__"In a heartbeat, I now had a new full-time job... as Dale's caregiver."__What do you do when suddenly, in one devastating moment, you're a patient advocate - nurse - decision maker 24/7? You begin to glean and gather in the midst of all the caregiving.

Personal stories. Research. Successes. Failures. Truth.

This journal recounts a caregiver's journey with a husband who suffered multiple strokes, lost his ability to talk, and fought his way back to living life fully in his highly individual-and ultimately wonderful, "new normal" way. Only those in the 24/7 caregiving role truly understand the depth and weightiness of this responsibility - facing the great unknown of physical, mental and emotional trauma.

For all those extraordinary individuals who find themselves thrust into this seemingly nonstop caregiving...and for their families, Donna tells her story. Highly personal, she offers insights to be gleaned from the pages of her public and private writings - the good, the bad, and even the ugly.

Through the Fire will encourage caregivers not merely to survive but to thrive in walking their own ever-changing path as they meet the often overwhelming needs of the care-needing person that they love.