Anna and the Beast: The true story of a young mum diagnosed with dementia, aged 37

by Christine Reddall

Anna was a dedicated and talented nurse, a beloved wife, daughter, sister, friend and the 37-year-old mother of two young sons when she was struck down by a devastating form of dementia.

Behavioural Variant Frontotemporal Dementia (BvFTD) is called ‘the cruelest disease you’ve never heard of’. In a matter of months it obliterated Anna’s personality and abilities and, in a brutal twist, left her unaware of what was happening to her. Anna’s mother Chris, who is also a nurse, charts the harrowing story of the last five years of Anna’s life including the battle to secure a diagnosis and then find care for her daughter as she deteriorated.

With tributes, and some memories of happier days, from Anna’s relatives, friends and colleagues it sets out to raise awareness of this merciless condition, lobby for more research and signpost those who may encounter BvFTD to where to find help and support.

It is a true story of young dementia - the hurting, the breaking, the conflict, and ultimately the healing.

This book cries out for more acknowledgment of the disease, and highlights the desperate need for better end of life care - Nula and John Suchet

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 10, 2021

Reviews

[rosemary durack · Rating 5 out of 5]

From one nurse to another two exceptional Nurses

I have read Anna's story in one day.

There is so much that resonates with me, from being a nurse myself and a former Registered Care Home Manager, along with being a mother of a nurse the same age now as when Anna was diagnosed.

Now facing the prospect of a loved one facing this dreadful diagnosis (FTD) or similar !

I know UHCW well and you Christine are just a stone's throw from me geographically.

I found you in my quest when trying to work out the unknown before us.

Thank you for finding the strength to write this book.
I cried for your daughter and for you all as her family.

I pray she is now at rest.

From one mother and nurse to another, I wish you peace and want to extend my thanks for being so brave in sharing Anna's story, to help others understand a rare and devastating dementia.

Well and sensitively written given such sad subject matter.

Take care x

[Lissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing true story written by Anna’s mum, Christine, about Anna’s swift decline into a rare form of dementia called BvFTD. The book is divided into a number of different sections, the first telling Anna’s story, starting with the initial signs that something was wrong, onto the struggles with achieving a diagnosis, and finally to Anna’s passing. The book then goes on to include tributes to Anna from family and friends, and finally tackles the various aspects of dealing with this rare disease. It is a very brave book written by a mother determined to educate others about BvFTD, while also allowing there to be some purpose to her beloved daughter’s death. Anna and the Beast is a very well written, heart wrenching story coming straight from a mother’s love for her daughter.

[Susan Belperio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a heartbreaking, brave and poignant story of someone so young to have developed a particularly devastating and rapidly lethal type of dementia. The book was in two sections. The first section concentrated on the story of how this disease evolved with all of the red flags that something was definitely not right, followed by the Anna's runaway course with this beastly adversary. The way that the family was fractured at a time when it most needed to be cohesive, was especially tragic. I'm not yet a published author, but there was a loss of momentum for me during the second half of the book. The book suddenly became less engrossing. I couldn't help but wonder if all the pointers and guidelines in the second half, could have been somehow incorporated into the first half.

[vanessa johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beast indeed

Thank you for writing this book Christine, though in all truth I wish you hadn't had the experiences that led to its creation.

Anna sounds like a wonderful daughter and I can't imagine the horror of losing her to this terrible condition. From what you've written, it's easy to see that Anna could not have had a better advocate. Her behaviours and perceived attitudes would prove challenging to the most experienced carers yet you and your family did everything imaginable to let Anna live with dignity and love.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an emotional read and I thank you for sharing your experience, emotions and reality.
I have learned a lot from reading your book, which I hope to continue to learn from.
I had never heard of BvFTD (or Pick’s Disease) before reading this book and my understanding from reading Anna’s story is not many other people do either and this is saddening.

It was wonderful to read tributes from family, friends and colleagues sharing such powerful sentiments of Anna.

[Barbara]

Couldn't put it down

A truly honest account of a long slow goodbye of dementia Well written and moving had me in tears at times.