Until We Knew

Until We Knew is a poignant self-depiction of one woman''s dilemma in love and grief. Thehusband of Elisabet O Klint was not yet sixty when he was diagnosed with ALS andfrontotemporal dementia (FTD). This notebook, a retrospective diary, is about the year theyfought against his illnesses and lived with this sorrow. In her autobiographical story, Klintallows us to accompany her through life as it happened, with the aid of notes jotted downretrospectively in her diary. Her words grip the reader as she brings to life the struggle thatdeveloped when her husband faced two life-threatening diseases with no cure. She hoped tobe able to understand these illnesses and the suffering of her husband. More than that, shehopes the one who is facing a similar situation can get comforted and helped. "I felt supported by many but unnecessarily lonely too. My husband was not yet sixty when diagnosed with ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).Both of which we knew nothing about before the slow and challenging path towardsdiagnoses.I dream that I am speaking for both of us and that we are listening together to the story that Iam telling. I watch him smiling, laughing, and gesticulating to show his feelings. Could Ihave made him any happier, more comfortable, or more secure? Or was he happy perhaps,and even thankful deep inside that I was there for him the entire time? Which of his actionswere really his own, and which resulted from his illnesses? I took care of him and theincreasing needs as the diseases progressed. These are terminal illnesses with expected andunexpected developments. A day-to-day roller coaster. Each day full of emotions, someconflicting. A continues battle for someone who disappears. By sharing our story, I hope to contribute and raise awareness of FTD and ALS. I wish thesepages can somehow educate. I''m convinced that certain areas in healthcare could improveby much with small changes. "