""Nothing in my background prepared me for the unbelievable challenges I lived through during those years,"" says Frank Wall. ""As the primary caregiver for Mary, I endured an emotional rollercoaster ride I can never forget. I feel compelled to share my experiences with those who may follow me in their new roles as caregivers.""
Mary was the victim of a triple assault on her mind and body Parkinson's disease, multi-infarct dementia (frequent small strokes), and Alzheimer's Disease a combination without identifiable cause, explanation, or cure. In Where Did Mary Go? her husband shares his very personal account of their seven-year struggle, beginning with the chilling recognition that ""something is really wrong with Mary."" Confronted with the care of his beloved patient in all facets of everyday living, Wall discusses candidly, and in simple terms, this stress- and emotion-filled time. He describes in detail the many caregiving problems and frustrations he encountered and the solutions he found to cope with daily obstacles and personal anguish as Mary slowly slipped away. He gives us a roadmap explaining what to expect as the disease progresses, including some of the signals, symptoms, and reactions to mental confusion, incontinence, falling, wandering, and other related problems. He conveys Mary's reactions at various stages of her illness and her ability to cope with these diseases and their effects on her family. Intertwined throughout are Frank Wall's feelings of guilt, anger, and frustration as he faced the overwhelming responsibility of life and death situations.