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“2013 Caregiver of the Year”, “Women-of-the-Year” and a special Plaque to honor the “Mind-Brain” Symposium” acknowledged my role as a Care Giver! These significant honors validated my learning and devotion during my time providing care to Bernie, My Sweetheart. These Awards give credibility, integrity and focus to what, why and how I persevered and prevailed with love, hope and faith! • This is “My Love Story” but it is also a “manual” for ALL Care Givers! Dementia Diagnosis: Lewy Body Dementia (with parkinsonian-like symptoms) and Alzheimer’s. • With this diagnosis came shock, disbelief and some panic. This diagnosis pierced our lives. Reality was cruel, penetrating and caustic. I cried for hours. • Alzheimer’s diagnosis became over-arching to our lives. It was treacherous and all-encompassing. It became our existence. But that was only part of our story.