Living in the Labyrinth: A Personal Journey Through the Maze of Alzheimer'sLiving In The Labyrinth is the story of how one woman found the strength and the courage to cope with a devastating disease that has afflicted five million Americans. Far from being an exercise in self-pity or a standard autobiography, this is an unflinching and ultimately uplifting look at a debilitating illness from the inside out. “Somewhere there is that ever-present reminder list of what I am supposed to do today. But I cannot find it. I attempt to do the laundry and find myself outside, in my backyard, holding soiled clothes. How did I get here? How do I get back?” Only forty-five when she first began to struggle with the memory lapses and disorientation that signal the onset of Alzheimer’s, Diana Friel McGowin has written a courageous, stirring insider’s story of the disease that is now the fourth leading killer of American adults. Diana’s personal journey through days of darkness and light, fear and hope gives us new insight into a devastating illness and the plight of its victims, complete with a list of early warning signs, medical background, and resources for further information. But Diana’s story goes far beyond a recounting of a terrifying disease. It portrays a marriage struggling to survive, a family hurt beyond words, and a woman whose humor and intelligence triumph over setbacks and loss to show us the best of what being human is. “A stunner of a book . . . it takes the reader on a terrifying but enlightening journey.”—San Antonio News Express “Touching and sometimes angry . . . a poignant insider’s view.”—The Cincinnati Enquirer |
Contents
Initial Testing | 11 |
Change of Direction | 23 |
Secondary Testing | 32 |
Copyright | |
10 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Living in the Labyrinth: A Personal Journey Through the Maze of Alzheimer's Diana Friel McGowin No preview available - 1994 |
Living in the Labyrinth: A Personal Journey Through the Maze of Alzheimer's Diana Friel McGowin No preview available - 1994 |
Common terms and phrases
advised Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Disease amyloid arrived asked attempt attorney became become began belly dancing brain scan caregivers cause clinical clothes dryer confusion coping dancing Dear Diane dementia deteriorate diagnosis DIANA FRIEL MCGOWIN Diane Friel doctor drove early early-onset Elise escorted eyes favorite fear feel fellow traveler felt finally former classmates friends frustration genetic give husband Jack knew Kurt Fuller Kurt's labyrinth laughed Living looked loss lost lumbar puncture Lynn Marie memory Michael Mullan moral support multi-infarct multi-infarct dementia neurological neurologist never Onset Orlando parking lot Perhaps plateau Ponce Inlet problems procedure psychologist realized remember requested restroom reunion Scampi Shaun smiled someone suddenly support group symptoms tears telephone tell thought tion told Transient Ischemic Attack tried understand victims voice walked wanted woman word processor worry