New on the Podcast: Daniel Gibbs, MD untangles his personal battle with Alzheimer's

Aug 24, 2022 1:01 am

Dear AlzAuthor,

I've been working on a new book - a novel - since December, 2018. It's a short novel, so far 32,000 or so words, and I've been struggling with it for months. It's a prequel to Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer's love story and takes us back to the days when Sara did not have dementia and she was planning a wedding at the inn for her son, David, and his bride, Anne. It seemed so easy at the beginning, filling those first blank pages in Word. Then my daughter got engaged and we started planning our own wedding. I put the work aside. I picked it up after the wedding and started writing again but my brother unexpectedly passed and I took on the task of administering his estate. And of course, there's COVID. Most recently, I was stuck. I could not write the ending I knew so well. I consulted a book doctor, and in 30 minutes he helped me unlock my block, and I'm back at the keyboard again, determined to write The End on the last page before the end of the year.

All of this has me thinking about the difficulties authors face when writing their stories, whether it's a novel, a memoir, caregiver guide, children's book. It doesn't matter. Writing is hard work. No one makes us do it. It's unknown if we will be successful, however we define success. And as I struggle to cover those glaring white Word pages with inky black words, a story, something compelling, something worth a reader's time, I think of you and all the other authors I'm privileged to work with through this organization. Your stories have been much harder to write than mine, and I commend you. I honor you for sticking with it, for not giving up, for not letting go. For creating something beautiful and meaningful for someone who needs it.

Keep writing.

💜 💜 💜

On the Podcast

Daniel Gibbs is a retired neurologist confronting his own early onset Alzheimer’s. His is a unique perspective: Once the doctor diagnosing other people’s cognitive issues he is now the patient facing his own. He has written his story in a memoir, A Tattoo on My Brain: A Neurologist’s Personal Battle Against Alzheimer’s Disease. In this episode, we discuss the value of testing for the Alzheimer’s gene, the importance of life plans, concerns regarding work and retirement, and the Viacom documentary currently in production about his dementia journey.

Start Listening!

💜 💜 💜

Listen to Our Authors' Podcasts

Many of our authors are podcasting in addition to writing books and blogs, sharing their stories and the stories of others on a dementia journey. Here's a listing. If I've left anyone out please let me know and I'll spotlight you next time.

Jennifer Fink: Fading Memories Podcast

Rosanne Corcoran: Daughterhood The Podcast for Caregivers

Bobbi Carducci: Rodger That

Pippa Kelly: Well I Know Now

Susie Singer Carter: Love Conquers ALZ

Carmen Davailus: Doggies for Dementia Podcast

Elizabeth Miller: Happy Healthy Caregiver

Christopher MacLellan: The Whole Care Network

Rayna Neises: A Season of Caring Podcast

Matt Estrade: Peace with Dementia Podcast

Jana Panarites: Agewyze

Carol Howell: Let's Talk Dementia

The views, information or opinions expressed in these podcasts are solely the views of the individuals involved and do not reflect the beliefs of the AlzAuthors organization. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical advice and your legal representative for legal advice.

Next time I'll give you tips on how to land a spot as a podcast guest.

💜 💜 💜

Catch the Replay: HFC Summer Book Series with Renee Harmon, MD

Dr. Harmon is the author of Surfing the Waves of Alzheimer's, where she shares her story of caring for her husband with early onset Alzheimer's.

Watch it now!

💜 💜 💜

Nana’s Books Foundation Seeks Board of Director Applications

Nana’s Books Foundation (www.Nanasbooks.org) was officially founded in 2020 as Nancy Dulniak, a lifelong career librarian, was in her final stages of Alzheimer’s. Our mission is to provide grade-appropriate books about Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other disabilities to public libraries and students in Title I schools in her honor, targeting five school districts in the upcoming school year. Our need is for Board of Director volunteers interested in sharing their expertise and energy with reviewing and recommending books on dementia and disabilities, identifying school districts, grant writing, fundraising, and supporting the mission of literacy and education. Applications will be sent upon expressed interest to nanasbooks21@gmail.com. Completed applications should be submitted by September 30, 2022.

💜 💜 💜

Let us promote you and your book on social media alongside our merch.

Send us a photo of you holding your book along with your AlzAuthors merchandise (shirts, jackets, mugs, etc.) and we’ll jazz it up and share it on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds with a link going directly to your post on our website, where potential readers can learn more about you and your story, and visit your book's Amazon page.

Each time you place an order, you support AlzAuthors.

Shop Now!

💜 💜 💜

Let's stay connected ...

Be sure to add yourself to these directories:

Audiobook Directory: if your book is available in audio

Author Directory: if interested in networking with other authors

Our mission is to provide quality resources for those concerned with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Please help by connecting with us in at least one new way this week:

Become an AlzAuthors Donor

Subscribe to our weekly blog

Follow our podcast and leave a review

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Volunteer your time and talents

Submit Your Book, Blog, or other Resource

Designate AlzAuthors as your Amazon Smile charity

Buy a book (or books!) in the AlzAuthors Bookstore

Join our Amazon book club

Leave a review on Google

Start or join a Round Robin Book Review Circle

Share this newsletter with others on a dementia journey