David Tank

David reviews his wife's experiences with the medical system and with alternative health choices in retrospective as he details her last two weeks of life. While it is specific to Lou Gehrig's disease and shows how they dealt with some of the swallowing issues that other diseases don't have, their choices for treatments are thought-provoking alternatives to the hopelessness which was all the medical establishment had to offer.
What they had going for them was Kathy's determination to fight this disease (she had a competitive attitude all her life), David's support to maintain her dignity and independence as much as possible, and his flexible work schedule which allowed him to devote so much time to her direct care. While she did die, they had enough evidence that she was beginning to heal before she had an accident. She was regaining some of her lost muscle control and the blood tests showed normalized values.
David was also pretty handy, & describes some of the adaptations he made for her gastric feedings, for suctioning out saliva, and for providing a drinking water drip (which was, at one point, the only way she could swallow).
This book could have used a good editor (e.g. the same paragraphs used in his overview were repeated later in specific chapters, the description of the help she needed for showering or getting into bed were very drawn out), but I still give it a high rating because of the personal approach and useful content. Besides, they were WI residents, their resources included a doctor I had heard of & was wondering about. Advice to other readers: create your own index as you read, because you are sure to wonder later "what book was it that started them on the best healing idea?"… (más)

What a fun and interesting book! I know it's written about, and aimed, at young kids but this book brings a smile to a person of any age! It all revolves around an antique gift Sam and Abby received called a stereoscope, that includes photos of 'SANTA'. Hmmmm....he doesn't look quite right!? And then they go to the mall to visit Santa with their parents and wind up 'lost' in another age.....
While trapped in the late 1800's all they want is to get back to their folks and by coincidence meet a couple of famous folks who help them along their way... I loved it, was fascinated by it, and i think you will be too!… (más)