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We Will All Be Caregivers
A Caregiver’s Love Story and Reference Guide is your memoir about not only caring for your dying husband but the life you had together. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I thought it was important to tell the reader what life as a caregiver was like. At some point in our lives, we will all be caregivers of some sort. My story is not unlike others, but I write things down so I can get it out of my head, and that way I can slow down and still be a loving wife instead of fussing about what I had to do to keep things running smoothly for Bill’s care. My writing, I hope will help others get through the experience of caring for someone and also losing them in the end.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
A lot of it was very sad to write, but not hard. and the final diagnosis and time frame given by the doctor for Bill’s life was breathtaking to say the least. We always knew that I would outlive him, but when the medical team tells you your loved has only a given amount of time to live, it takes on new meaning. Bill was given 2 to 4 years to live and passed away after 3 years.
I didn’t shed a tear while writing this book, but if I try and read a chapter out loud, I just can’t do it without sobbing. Bill passed away a month ago and now the reality of his illness and dying have come home. The busyness of caring for him made the days go by so fast that time just slipped away.
Grief is supposed to be the purest form of love. It hurts! Your heart hurts so bad you wonder how it continues to beat. One must learn to live with it and continue their life as well. It is part of growing older and I wanted people to know all we went through to keep Bill alive for as long as possible, so they know if they are going through the same thing that the feelings they are experiencing are normal. It was the most loving thing I could do for Bill.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Caring for yourself as well as your loved one is essential in surviving the daily work of living life to the fullest while caring for someone. The day-to-day work of cooking, cleaning, shopping and being a caregiver can take over your very existence. You are in charge of your life as well as your loved one and both of you need equal care and love.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Caregiving will be the hardest job you will ever have. Everything you need to know is in your heart. You just need to look there for the answers. Loving and caring for someone go hand in hand. Keeping the scrapbook of your lives together in your heart will sustain you through the very difficult end to your loved one’s life.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
A Caregiver’s Love Story and Reference Guide is a book of stories about several medical diagnoses, hospitalizations and coping with a loved one’s terminal illness, not only for the patient but the caregiver. You’ll find chapters on having oxygen in the home, obtaining Power of Attorney, anticipatory grief, hiring and firing help, when to call an ambulance and avoiding caregiver burnout, along with stories of life as a caregiver.
Each chapter has a lesson – a reward, or something to think about as you read through the stories. Handled with humor and sensitivity, caring for a loved one can become less of a burden. Not only will it be the hardest job you have ever had, it will also be the most fulfilling.
A Caregiver’s Love Story
A Caregiver’s Love Story is an awe-inspiring memoir by Nancie Wiseman Attwater. This passionate story goes into detail about her and her husband’s life together throughout the good and the bad, sickness and health, just like they promised each other the day they said I do.
Bill and Nancie grew up and lived very different lives until they met. From a young age, Bill was a curious child who grew into a hardworking, accomplished lawyer. On the other hand, Nancie had a rough upbringing with her father dying when she was just 4 years old and her mother, who wasn’t around much. Years went by before life would bring them together in Nancie’s store. They would go on to marry and live a life full of changes and growth, as any marriage does. Bill started experiencing health problems, including lung disease and dementia, so Nancie took on the role of primary caregiver.
This extraordinary book is much more than just a captivating memoir of two people who have a deep love and care for one another. This book also serves as a guide for others who are experiencing similar situations. Attwater covers various health issues, treatments, and helpful tips on specific devices to use to help your loved ones get around. The author also shares with readers the toll that her husband’s health issues took on her as she dealt with loneliness and exhaustion.
This relatable read contains a substantial amount of helpful information for caregivers and for those in the health field. The author’s tone throughout her novel is loving and conversational, as I felt the genuine love that she had for her husband. Towards the end of the memoir, I felt connected to Nancie and Bill because I knew so much about their childhood, adulthood, and retirement years.
Attwater shares her personal story with us and touches readers’ hearts, making this one read that is hard to put down. A Caregiver’s Love Story is an excellent read for anyone interested in a heartwarming memoir.
Pages: 254 | ASIN : B0B1VYJZFK
LITERARY TITAN 