Medcups and Memoirs

I love this book. I am also a nurse. I first began my nursing career in a nursing home, found it too hard and to depressing, and after about a year I went to the hospital. I have been there for 26 years. I have sat by the bed of many who passed on during those 26 years and have had the screamers, etc. I could identify with each patient. I sure hope this book gets published. Thanks for writing it. I have backed it, of course. Have a great
day. Janet

Ah, I shied away from this book for a few days before being brave enough to read it (a tough subject matter I would say) but it's beautifully written and quite poignant in it's own way, I'm impressed. I haven't finished yet so I'm waiting to see if 'the screamer' (the resident who screams continually through all waking hours for reasons unknown to everyone) will feature as I have always wondered how homes cope with that phenomenon :-)

Of course at 95 years old this is life as I somewhat know it although I am blessed to still live on my own and drive, etc. Getting old is tough but what is the alternative. I liked this bittersweet take on nursing home life. Shelved.

HS
Priority Gal

brilliant, touching, real and well written. I have been nursing for 9 years and have shed many a tear when a patient I've cared for passed away. Well done, backed and rated highly. Sue Harries ''It's a Dog's Life''

This is such a beautiful, touching story Carrie. You write with such compassion. So many people think growing old and the elderly are either disgusting or distasteful, yet growing old is the one thing every person in the world, whatever their position or circumstance, must do, God willing. And though elderly people can be forgetful, irritating or unpleasant, they can also be great fonts of wisdom. Many have suffered or endured hardship that young people could never imagine; I have read all the uploaded chapters and have rated you six stars. Your book is backed and on w/l.

Kate Grimes -LIZZIE -CUPPA TALES -TALES OF WILLOW GREEN

I love this book. I am also a nurse. I first began my nursing career in a nursing home, found it too hard and to depressing, and after about a year I went to the hospital. I have been there for 26 years. I have sat by the bed of many who passed on during those 26 years and have had the screamers, etc. I could identify with each patient. I sure hope this book gets published. Thanks for writing it. I have backed it, of course. Have a great
day. Janet

Ah, I shied away from this book for a few days before being brave enough to read it (a tough subject matter I would say) but it's beautifully written and quite poignant in it's own way, I'm impressed. I haven't finished yet so I'm waiting to see if 'the screamer' (the resident who screams continually through all waking hours for reasons unknown to everyone) will feature as I have always wondered how homes cope with that phenomenon :-)

da vinci, i think it was, perhaps micheangelo,finding a man expired in the street with the look of contentment on his face then did an autopsy on the man to find what was the reason for such a peaceful death, john donne said we are all diminished by another's death, or something to that effect, i've found by focusing on others we are often transported from oursleves, by becoming the observer we loose sense of self, you convey that reality here, there is wonder in life's end that a nurse knows, i like how you weave into your tale the knowing exchanges between nurses, one knows what the other feels, i think the episodic quality is right here, this is in a way a series of short stories held together by circumstance, i am not sure if you in later chapters bring in more of your life or your family's, other than incidentally, ok if you do but somehow i think the book's world is in this "home", not going to write much on lanquage here, suffice it to say that if you can elicit the feeling that you obvioulsy do then you are using language well, you write well, you can go through and edit and sharpen your language if you will, and i figure you will, i do think it is wise to remember, and i am sure that you know this, even in an autobiography the protagonist is really not the author but a character in the book, i back the book, oh by the way thanks for backing "crow diary",

Carrie,
I am glad you've chosen to write this piece. Chapter one. A beautifully moving introduction to this topic, this world of the aged. I really want to see Medcups and Memoirs succeed, so please realize my intention as I offer nits--as if we're sitting in Starbucks just talking through your work. The opening line could be better, IMHO. What do you think about: Outside the modest window, the sky paled to dull grey. ?? Light followed by Night could distract. Tightening a tad could make the opening stronger, I think. I love the rest.
Later, it might be better to change the pronoun to the name here: I bolted to Evelyn's side. We the reader know who you mean by 'her' side, but it might be smoother to remove any bit of doubt.
A wonderful chapter, this. The scene is sensitive and well-developed. I will comment on the rest soon and will rate then.
Cheers!
John B Campbell

Of course at 95 years old this is life as I somewhat know it although I am blessed to still live on my own and drive, etc. Getting old is tough but what is the alternative. I liked this bittersweet take on nursing home life. Shelved.

HS
Priority Gal

i like your opening paragraph. it is visually and emotionally vivid.

TRY: The woman before me has long since decided to leavePERIOD However, her body has had other plans and holds her spirit captive.

you second paragraph has several incomplete sentences and reads like a list. a slight tweak might help the sentences make more impact.

i wonder why the dialogue is in quotes AND italics.

i am interested in knowing more about the narrator and why it's important to her to be with her patient at the end. you give us a glimpse of her when you reference her struggle to quit smoking. i think if you give more of a connection to the narrator, you'll give the reader more reason to read the next chapter.

hope this helps.

Beautiful writing. Sometimes difficult to read, but I am so glad I did. We all grow old (if we are lucky). It is obvious that you have a deep affection for the elderly characters, as well as the reader. I found it sweet, sad, and yet at times, funny. Very genuine work. Best of luck to you!

brilliant, touching, real and well written. I have been nursing for 9 years and have shed many a tear when a patient I've cared for passed away. Well done, backed and rated highly. Sue Harries ''It's a Dog's Life''

An exceptional piece of writing covering a subject that many prefer to avoid. I was touched and reassured by the humanity in your voice. You deserve to do well with this current and socially enligthening work. Backed, shelved, and rated six stars. Best wishes, Richard

I worked as a CNA at a "home" when I was younger. Dignity and love, once just important become everything. You really pulled me in. Thank you, writing this book. Two thumbs up.

I worked as a CNA at a "home" when I was younger. Dignity and love, once just important become everything. You really pulled me in. Thank you, writing this book. Two thumbs up.

interesting idea told very well; you use good narrative and descriptions. this could be a real winner; backed with 6 stars******
read SEASONS...

I think you really have the beginnings of something special here. Really gets one thinking about how we treat older people.; most of us forget just how special they are and what their lives can teach us. We waste these opportunities, thinking we know it all. You have done a good job so far. keep it up.
Good luck
Alice

worked as a feeder during my teemage years so the book brings back memories. Well written.
Red

Hi Carrie, I have the utmost admiration for carers of elders with dementia. I've only read the first 2 ch's but your writing portrays with sensitivity the trials, concerns and joys of such caring. It needs an edit and tightening here and there but nothing major. Nice one! Backed Val

Carrie, I've just read the first chapter of your book, and, I must say--Wow. I work in a group home with an elderly gentleman who has both mental retardation and dementia (he is my favorite), and it frightens me to death knowing that someday, I'm going to go to work, and he's not going to be there. You have captured those thoughts and feelings surrouding a loved one's death, and beautifully related them on paper. I'm backing your book with pleasure, and cannot wait to see this on store shelves. Good luck!