A Curious Kind of Widow

The following is from the Foreward I wrote for this wonderful book: Ann first chronicled the early stages of her spouse's disease in Alzheimer's - A Love Story. In this sequel, she describes her beloved Julian's decline into the late stages and her struggle to cope with his moods and behaviors. At times Ann is beside herself with anger and sadness while at other times she is full of joy and kindness. At all times, however, she is honest about her thoughts and feelings. She uses her diary to sort through her confusion and focus on what is important. She eventually discovers that she can still love Julian in spite of his severe impairments. Although a unique account, this book will give strength to others on their own journey into Alzheimer's disease. With clarity and insight, Ann describes many markers on her long journey: enlisting the help of others, enrolling Julian in an adult day center, moving him into a residential care facility, and visiting him regularly until he dies peacefully. Each transition is marked by losses that she faces courageously. Ann credits her family, friends, and care providers for enabling her and Julian to live fully in spite of his decline and her grief. However, she chose to face the loneliness of caring for her husband and found personal meaning amidst countless challenges. This is an exquisite story that demonstrates that love is truly a challenging verb.

Ann Davidson has an uncanny ability to bring us into her life, with all its tribulations as well as its humor. This is not a tome on Alzheimer's disease, but rather an intimate look at what life as the wife of an Alzheimer's patient can be like. You will laugh aloud one minute and brush away a tear the next, and when you finish reading the book you will feel richer for having done so.

Plenty of books cover the symptoms and early treatment of Alzheimer's, but here's the rest of the story: coping with its later stages. A CURIOUS KIND OF WIDOW: LOVING A MAN WITH ADVANCED ALZHEIMER'S takes up where her first book left off, telling of the progress of her husband's disease and how it changed her life and their marriage. From the escalating problems from a caretaker's viewpoint to personality charms despite increasing limitations, A CURIOUS KIND OF WIDOW provides personal insights on a depersonalizing disease. Diane C. Donovan, Editor California Bookwatch

The author shares in a "A Curious Kind of Widow" her agonizing experience having to place her loved husband in an Alzheimer's Care Center. She is a curious widow because he is dead and alive at the same time. The whole family, even children and friends are affected and involved. She goes into great detail which at times brings tears and tightens my heart. But such is life happy and sad together. This book is a follow up to her previous "Alzheimer's, a Love Story" where she recounted diagnosis at age 57 and first years of her husband's illness. I have enjoyed both and will read her account of Julian Davidson's death if she writes it. I am thankful to Ann Davidson for openly sharing this most difficult life experience with her readers.

As a woman having faced this same heart wrenching decision I encourage anyone facing the same decision to read this book. Ms. Davidson takes us through our own feelings as if she knows us and lets us know our feelings are okay. It is a book of validation. When our hearts are ready to quit from loving too much we can still go on sometimes even if we don't want to. My husband is only 69. I took care of him at home for seven years until he had to be placed in residential care one year ago. I still grieve for him everyday.