Saturday, August 7, 2010

JAN'S STORY: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
JAN'S STORY

BY BARRY PETERSEN

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Imagine hearing these words: "She has Alzheimer's."

Now imagine that "she" is vibrant, active, loving, healthy … and just 55.

Acclaimed CBS News reporter Barry Petersen, writes about hearing the unimaginable: what it meant, what it still means, what he did--and didn't do--and how this beautiful love story needs to be read by the thousands of families who have already heard that same devastating diagnosis… EARLY ONSET ALZHEIMER'S.

Jan's Story is a full, rich story of two people--and thousands like them--for whom "forever"suddenly and terrifyingly has an expiration date.

Barry Petersen is a long-time, award-winning TV journalist who has covered wars, the devastating Asian tsunami, the historic confrontation at Tiananmen Square, the unspeakable deaths in Rwanda, and so much more…but was not even slightly prepared for what happened to his darling wife, Jan.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Multiple Emmy award winner Barry Petersen has covered wars, genocide, interviewed Jimmy Stewart (who answered the door to his Beverly Hills home himself), Anthony Hopkins and several Bosnian War Crimes Tribunal suspects. He covered the war in Bosnia, Tiananmen Square and Rwanda.

Barry watched Mikhail Gorbachev walk among the crowds in the streets of Vilnius, Lithuania, begging them to stay in the Soviet Union and reported on the Iraq war, living on adrenaline, cigarettes and cookies, while having a target painted on his back.

Barry earned one of his Emmys for reporting the Siege of Sarajevo for CBS Sunday Morning. He shared both Peabody and DuPont Awards for being a part of the CBS News Radio coverage of the Tiananmen Square uprising in 1989, and an Edward R. Murrow award for, of all things, sports writing for a story on baseball coming to Beijing.

Prior to working in television, Barry was a reporter, copyeditor, photographer and sometimes columnist for several newspapers including the Milwaukee (WI) Journal, Chicago (IL) TODAY, Omaha (NE) World-Herald and the Miami (FL) Herald.

MY REVIEW:


JAN’S STORY by Barry Petersen is a memoir about eternal love, overwhelming loss, and courage to persevere for one’s own survival. Petersen is a celebrated and award-winning newsman for CBS and this is his own personal story of losing the Jan he knew and loved, his wife, to early onset Alzheimer’s. It is a story that is being played out in millions of homes each day as it tells of slowly losing your spouse to this hideous disease as well as the fight to not also lose the caregiver and allow Alzheimer’s to claim two lives at once.

Jan and Barry met while Barry was working as a correspondent in Seattle and Jan was a news anchor. Their shared interest in broadcasting was the beginning of a beautiful romance that led to marriage and took them around the world with their jobs and their love. When Jan was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at age 55, they were devastated to say the least. When they looked back, they realized there were symptoms as early as age 40 that came and went. However, with the diagnosis came the decision of how to proceed and handle what was to come. Jan and Barry first began with Jan on medications that were to slow the disease down and at that point they were optimistic that it would still allow them a full life together into her golden years. However, the disease moved much faster than that.

In JAN’S STORY, Barry is very frank in his description of the progression of the disease and the reactions he had to it all. He took on the job of caregiver with no doubts that he would be the person who would care for his Jan for the rest of her life. However, as things deteriorated over time including emotional responses, changes in behavior and finally being physically harder to handle, Barry knew more had to be done. Once he could not safely care for his vivacious lovely Jan on his own, he hired caregivers to come into the home to help. At some point, however, that changed and Jan finally was going to be safer, and Barry better off as well, if she was placed in the appropriate assisted living facility that specializes in caring for Alzheimer’s patients. At that point, Jan no longer knew Barry. She remembered him as her love and talked about him to Barry to this day but with no recognition that the man across from her was her Barry. His regular visits to see her were harder all the time. Meanwhile, thankfully, Jan maintains her same spunky, outward going personality except that she has no idea who Barry is, or where she is. One of her friends she talks with is her reflection in the mirror.

With much counseling, Barry finally realized he was not going to allow this horrible disease to claim both their lives and he found another partner in the process. She is a widow and knows they will never marry while Jan is alive and that their relationship will also be a three way one with Jan an equal part of it. And that is OK by her. JAN’S STORY is poignant, honest, and should serve as an example to help others to understand the incredible impact on not only the patient but also the caregiver. I found the book to be a quick read but also one that was tough to read. However, with the predictions of Alzheimer’s claiming so many of us in the coming years, either as the victim or the caregiver, it was quite an important story, and a brave one that Barry Petersen tells in JAN’S STORY.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO TRICIA AND THE FOLKS
AT MERYL L. MOSS MEDIA, I HAVE
ONE COPY OF THIS HEARTFELT
MEMOIR TO GIVE AWAY!

THE RULES:

--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY



HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT JAN'S STORY OR AUTHOR BARRY PETERSEN BY VISITING THE WEBSITE HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY


+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW THIS BLOG.


GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 20!

GOOD LUCK!

73 comments:

petite said...

Thanks for featuring this wonderful story. It is beautiful, emotional and real since this happens in many families. Jan who was a world reporter dealt with so much heartache with this experience. I would love to read this book. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Christine H said...

+5swag chirth7@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

+5swag jeff72768@yahoo.com

PoCoKat said...

I've had to deal with several relatives with Alzheimers so I know I'll find the book interesting.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

I follow on GFC.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

traveler said...

