Losing My Mind : An Intimate Look at Life with Alzheimer's

By Thomas DeBaggio

Book Overview

"We are foolish, those of us who think we can escape the traps of aging," writes Tom DeBaggio. "I was one of them, dreaming of a perfect and healthy old age....Now, at fifty-eight, I realize the foolishness of my dreams as I watch my brain self-destruct from Alzheimer's." Losing My Mind is DeBaggio's extraordinary account of his early onset Alzheimer's, a disease that "silently hollows the brain" and slowly "gobbles memory and destroys life." But with DeBaggio's curse came an unexpected blessing: the ability to chart the mechanics and musings of his failing mind.
Whether describing the happy days of his youth or lamenting over the burden his disease has placed upon his loved ones, DeBaggio manages to inspire the reader with his ability to function, to think, and ultimately to survive. By turns an autobiography, a medical history, and a book of meditations, Losing My Mind is a testament to the splendor of memory and a triumphant celebration of the human spirit.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743205669
• ISBN13: 9780743205665
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Opening Our Eyes

"Losing My Mind" is a well-written book authored by an ex-journalist gone herb-grower who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease at the age of fifty-seven in 1999. The book is a personal account of one man's struggle with dementia accompanied by an autobiography. Along with these two themes, Mr. DeBaggio inserts clippings from his own research on the disease in every few pages.This is a great read for anyone who would like to venture into the mind of someone suffering from Alzheimer's. But be warned, the book does not contain any sparks of hope or messages of positive thinking. Readers are likely to become sad and feel slightly depressed from this book that is probably meant to "share some grief." The book is a sincere , raw and from the heart look at a frightening disease that will most likely affect even more Americans as the "Baby-boomer" generation embarks on its golden years. This book is a must for anyone who has a family member diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It provides insight into the moods, fears and anger of those suffering from it; this is especially important for families who have trouble getting their loved ones to open up and share what they're going through. I salute Mr. DeBaggio for having the courage to share his inner-most feelings with all those interested in learning more about this insidious disease. May his fear abate and his arms embrace the love that his family is giving him.

Losing My Mind: An Intimate Look at Life with Alzheimer's

I just finished this book and it gave me a better understanding of what my Mother is going through. She won't talk about it but this book gave me the best insiders look at her life with Alzheimer's. I now understand her moods, her fears, her anger. I highly recommend this book to anyone who's family member has been diagnoised with Alzheimer's. Also, what was extremely great was all the medical terms and current discoveries in treatment. Your local M.D. often can't recommend or give you a contact to join a support group. The medical community by large needs to get with the program as well as the State and Federal government. More and more folks will be diagnoised with Alzheimer's because we are all living longer. They, the politicians need to deal with it like we the family members and care givers, and victums! Thank You.

A powerful book

Many of us are willing to put up with a physically debilitating disease. It's not something we look forward to, but we like to think we'll take it in stride when it comes. After all, that's part of the price of getting old. But most of us quake with dread at the thought of losing our mental faculties. There's something about the thought of no longer being in control on the "inside" that is far more frightening than losing control on the "outside."In *Losing My Mind,* Thomas Debaggio has voiced those fears for us. One of this book's many merits is that he never tries to softpedal the horror of what's happening to him. In this regard, his memoir is very much reminiscent of "Tuesdays with Morrie.* He describes the personal feeling of disintegration and hopelessness, telling us, himself, and his wife that at times all he wants is to be hugged--the whimper of a lost and frightened child. He also describes the incredible burden that his illness places on his wife and son; they, after all, will have to deal with the condition long after Thomas is no longer present. But the book is also a testament to the human spirit and spirituality. The very fact that Debaggio can write such a moving tale while in the grips of a reason-destroying illness, and still find wonder and beauty and joy and humor in life is well worth pondering. His memoir will make readers appreciate life and loved ones.

POIGNANT, TOUCHING AND EXTREMELY MOVING

There is nothing so sad as to see a person who was once consumed with a passion for life, abundant with wisdom and intellect, active, alert and filled with a wealth of personal stories, overcome with Alzheimer's. It is a condition which has overwhelming effects not only for the individual afflicted with the disease, but for family and friends as well.Few individuals with Alzheimer's write a book about their progressive loss of memory and the associated conditions that go with Alzheimer's. Unless, you personally know someone with the disease, it is difficult to understand how it affects one's social life, their loss of verbal communication skills and their thought process. Debaggio gives reader an inside view and clearer understanding from a patient's perspective of what it is like to live with this devastating disease on a daily basis. The author's courage and strength in the face of adversity will touch readers to their very core. Debaggio deserves a standing ovation for having the heart and spirit to write such a poignant book on the subject, from a point of view only one afflicted with the disease could fully and realistically explain.