Vacation from Strokes, Alzheimer?s, and Diabetes (S.A.D.)

The book is about a couple which is under extreme pressure to maintain a normal life despite the ravages of the diseases: diabetes, Alzheimer's, and three bouts of strokes, which have befallen the author's wife. The story is ongoing as the author's wife is still up and only losing a slight ground against the diseases. The author hopes that the loss is due to age and not due to the advance of the diseases.

The book has only two main characters, the author and his wife. The author, acting as caregiver to his wife, is implementing his mission which is to provide his wife the utmost health care and affordable conveniences while she is still able to appreciate the physical aspects of her surroundings.

The author's wife loves to travel before and after the named diseases befell her. They still want to pursue the same life style even though she is not as mobile anymore as she was before the diseases debilitated her. Due to the limited options for physical activities, the couple perseveres in the pursuit of the only plans that are available. The plans of course, must be consistent with her ability to move freely with moderate assistance.

The book has only two chapters. Chapter 1 deals with travel planning. Travel planning is focused mainly on ocean cruises; the author and his wife determined that ocean cruising is the best and the only reasonable option for traveling without exacerbating her physical and mental condition.

Chapter 2 and a number of pages in the book deal with implemented travel plans. As more and more travels are pursued and enjoyed, more pages will be added to the story line in the form of revisions or new editions.

A few pages of the book are dedicated to local travels which do not need planning. To keep his wife's mind and body occupied, the author figures that local travels will also help her in the fight against depression and self pity.

The couple now accepts the irreversible effects of strokes, Alzheimer's, and diabetes. There is not much that they can do about them. The author hopes that the medical professionals as well as the drug manufacturers are able to come up with some type of wonder drugs that prevent the diseases from attacking the brain.

Meantime, the author's wife, out of her sheer determination and a strong family support, is learning and starting to walk again. Hopefully, her progress continues and provides a happy ending in the story line.