Book details

  • Genre:family & relationships
  • Sub-genre:Eldercare
  • Language:English
  • Pages:192
  • eBook ISBN:9798317816223
  • Paperback ISBN:9798317816216

When Vampires Drink Milk

A Fierce and Humorous Memoir by a Nurse Taking Her Mother Through Dementia and Its Broken Systems

By Lori Black

Overview

After her adoptive mother wrings a set of promises from Lori to never put her in a nursing home and never have her committed, she careens headfirst downhill, brakes off, into the type of dementia where vampires absolutely do exist, but they drink milk instead of blood. No problem. Lori is a nurse. Besides, Lori's deceased brother—a cagey expert in many things, including acquiring illegal substances—is there to help, having set up camp inside Lori's head. After all, a promise is a promise. Right?
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Description

After the memorial service for her brother—while Lori is in a well-deserved zinfandel-induced stupor—Lori's adoptive mother, Vivienne, wrings two promises from her: never put Vivienne in a nursing home and never have her committed. Almost as soon as Lori agrees, her adoptive mother careens headfirst downhill, brakes off, into the type of dementia where vampires absolutely do exist, but they drink milk instead of blood. No problem. Lori is a nurse. She should be able to wrangle the medical system on behalf of her mom. Besides, Lori's deceased brother—a cagey expert in many things, including acquiring illegal substances—is there to help, having set up camp inside Lori's head. It takes edgy (sometimes dark) humor, persisting poignancy, and a good dose of irreverence to face hard truths and tell this story of going the extra mile (or ten). After all, a promise is a promise. Right?
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About The Author

Lori Black is a left-brained retired nurse and pithy observationist who writes non-fiction because what could be more interesting and unbelievable that the truth? She is mother to a wonderfully complicated, blended family and an adult adoptee still on her journey. Shortly after her adopted mother's death, and as a direct result of that experience, she began learning the craft of writing. She has also written short pieces for both "Voices for Adoption: Memories and Stories" and "Severance, On the Aftermath of Separation." Lori makes her home in the Pacific Northwest where, when she's not writing, she loves to read, perform volunteer work, and occasionally hike. Above all, she adores her family, including her two fur babies, Roxy and Lila.
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