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Lewy, Mom, and Me: a caregiver's story
In her seventies, Peggy Bushy's mother, Francesca, started telling unbelievable stories. She claimed that people were invading her home and trying to kill her. She also became anxious and reclusive. For several discouraging years, Bushy searched in vain for a reason for her mother's behavior.
Finally, Francesca was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. Although it's the third-most-common cause of dementia, Bushy was unable to find much information on the disease, and the medical community was frustratingly unhelpful.
Lewy, Mom, and Me is the book that Bushy wished had been available when her mother was first diagnosed. It details her personal journey of discovery, with all its challenges and revelations, and is written in a compassionate, empathetic style that will comfort any reader dealing with a parent's decline.
Bushy explains how she learned to accept the changes in her mother and to support Francesca emotionally as she grappled with her frightening illness. She also describes what was involved in caring for her mother first at home, then in long-term care, and finally in hospice.
Part memoir and part survival guide, this compelling testimony offers support and information for family caregivers of aging parents.
Finally, Francesca was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. Although it's the third-most-common cause of dementia, Bushy was unable to find much information on the disease, and the medical community was frustratingly unhelpful.
Lewy, Mom, and Me is the book that Bushy wished had been available when her mother was first diagnosed. It details her personal journey of discovery, with all its challenges and revelations, and is written in a compassionate, empathetic style that will comfort any reader dealing with a parent's decline.
Bushy explains how she learned to accept the changes in her mother and to support Francesca emotionally as she grappled with her frightening illness. She also describes what was involved in caring for her mother first at home, then in long-term care, and finally in hospice.
Part memoir and part survival guide, this compelling testimony offers support and information for family caregivers of aging parents.
213 pages, Paperback
Published November 18, 2016
17 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 12, 2018
This was a hard read, but I was relieved to know the author had help (family and friends.) The author takes the reader on a journey where one can, from a safe distance from heartache, see (read) first hand how hard on the heart this can be. Please don't let this prevent you from reading the book, instead, let it empower you. Learn from the author the hurdles that may try to block you as you work diligently to save/heal/prevent the pain of your loved one. As stated in the book, be prepared. Research and know your options, so you are prepared and armed to make the best decision for you and your loved ones.
Based on a five-star rating, I give it five stars!
1) Buy from the author in the future? Yes
2) Did it keep me intrigued? Yes
3) Storyline adventurous, mysterious, and believable? Yes
4) Would I recommend to a family member/friend? Yes
5) Did my idea of the book based on the cover remain the same after I read the book? Yes. But after reading the book, the cover art was much more powerful. The unlaced shoes show how everything can look somewhat normal, but be totally different.
Based on a five-star rating, I give it five stars!
1) Buy from the author in the future? Yes
2) Did it keep me intrigued? Yes
3) Storyline adventurous, mysterious, and believable? Yes
4) Would I recommend to a family member/friend? Yes
5) Did my idea of the book based on the cover remain the same after I read the book? Yes. But after reading the book, the cover art was much more powerful. The unlaced shoes show how everything can look somewhat normal, but be totally different.
October 5, 2017
This book is very well written.It is a valuable resource for caregivers, which include spouses and children as well as nurses and nurses' aides caring for people with dementia. Family doctors and neurologists also will benefit, as it uncovers a lot of questions that they should address during visits with these patients.A must read if you have a family member or friend suffering from lewy.
August 19, 2017
This book was very interesting. I recommend it for anyone who has a family member who has dementia.
I won this boon in a Goodreads giveaway.
I won this boon in a Goodreads giveaway.
August 6, 2017
Lewy Body Dementia is not one of the more common or better known dementias, but its impact on those stricken and their families is as devastating and profound as Alzheimer's. In Lewy, Mom, and Me, Peggy Bushy shares the story of her mother's slow descent into the disease, the frightening hallucinations, the difficulties and disappointments with physicians and healthcare professionals who failed to give a proper diagnosis or proper care, and her mother's stubborn denial that anything was wrong at all. This memoir is courageous, raw, and heartbreaking, but also one of deep, dedicated love. Peggy's strength in finding the source of her mother's strange behaviors and providing care for her long distance, then in her own home, and finally in assisted care with hospice is inspiring. Lewy, Mom, and Me is an excellent addition to a caregiver's library, and belongs on the bookshelves of assisted living and long term care facilities.
November 27, 2017
Lewy, Mom and Me: A Caregiver's Story is a fascinating story of Peggy Bushy's mother's descent into Lewy body dementia, which although common is not well understood. We learn about the family's early life growing up in a warm Italian community. Peggy leads us through the shocking changes that her mother gradually undergoes. Francesca becomes involved with her hallucinations -- seeing people in her home that aren't there and believing someone is out to kill her. Yet, amazingly, she continues living a somewhat normal life, traveling back and forth from New England to her winter home in Florida. For Peggy, one of the biggest challenges of Lewy body dementia was that within the course a day her mother could spiral from competent, kind and loving into insanity. I was gripped by this story of caregiving and felt so much admiration for the author and how she persevered in caring for her mother through incredibly difficult circumstances. An inspiring read!
February 8, 2019
A heartbreaking memoir of a loving daughter fighting the impossible foe. As I read your story, a lump formed in my throat and tears ran down my face. I, too, lost my mum to Lewy. Her journey was swift..from diagnosis to death was only 6 months. What an amazing love you had for her.
Unless you have lived this nightmare, it is incomprehensible. And living it is almost unbearable. And yet we would do it again to give back to them all that they gave us.
Unless you have lived this nightmare, it is incomprehensible. And living it is almost unbearable. And yet we would do it again to give back to them all that they gave us.
August 9, 2017
I won a copy of this. Could relate to the author. Very hard when you know a loved one is having some type of problems, and even the doctors don't want to listen.
The book lets us know that you just have to keep trying to find out what is wrong, when others seems to think everything is ok.
Hard to put down when start to read.
The book lets us know that you just have to keep trying to find out what is wrong, when others seems to think everything is ok.
Hard to put down when start to read.
June 6, 2018
Fascinating book. LBD is a tough subject and even more difficult to live with. As a medical professional I would have liked to see more medical information, testing, etc. But overall a very well written book. I am in awe of such a dedicated daughter and the blunt realism and honesty of living with demention every hour of the day.
March 10, 2019
A must read
This is for people looking for answers to dementia questions. It puts a human touch to a terrible disease. I tried to tell my mom's doctor that she had Lewy Body dementia but she would not listen. Peggy gives you the strength to keep doing whatever it takes. Thank you
This is for people looking for answers to dementia questions. It puts a human touch to a terrible disease. I tried to tell my mom's doctor that she had Lewy Body dementia but she would not listen. Peggy gives you the strength to keep doing whatever it takes. Thank you
February 1, 2018
Beautifully written book about a daughter taking care of her mother as the mother gets older and is finally diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. I have never heard about this type of disease before so it was very eye opening.
January 2, 2018
Wonderful story
Currently helping care for a person with lbd, this book is so inspiring to keep going no matter how difficult the task.
Currently helping care for a person with lbd, this book is so inspiring to keep going no matter how difficult the task.
September 6, 2020
Great book
I wish I had found this book years ago when I was taking care of my dad who had LBD. Great book and well written.
I wish I had found this book years ago when I was taking care of my dad who had LBD. Great book and well written.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews