How
do I write a book review on something that’s personal, not just a subject of
interest? How do I write a review on a
book that stirs up memories and emotions from the six most difficult years of
my life? That’s my challenge as I try to
sum up on thoughts on Before I Forget by B. Smith and Dan
Gasby with Michael Shnayerson.
I
looked at this book, Before I Forget, and read the
description a number of times before I decided to take the leap and read B. Smith and Dan Gasby’s experience on
the Alzheimer’s. I knew it would bring
back the memories from the years my mother battled Alzheimer’s; a losing a
battle she and our family had to endure.
Before I Forget was indeed painful to read; but I urge you to
read it anyway. It’s made all the more
painful because B. is far too young to endure the indignities that Alzheimer’s
inflicts on her daily and ultimately the robbery of her memories, her
personality and finally physically as she succumbs to this horrible
disease. But I thank God for B. and her
beloved husband Dan Gasby who are willing to be open and transparent and be the
face of Alzheimer’s to help educate people and raise awareness and funding for
this important and hugely impacting ugly, ugly awful disease.
Before I Forget would have been very helpful when I was going
through this with my mother. I would
have found relief and comfort knowing that others have felt similar emotions
that I experienced. Dan shared a lot of
information about various treatments that may be beneficial and the latest drug research. Some progress
has been made since my mother died in 2008.
One of the biggest advances is being able to diagnose Alzheimer’s with a
PET scan. Just a few years ago that wasn’t
possible.
It
was alarming and disheartening to read about the disparity of funding for
Alzheimer’s compared to other diseases, especially considering the number of
people and families affected. I had
never heard about the greater incidence of Alzheimer’s in the African –American
community, nor the reluctance of people in that community to participate in medical
studies. I was stunned to read about the
Tuskegee research which was unconscionable at best and criminal at worst. After reading about that, I can understand
why some people might be jaded and hesitant to participate in medical research. I applaud Dan’s persuasive arguments to
participate in spite of research history.
I
appreciated the detailed explanations of the various stages of
Alzheimer’s. That would have been very
helpful, not only to understand what stage my mother was in, but also to know
what the road up ahead was going to be like.
What
I loved the most in this book was the open sharing from B. and Dan, her husband,
as he is watching the woman he loves robbed daily. How blessed they both are, but especially B.
to have a man committed to being there with her and for her and her
advocate. Their daughter Dana has been a
huge support and help.
One
word of caution, if you are offended by profanity, I want you to be aware that there
is some salty language in this book, but not a lot. I found myself sad that Dan
and B. do not have the benefit of faith in Christ to undergird them and carry
them through each day along with the support of a church family. I pray that they will meet God in the midst
of this battle.
One
memorable line from Dan was, “Don’t fear Alzheimer’s. Hate it!
And Fight Back – with the one weapon we have, money, to develop the drug
that finally beats it.”
I
highly recommend Before I Forget by B. Smith and Dan Gasby. I wish I had this book when my mother battled
Alzheimer’s. I recommend this book to
anyone who is stricken with this wretched disease as well as the family and
friends whose lives have been or will be greatly impacted.
I
would like to thank Blogging for Books
and Harmony Books for the opportunity to read Before I Forget in
exchange for an honest review. I was
under no obligation to give a favorable review.
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