Living in the Labyrinth: A Personal Journey Through the Maze of Alzheimer's

When I first began my zealous quest to understand the disease of Alzheimer's, I stumbled across this book. To this day, it remains the most influential book I've read for understanding stages 1-5. Written in first person, it provides a soul-revealing glimpse into the maze of AD as one woman shares her quest to deal with the loss of function and depression accompanying this stage of the journey. Years later, I still pick it up occassionally to reconnect.

This amazing book is written by an Alzheimer's victim herself. Diana Friel McGowin began having symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease at age 45. She gives us an inside look at what it's like to have this disease, from the first symptoms noticed, through the ordeal of searching for a diagnosis, to the finality in the diagnosis itself and the daily losses that come. Diana has a wonderful attitude, finding comfort in her memories of simple things: the smell of the small town library of her childhood, the the taste of icicles on her tongue, the sight of the first daffodils of spring, lightning bugs, a train whistle, her grandmother's violin. What a wonderful way to view it all, as she says "I can sometimes enjoy the sweet fragrance of night blooming jasmine when no one else can." We, the children of Alzheimer's victims, hope that a cure can be found, but if it doesn't come in our time, we do have an example of radiant acceptance.

This is the first book I have read that let me know how the patient feels and see's this disease. I was concerned that my mother would know that she was loosing her mind. Diana has early onset Alzheimers and takes us on her personal & often fearful journey. God bless her. She counts her losses, her family counts what she has left. There is still a person inside, we sometimes forget that.

I am a patient with early onset Alzheimers. After reading this book I didn't feel so alone.

As a 61 year old male caregiver I know a bit about Alzheimer's. I have read many books on Alzheimer's telling me to take care of myself. This book tells of the events in a woman Alzheimer's victim's life from her viewpoint The tales of sexual frustration, fear and confusion are riviting. I was supposed to return the book to it's owner for a friend. I glanced inside and just kept reading. For days I was a better person since I realized what was going on for the person afflicted. I bought the book after I read it, and I have loaned it out to other people who have also been moved! I was amazed that such a good book could be written by one with Alzheimer's