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Miles from Home: A True Story of the Choices That Define Us
by
Colleen Lanier (Goodreads Author)
What would you do for your best friend?
When Sean called, asking me to help him drive his parents from Wisconsin to Washington, I found out.
Sean’s mother had Alzheimer’s disease and his father was dying from lung cancer. We were taking them to their final home, an assisted living facility near Sean. And while his dad said he didn’t want it to be an ambulance ride, it was c...more
When Sean called, asking me to help him drive his parents from Wisconsin to Washington, I found out.
Sean’s mother had Alzheimer’s disease and his father was dying from lung cancer. We were taking them to their final home, an assisted living facility near Sean. And while his dad said he didn’t want it to be an ambulance ride, it was c...more
Kindle Edition
Published
February 26th 2012
by Wasteland Press
(first published February 15th 2012)
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This book has a very personal connection for me since both of my parents have suffered from Alzheimer's Disease. Her descriptions of Joan's behaviors made me laugh in recognition and shake my head ruefully. I was thankful for her understanding and detailed anecdotes ---- everything from the purse "shopping" to the bathroom. And it certainly took me back to the endless nights of interrupted sleep.
Colleen Lanier brings her whole self to this piece, an unflinching look at the good, the bad and the...more
Colleen Lanier brings her whole self to this piece, an unflinching look at the good, the bad and the...more
I received this book as a gift. As a nurse, and the daughter, who provided care to a father with a rapidly progressive cancer and a mother with Alzheimer’s disease until their passing I highly recommend this book to anyone who finds undertakes a caretaker's role - it is honest, poignant, and accurate in its description of the realities of diseases, death, and dying. I so appreciated the HOPE and humor integrated through the journey Colleen Lanier takes the reader on. The issues described so vivi...more
Interesting memoir/diary almost of a nurse who agrees to help her best friend (male) move his cancer-stricken father and Alzheimer's-stricken mother by car from Minnesota to Washington state (where the son lives and where an Assisted Living Facility awaits them). It was the father's desire to make it less of an ambulance ride and more of a road trip, so he could see the sights (especially Crazy Horse monument) on the way. But, he declines very quickly and the road trip quickly becomes an ambulan...more
It's very rare that I find the time to sit down and really enjoy a book. I don't know if I'd use the word "enjoy" regarding this book as much as found myself "engrossed" in it. It resonated with me and brought back a lot of bittersweet memories about caring for both my elderly parents, each having different but equally exhausting health challenges, until their sad ending only seven months apart. It made me wish I'd had a friend like the author to even just "be there" for me, much less actually h...more
I must have downloaded this book to my Kindle for free - sure hope I didn't purchase it! It is an engrossing tale of dealing with aged parents as the author and her ex-boyfriend move his mother and father across country to an Assisted Living Facility showcasing all the horrible details of dealing with a man who is dying of cancer and his wife who has Alzheimer's. However, the day to day, minute by minute story comes across as the author's chance to prove to the world (and probably her ex) that s...more
I’ve read many books documenting a variety of different road trips. Lanier’s road trip was quite unique. Her ex-boyfriend, Sean, asks her to join him in driving his ailing parents from Wisconsin to Washington. Colleen is a nurse, making her a perfect companion for the journey.
She edited herself well, writing simply without a lot of technical medical jargon, focusing more on the emotional side of the situation. Lanier’s personal sacrifices and genuine love and compassion for Sean and his parents...more
She edited herself well, writing simply without a lot of technical medical jargon, focusing more on the emotional side of the situation. Lanier’s personal sacrifices and genuine love and compassion for Sean and his parents...more
I downloaded the book over a week ago, but once I started reading the book only sleep and other obligations kept me away from the book. I get car sick when I read, so I avoid reading in the car, however this book had me so engrossed I could not stop. Car sick or not I just could not wait to find out what happened to Henry, Joan, Sean and Colleen. Colleen's book will inspire you, you will both laugh and cry when reading this book. What a better world earth would be if more people gave of themselv...more
I really, really enjoyed this story about the author making the decision to travel across the country to help her family friend/ex-boyfriend give his father a last opportunity to see something he wanted to see before he died. They were traveling with the ex's mom who had alzheimer's disease and the trip took many unexpected turns. It's an uplifting book for a sad story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! Not only was it entertaining, but it brought out very poignant issues as well, that we all should consider. Choices- that is what life is about, and our choices affect not only ourselves but others around us. Walking the path of the author as she made her choices, and others made their choices was very interesting!!
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this book was the story of a woman who broke up with her boyfriend and months later agreed to help drive his parents cross country from Wisconsin to Seattle Wash. His mom had Alzheimers and his dad was dying of lung cancer. This book was very hard to read esp. in places but had some good messages in it.
An amazing and brave debut novel. This book resonated with me deeply. I have been a caretaker for several members of my family over the past decade and have experienced much of what Miss Lanier writes about. In the end, it is a joyous book about discovering yourself by doing the right thing.
A true-to-life story about caring for an elderly, dying parent and another parent with Alzheimer's. This is not an uplifting, light read, but a look at caring for dying loved ones. I did find humor in some of the description - also a look at a deep and changing relationship between two people. The book is written well.
I stumbled onto this book on my kindle. It is well written and an excellent insight into the later stages of a dreaded disease. Everyone has a story in them. This author has told hers very well.
Enjoyed this heartbreakingly difficult true story, even if the writing style lacks the maturity of a seasoned writer.
This is a thought-provoking book about a woman I wholeheartedly respect for the choice she made.
Before I start, I must say that I won this book from a give-away on Good Reads.
That having been said, I truly enjoyed this story. It is a true story and I found that I identified with the main character in many ways. In some ways I did not but that only added to it.
This story made me think even if I did not want to. I found it very moving and very real.
I would have read this story if I found it in the library.
That having been said, I truly enjoyed this story. It is a true story and I found that I identified with the main character in many ways. In some ways I did not but that only added to it.
This story made me think even if I did not want to. I found it very moving and very real.
I would have read this story if I found it in the library.
May 28, 2013
Deborah
marked it as general-library
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
debs-kindle-lending-shelf
May 03, 2013
Adriana
marked it as purchased
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Colleen Lanier is a registered nurse with a private consulting firm. She has enjoyed summers as a camp nurse to developmentally disabled adults and children, and is a strong believer in volunteering.
Currently living in North Carolina, she is proud aunt to six nephews and a diehard Chicago Bears fan. She is working on her second book, a compilation of short stories and essays about nursing, choices...more
More about Colleen Lanier...
Currently living in North Carolina, she is proud aunt to six nephews and a diehard Chicago Bears fan. She is working on her second book, a compilation of short stories and essays about nursing, choices...more
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