“There has been so much said and written about the terrifying onset, progression and outcome of Alzheimer’s disease that it is hard to imagine someone could find a perspective, and offer an insight, that exceeds both common wisdom and general medical advice.

Bettye Musham is the trailblazer who has given us what others could not or did not give us about this transformative, debilitating affliction so rife in our society, so frequent in modern day America.

My own mother suffered grievously from Alzheimer’s in the final years of her 87 year old life, and I would have cherished having a guide - for myself and for other family and friends - to chart the way through those unknown, and frightening, waters.

I am grateful to Bettye Musham for this work of love and courage. All who pick it up, turn its pages, read its advice, and heed its message - will come away with a keener vision of their own trial with Alzheimer, and be better equipped to navigate the path forward that it uniquely provides.

Anyone who has ever known Alzheimer in friend or family must read this book! None should be bereft of such a guide for such a crisis. Thank you, Bettye, for wisdom etched by pathos, for practicality framed in narratives and lessons of benefit to us all.”

“Bettye Musham’s moving personal account of the wrenching challenges of coping with her beloved husband Bill’s Alzheimer’s disease. From the shock of the initial diagnosis through the progressive advance of the disease Bettye artfully weaves memoir and professional information and guidelines for managing the demands and frustrations of caregiving.

Her comprehensive list and description of Alzheimer’s related public and private agencies and organizations can help families navigate the maze of confusing resources that are available.

Bettye is admirably brutally honest in revealing the draining legal and contentious family issues and conflicts that confronted her. While she and Bill were successful business owners with substantial financial resources, that did not mitigate the exhausting physical, emotional, and management issues confronted by all caregivers.

Her book should be a valuable resource for families and caregivers coping with Alzheimer’s.”

“All of us would agree that if we were about to embark upon a long journey into an exotic, relatively unknown part of the world, we might want to have a map or be accompanied by a guide – hopefully intelligible and helpful ones.

And I cannot think of a more frightening or fearful ‘place’ than the psyche gone even slightly amuck. Bettye Martin Musham’s “The Thing I Miss Most is My Mind” is just such an instrument.

Like Bettye herself, for those of us who have known her, this book is a no-nonsense, down-to-earth manual to help deal with Alzheimer’s, from its very onset to the aftermath.

The only surprise in this book – which was no surprise to me – are the moments of poignancy and Mark Twain spiritedness that punctuate this adventure into the foreign land that is our own mind and our own shared experiences.

A must-read, if ever there was one, dealing honestly, sensitively, and unsentimentally with one of the most profound and jolting darker facts of life.”

“When you or a loved one receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Musham’s book is invaluable. Her book is a memoir, a memoir of love and pain, and filled with the answers to questions you hoped you would never ask. It is an invaluable book that covers every aspect of every issue confronting the caregiver, from finances, to physicians, and even how to manage the inevitable end of life care and family issues.

Musham provides the expert and researched advice that is needed by everyone in this terrible situation. She details the disease progression and how to best manage it, and gives practical solutions to what seem intractable and heartbreaking problems.

In summary, a wonderful resource and Musham has done a great public service in compiling all of this information and guidance in one volume. This is the book which I have been looking for for months!!!”

“Thank you Bettye Musham! This book allowed me to revisit the years of my own mother’s dementia with a new understanding and even appreciation of her condition, Although, I regret that I did not have this incredibly candid and loving guide at the time - In consolation, I know that this will not be the only time I will all be confronted with dementia personally, in family, friends and loved ones.

Most notable throughout the book is the love, dignity, compassion and respect Ms. Musham displayed in the care of her beloved husband. Too often caregivers give in to the hopelessness and combativeness, wanting to “fix” a situation. Ms. Musham introduces us to techniques (Knack) numerous checklists and resources to avoid the dark holes and live positively in the present.

The discussion of Retrogenesis and Staging I found to be illuminating. The reflections on Death and Post Traumatic Growth, uplifting. This book is timeless and should be considered not only an “insider’s” guide but a “survivor’s guide” in living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.”

“This book is written with the same inquisitive mind that Bettye demonstrated as a student nurse at Duke. It is a wake-up call as Alzheimer’s will touch all of us either emotionally or financially. It is a threat to our health care system and our society.

This is a guide with the information needed for one to think about necessary decisions. Bettye had a tragic journey but triumphed with this book as a positive way to help others.
”

“Alzheimer’s continues to grow as a major disease, taking family and friends away from us in a long and drawn-out process. Bettye Martin Musham’s book helps bring the disease to light in a personal way that touches the heart and soul.”

“The human brain is a universe unto itself with a hundred billion neurons and quadrillions of synapses making up the neural networks that bring you your own personal world. Bettye Musham’s book highlights this amazing organ at its best and its very worst, as in Alzheimer’s disease, which “robs” a person of one’s very self. We will beat brain diseases like Alzheimer’s through “early prediction–early detection–early prevention.”

In the meantime, we desperately need books like this that provide practical advice on what to do when this “thief of self’ enters into your world. This accessible book addresses these timely issues and more in a uniquely informed, compassionate and practical way.”

““I have read the chapters you sent and want you to know how very excited I am about your upcoming book on Alzheimer’s disease. You’ve successfully combined scintillating first-person narratives, up-to-date insights from leaders in the field and sound practical advice for persons and caregivers dealing with this disease.

I have never read anything quite like it before. Given that there are over 5 million people in the US suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, almost everyone is touched by this illness nowadays. Your book will fill a niche in the Alzheimer’s literature, and I foresee a large audience of potential readers. When families of Alzheimer’s patients come to my office, they frequently ask me what they should read to learn more about this illness. I very much look forward to being able to recommend your book to them for that purpose. Congratulations!””