. The last few pictures are heartbreaking. I hope your book touches and prepares many souls for a disease that is not forgiving.

Elizabeth Gamez, Securities Broker

I really love it because even though it describes Nancy’s struggles and her decline and your difficulties, too, it also lets Nancy shine through. You really did an amazing job—something many people just couldn’t do because it would be too difficult.

Joanne Tringham, friend, neighbor, caregiver

I’m so glad you did this. I just read the preface. Moved to tears. Streaming down my cheeks. This will be an emotional read.

Donavan Kerr, Airline Captain

By writing this book, you have truly made Nancy’s and your struggle that of others as well, and it will be a great encouragement for others. You ‘made it’ and you were also, by God’s grace, able to make everyday for her one of peace and joy even though she may not have been able to communicate that at the end.

Karen Kay Perry, longtime friend