My Journey into Alzheimer's Disease

by Robert Davis

A book of encouragement of how one man of faith faced the oncoming darkness of Alzheimer's disease. In a powerful story of courage and faith, Davis shows how God gives strength and grace.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Christian, Memoir, Health

140 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 1989

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I wish I could tell you that you have cancer.”
With these words from his doctor, Robert Davis’s life turned upside down. This book reports the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by one who had it. Though published in 1989, in the intervening three decades little has changed about the diagnosis and treatment of this progressive thief of the victim’s mind and personality.
“My mind has become a sieve which can only catch and hold certain random thoughts.”
Davis’s perspective is unique because he recognized the symptoms early, communicates clearly, and offers insights from a Christian viewpoint. He honestly reports on the confusion, fear, and despair, but also moments of clarity and hope. Lastly, of course, Bob and Betty his wife offer words of encouragement for the victim, caregivers, family, and acquaintances of those affected.
“Christ is here comforting and giving life meaning, even when all I have to look forward to in this life is becoming a mindless vegetable.”
This book is written by Christians for Christians. Members of other faith communities may find resonance within their traditions. Or not. He reported one specialist declared, “Get real. Tell the truth of how you really feel. Stop denying it with this spiritual stuff. … How can you live in such denial?” He defended his faith and later added, “How can anyone face life—or death—without Christ?”
“God did not promise that when we became Christians we would be lifted above all of the natural trouble to which the rest of humanity is subjected.”
A few years ago I reviewed and recommended Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End; I still do but even more urgently recommend this book as, Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story.
“O God, I cannot see you through the darkness that fills my mind and so terrorizes me, but please see me and take care of me in my absolute confusion.”

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have spent my career doing research on Alzheimer's disease, so I know a lot about the science of this terrible disease. I found this book when a beloved aunt got AD at age 55, and I began to watch her change. This book was written by a pastor (with help from his wife), and so he tells us what it is like to go through the process from a first person perspective, especially early in the disease when there are many precious moments left to share with loved ones. I found this book very helpful to make the most of the time left with my Aunt and to understand better the struggle she faced. I have given away dozens of copies of this book to others who have beloved family members with this disease and they are always so grateful once they read it. Even more so if they enjoy a Christian perspective.

[Sharon Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s and early stage Huntington's disease. He is aware of what is going on some of the time but he refuses to bathe or do any of the things the doctors tell him. He could hardly get around because all he does is sit in front of the TV all day. He refuses to go for a walk or to a senior center and he refuses to bathe. I was beside myself as we cannot go anywhere when he is dirty and stinks. I didn’t know what to do, I could not physically overpower him and make him do things and when I ask him he tells me I am not his boss. There has been little if any progress in finding a reliable treatment. His Primary care provider introduced me to Kycuyu Health Clinic and their amazing Herbal treatments. The treatment is a miracle. the disease is totally under control. No case of delusion, disorientation, forgetfulness, making things up, hallucination, Muscle weakness, jumbled speech, loss of appetite or confusion in the evening hours. Visit www. kycuyuhealthclinic . com Its just amazing!

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with very insight thoughts about what people go through who have Alzheimer's disease. I recommend this book to anyone who would knows someone with Alzheimer's disease

[Zia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it a lot more than I thought I was going to but that's not saying a lot.
A very interesting read, no doubt about it. But I felt more informed on the beliefs of devout Christians and on the mindset of a neurotypical man experiencing mental illness for the first time in his life via Alzheimer's.

In the end this is definitely meant 1000000% for Christians. Not very informative on how to provide any sort of non-religious comfort for the person suffering from Alzheimer's

I recommend this to devout Christians who have family or friends, who are also devout Christians, suffering from Alzheimer's. That's about it 🤷

The only chapter I found helpful in terms of actual science and explanation was Chapter 6, when the author's wife describes what Alzheimer's is on paper and then what it is living with someone who has it and his symptoms and the stages of Alzheimer's.

[John Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert (Bob) Davis' "My Journey into Alzheimer's Disease" contains many helpful insights for better understanding the perspective of one battling with dementia. "Many Christians have found that when life completely tumbles in, when they are without strength or any hope or help for themselves, or when their minds become too tangled to even hold thoughts, that God overrules the circumstances and that Christ comes to minister to them at the very point of their need." (p.67) "This earth is temporary, fleeting, and at times unjust and painful. Heaven is our real destiny. The only way life on earth can ever make sense is when we lift our eyes beyond the attractive bright rays of the rising sun on earth and see beyond the horizon the even brighter rays that emanate from the Son of God seated in glory in heaven." (p.140)

[PJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be a very interesting book to read after my sister-in-law died from Alzheimer's. I thought I was really going to see inside the person's head at what was really going on that they couldn't explain with words. But I was disappointed. The author is a former minister so he preached a lot throughout the book. He talked about the deep depression he went through after having to give up his church and ministry. He also went through an emotional change in how he related to God and how he felt God's presence with him. But mostly, it sounded like he was still trying to preach and give hope and uplift everyone reading the book. There are a couple of chapters by his wife and those really gave the most details on how things changed with him. Those parts were the most helpful.

[Andrew Shafe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unique perspective on Alzheimer's as the book was written by a pastor who was already struggling with the disease. There are some very helpful insights into how best to care for Christians who are descending into the dark valley--from sunlight to moonlight, as he expresses it. But there is also encouragement to focus on the reality of heaven and the expectation of being made whole again--a perspective that is important for all of us.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This man...with his giant-sized faith and love for the Lord...is truly an inspiration. Even though the realities are hard, this book is recommended for anyone wanting to hear an insider's perspective on Alzheimer's Disease. The one thing this terrible disease cannot steal is our secure place in our Savior's care.

[Cameron Barham]

“I hope that my prayers and the prayers of my friends are answered so that I will never have to go through death before physical death. However, if this is not Gods will, I know that in that hazy suffering I have the assurance of a loving Shepherd who will somehow gently guide me through the black winding terrors of the valley of the shadow of death.”, p. 127

[Jonathan D Kopplin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat dated look at Alzheimer's disease, but through the lens of Christian faith.

[Ryan Blanchette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was recommended by a friend but it wasn’t good. Simply handing to God is the answer but doesn’t shine through.

[Annabelle]

While this book did have some interesting insights, especially what it's like to be a pastor and to have Alzheimer's and how we can minister to those battling this disease, I didn't find this book quite as helpful as "Losing My Mind." Perhaps, however, that's because they are similar.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

inspirational book from a patients experience about alzheimer's. Pastor Robert Davis decided to still serve the Lord by writing a book till his last lucid days.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book by a former PCA pastor; a great pastoral resource.