Linda Bartee Doyne writes as LindaJane Riley, a woman who is from an era when women were nurturers and men were hunters. She learned very early in life to take care of the old, young or sick family members. When she left home, she had no intention of being a caretaker ever again. She married a Navy man, Riley, and supported him in every aspect of military life. But, when his alcoholism became too insane, she left him. Fifteen years later she makes a difficult choice to take care of her estranged, near-death, alcoholic husband. It was not an easy decision, but, for her, it was the only right decision. After all, she thought, it's only a short detour in my life. How long could he really last? LindaJane waited for Riley to die while taking care of his every need. She waited. But when he would just get to the end, he would miraculously survive. He seemed to be immortal. She dubbed him The Immortal Alcoholic. She struggles with the moral and legal issues of trying to keep him alive, or letting him die, while he clearly states he would rather be dead than sober. LindaJane seeks help and/or advice but receives very little from medical professionals and family. She finds the strength she needs from comments to the blog she created (Immortal Alcoholic) that she hoped would connect her to others in her situation. The comments inspire her to create a support group. She writes this book, The Immortal Alcoholic's Wife, and a Workbook for Caretakers of End-Stage Alcoholics. She learns to find her passion in writing and helping others through her experiences, disappointments, frustrations and humor. In spite of care-taking an immortal alcoholic, she is thriving. This book is her journey from childhood through Riley's hospice. It shares the knowledge she gains and the frustration from being inside the insanity. Anyone with an alcoholic in their life will find this book helpful, humorous and encouraging. Readers will find this book as a road map through the maze of alcoholic insanity.
About the Author: Linda Bartee Doyne grew up in the rich, fruitful agricultural heart of Northern California, but left her rural home town for the bright city lights of San Francisco. While there, she meets her future sailor husband and they move to the East Coast -- first to Virginia then to Connecticut and back again to Virginia. She travels back and forth across country so much, her brother nicknames her the "family gypsy." Eventually she settles into the countryside of Eastern North Carolina. The next to the oldest child and only daughter in a family of five children, Linda quickly learns that there are definitive roles for males and females. As much as she doesn't like it, she plays the role assigned to her very well. When she leaves home after graduation, she vows to never stereo-type herself again. Through the years she has several "careers" -- administrative office manager, newspaper reporter, and real estate title examiner. But, it wasn't until she started writing her blog the "Immortal Alcoholic" that she started feeling as though she had truly found her calling. She is above the age of "senior citizen" and feels that she has gained invaluable wisdom over the years. She happily shares her experiences with anyone who asks for her help. Most treasured in her life is her family including her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also lays claim to nieces, nephews, and other close family and friends as the most important people in her life.