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Home›Blog›Blue Hydrangeas: An Alzheimer’s Love Story – A Book Review

Blue Hydrangeas: An Alzheimer’s Love Story – A Book Review

By Sissy Bowen
June 21, 2017
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When thinking of a good romance novel to curl up with on a rainy day, most people are probably not thinking about Alzheimer’s disease. Registered Nurse Marianne Sciucco just might change some minds with her beautiful book, Blue Hydrangeas: An Alzheimer’s Love Story.

Relying on her experience working in healthcare facilities to bring comfort to many families dealing with the certain horrors of dementia, Sciucco based this, her first novel, on one couple in particular. But admittedly, she says that the story is a composite of a number of couples she met throughout her years of service.

This writer has always admired nursing students and those in the nursing profession, always believing I could never be bright enough to complete the coursework, much less diligent enough to make a career of it. The fact that this is Sciucco’s first published work is rather astonishing, in that it is a true pleasure to read. And it’s about Alzheimer’s disease!

Blue Hydrangeas is a heartfelt story about a loving couple who come to that too-often inevitable place in their lives where Alzheimer’s throws a roadblock right in the middle of their journey together. Like so many, Jack and Sara worked hard all their lives to retire and get their dream home. They open it up as a bed and breakfast and then comes the diagnosis for Sara.

Jack dutifully, lovingly and stubbornly, takes on the role of primary Caregiver like a champ. As the years progress and Sara regresses, she often becomes down-right mean and, what many would consider, impossible to cope with. But, despite his own failing health, Jack loves Sara and is defiant about keeping her home, where she belongs, with him.

When just about everyone in Jack’s life finally convinces him that he has no choice but to place Sara in an assisted living facility, he relinquishes – almost. It’s the journey that occurs following Jack’s ultimate decision that draws the reader even more into the truly heart-wrenching and beautiful love affair between these lifelong partners.

Sciucco’s use of dialogue is extraordinary and her understanding of how Alzheimer’s effects every member of the afflicted person’s family and social network is compelling. Blue hydrangeas are both a place and a metaphor in this work about love and devotion. And it has a happy ending!

Blue Hydrangeas: An Alzheimer’s Love Story is available at Amazon.com and other retailers, or buy it at:

http://mariannesciucco.blogspot.com/

TagsAlzheimer'sAnginaAttackBlueCommitmentDeterminationDevotionHeartHusbandHydrangeasLoveMarriageNovelStoryVowsWife
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Latest Comments

  • Sissy Bowen
    on
    August 9, 2017
    Yes. Too many people have this experience! Thanks for your comment, Harriett!

    “Memory Loss” is a Different Animal than Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Harriett
    on
    August 9, 2017
    Wow......just wow. Such a powerful story, and the same story of so many people.

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    You are such a remarkable writer, Sissy. Your stories affect dementia caregivers to the core because ...

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  • Sissy Bowen
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    July 20, 2017
    You're very kind, Alan! Thank you for being such a loving Caregiver, yourself! It's a journey ...

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  • Alan Brown
    on
    July 15, 2017
    Wow. You really are an excellent writer, Sissy. Thank you for sharing stories from your journey. ...

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  • Sissy Bowen
    on
    July 15, 2017
    Thanks, Susan! That means a lot!

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  • Susan Macaulay
    on
    July 12, 2017
    Nice piece Sissy.

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  • Sissy Bowen
    on
    June 22, 2017
    Thank you so much, Carol for your response here and all you do to help other ...

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  • Carol Bradley Bursack
    on
    June 22, 2017
    Sissy, I'm honored by your wonderful review of Minding Our Elders, especially since you are, yourself, ...

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    June 6, 2017
    Thank you, Beth, for your love and support and kindness! You're a rare friend to have. ...

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  • Beth Cameron
    on
    June 5, 2017
    Thank you for sharing this. It's very helpful and insightful. You have a real gift!

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    on
    June 3, 2017
    Thank you so much, Marta! You are very sweet to say so. And thanks for your ...

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  • Marta
    on
    June 3, 2017
    What a touching, moving account of your experience, Sissy. You are a great writer!

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    on
    June 1, 2017
    Wow! It's wonderful to hear from you, Angel! Thanks for all the memories! You and Bob ...

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  • Angel Logue
    on
    June 1, 2017
    Sissy.....Was thinking of you today and did a search to see if you might still be ...

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  • Sissy Bowen
    on
    May 22, 2017
    Well suster, your support and love means more to me than any other, of course. Thank ...

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  • Sissy Bowen
    on
    May 22, 2017
    Hey Bill! Thanks so much for reading my stories and sharing my website with other folks. ...

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    on
    May 22, 2017
    Hi Lisa! I had no idea you were working as a private sitter. I might have a ...

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  • Belinda Bowen Bracewell
    on
    May 18, 2017
    A favorite picture of my favorite sister and our grandmother. Sissy, the site is excellent ...

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  • Bill Boys
    on
    May 17, 2017
    Excellent article, Sissy.

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  • Lisa
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    May 11, 2017
    Sissy I love this webpage. I had no idea you were a caregiver also. I have ...

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    May 7, 2017
    Thank you so much, Pam! I know it's not an easy read, but I do believe ...

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    May 7, 2017
    Sissy, I've found the paradox of caregiving to be: every caregiver's story is different. Every caregiver's ...

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    April 30, 2017
    Thank you Jack, for coming to caregiverscompanion.org. That means a lot to me. ? I hope ...

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  • Jack Fussell
    on
    April 30, 2017
    Thank you Sissy.

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    Hi Mary Ellen! Thanks so much for reading my first stories on caregiverscompanion.org and leaving such a ...

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    Oh my god. This was me! My experience can't compare to yours in degree of difficulty, ...

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