Dying Minds

By A. Peter Perdian

*** Death On My Terms ***

Dying Minds is a short story. It's a suspenseful medical tale of a divorced man in the prime of life who receives a diagnosis of dementia, early-onset Alzheimer's. The story deals with how he and those around him cope with his condition, a disease without a cure, a disease that will destroy his mind while leaving his body alive for many years. Once his initial shock recedes, he reveals the truth to his daughter and best friend . . . and then to others. As the disease progresses,  his life begins to unravel. While still cognizant of who he is, he questions the quality of his limited future--eventually coming to a fateful decision.

Excerpt:

As Howard Foss left the doctor's office, he paused outside the door, glancing up and down the hallway. The test results had confirmed his worst fear. He had dementia, probably early-onset Alzheimer's the doctor had said. Though he'd halfway expected the diagnosis, he still found it a devastating piece of news to absorb. It's not fair, he thought. Why him? He'd always taken care of himself. He ate right, exercised regularly and had given up smoking twenty years ago. He'd even taken up running marathons, mixing it in with his kayaking and cross-country skiing.

Months later . . .

Excerpt:

He wakes up disoriented, frightened. Where is he? Who is he? A moment later as he drags himself out of bed, everything begins falling into place. This time, though, it took him a little longer than the day before to remember who he was. He swallows, coughing to clear his throat, telling himself that's the nature of the disease: Alzheimer’s.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. P. Perdian
• Release date: Mar 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781502273543