May heart goes out to this young man who experienced this shattering event. It is unimaginable. When I married many years ago just before our wedding my husband's father was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers. At that time no one knew what it was and how devastating a disease it was. Thanks for this special giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

+5 swag

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I read the author's bio on his website and agree with his feeling for the disease: Hate. This horrible stealer of people runs strongly through my family. I would really like to read this book.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am both an e-mail subscriber and GFC follower.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Young in TX said...

I learned from the author's bio that his feeling for the disease is Hate.

Laura_in_TX
123yes456@gmail.com

Unknown said...

He did the first network news story on a then-new disease, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

amandarwest at gmaildotcom

Unknown said...

I'm a follower on GFC.

Steve Capell said...

I found out that Barry Peterson got his first taste of newspaper journalism as editor of the high school newspaper ... I would say he has been writing most of his life. This book sounds like an interesting read.. Thanks for the opportunity

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

Jan's Story sounds very moving and to have begun that journey when she was so young must have been especially difficult.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am a GFC follower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

Early onset Alzheimer's is so difficult for someone to traverse...both for the patient and the family. This sounds like a wonderful tribute to his wife.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I learned that Altzheimer's hits you before you realize it.
I would like to win this book because my dear mom and her siblings had this horrible disease.
I am afraid that this my be my future.
I could use a lot of info from this novel.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I follow by google reader.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I am a follower and email subscriber. Pelase enter me in contest. This book sounds very emotional and beautiful. It happens all the time to people. Tore923@aol.com

degood said...

I found it intersting how connect he is and how many famous people he has met thru his journalism work. But the story he chooses to tell is about his wife who was also a reporter and her journey thru a horrible disease.

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

Jolee said...

I find it compelling how quickly the disease progressed and am sympatheic for how much the author "hates" the disease. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

follow on gfc and on email. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Ruthie said...

Both of my grandmothers had it...very sad.

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

FB Fan

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

rubynreba said...

We never know when we will become a caregiver. I was a caregiver for my Dad and I know how hard it is. I'd like to read this story about alzheimers because I know some people in a local nursing home who have this disease and I'd like to understand it better.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I follow on google
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

While Spark's romantic book The Notebook wrote a fictional take on Alzheimer's destruction on a marriage, it would be interesting and terribly heartbreaking to read a nonfiction account of this horrible disease.


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Peterson has interviewed Hollywood stars including Jimmy Stewart, Bill Cosby, Pierce Brosnan and Sir Anthony Hopkins (gosh what a portfolio of grand stars)


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/alterlisa/status/20704026898



(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I follow you on GFC

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I follow you on by email

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I follow you on Networked Blogs

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/alterlisa/status/20704545553


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Pamela Keener said...

I find it interesting and heartbreaking that Jan was 55, my age, when she was diagnosed.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow your blog via e-mail.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

+ 5 Swagbucks.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Sandra K321 said...

Jan's Story is Barry's way of surviving this tragedy rather than giving in to it.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

Sandra K321 said...

I follow your blog via google friend connect.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

Marilu said...

This is the first time I have heard of this book. I have added it to my wishlist,as it sounds like a must read! Please enter me. Thanks!
I learned that he was among the first reporters on the scene in Thailand after Tsunami in 2005.

lovemykidsandbooks @ gmail . com

Marilu said...

+5 swag

lovemykidsandbooks @ gmail . com

Marilu said...

I follow through google friend connect, as well as on facebook!

lovemykidsandbooks @ gmail . com

Charleydog said...

Alzheimer's is such a devastating disease and one where you know the inevitable outcome - the loss of yourself.

Please enter my name in the giveaway for the book. Thanks!

pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

StephTheBookworm said...

I think this story would be amazing and touching to read.

I learned that the author has done a lot of war reporting.

stephaniet117 at yahoo dot com

StephTheBookworm said...

I follow GFC.

Unknown said...

In 2009, the Asian American Journalist Association gave him its National Journalism Award

misaacmom at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I follow! GFC

Sarah said...

I love his vast cast of people he has interviewed!

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I follow this blog by email.

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

I also am a Google follower.

foxchick0323@live.com

Sarah said...

+5 swag
foxchick0323@live.com

Allison said...

It's a heartbreaking story but sounds like an interesting read.

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

I'm an email subscriber

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Just reading about their story on the website made me tear up, I can only imagine the water works if I get to read this book. Only 55 too, some people lives are cut way to short. I look forward to reading their touching story.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

https://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/21657297527

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100000641625482&v=wall&story_fbid=112091512178449&ref=mf

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chirth7/review/45005428/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=533391661&messageID=6680324463&hash

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm an email subscriber

chirth7@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

This book is going to make me cry. I realy want to read it. I use to care for a women with Alzheimer’s it's a terrible disease and in this case in someone so young, how sad. I'm sure the story will me moving, I'd love a chance to read it.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/21661333786

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540593519&messageID=6679343844&hash

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/45006721/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I subscribe via email
shundelt@yahoo.com

urbanL said...

On the website the story about the book was so moving. I couldn't imagine such a thing happening to my wife and those hard choices he had to make. I'd love to read this book.

urbanL said...

http://twitter.com/jeff72768/status/21664544687

urbanL said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000609680005&v=wall&story_fbid=146299612058522&ref=mf

urbanL said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Jeff72768/review/45007950/

urbanL said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=540594583&messageID=6679345297&hash

urbanL said...

I follow gfc

Nancye said...

I learned that Barry "did the first network news story on a then-new disease, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)".

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/21695387245

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

GFC Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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