DESCRIPTION:

At age forty, Jim Lavene became diabetic. It was the turning point of his life and a marker in his family's lives. He wanted answers to his disease that didn't come from a bottle or a syringe. He wanted to understand what was happening to him, mentally, physically, and spiritually. His search took him and his family in exploration of the great adventure of living. What constitutes commitment to life? How does chronic disease affect the person and their loved ones? The answers to these questions are what defines all of us. They are what sets us apart and draws us together. This is more than just one family's story. It is the struggle to survive, spirit intact, through serious illness. It's about learning to live better with an illness, than you have ever lived before.

REVIEWS:

"Authors James and Joyce Lavene are best known for their well-written romances. Their collaboration on THE ALTERNATIVE DIABETIC, though, is as far from a romance as one can get. At the age of forty-one, Jim began to have trouble with his eyes, had unexplained exhaustion, almost constant thirst, and he was losing weight without trying to. His family noticed his uncharacteristic irritability as well as his need for frequent visits to the bathroom...I hope that this book will be made available to as many diabetics and their families as possible. Regardless of whether someone follows every suggestion or not, the positive attitude encouraged in THE ALTERNATIVE DIABETIC can't help but make a difference. It's a wonderfully written, honest method for facing any disease. Kudos to the Lavenes for sharing their experience and knowledge." Reviewed by Jani Brooks for Romance Reviews Today

"When picking up a book about diabetes, you expect a dry, factual, impersonal book that describes the medical version of the breakdown of your insulin producing pancreas and the different signs and symptoms, not a book that is heartwarming, personal and something every single person who has diabetes can say, 'wait a minute, that's what happened to me!' Joyce and Jim Lavene tackle this subject with a unique approach, through first person experience from the patient's point of view as to what is happening. They discuss their emotions, the family's reaction, the struggle of changing your entire life because of one small dysfunction of the body. I was thrilled with the unique approach, in this very identifiable I've-been-there feeling that the Lavene's provoke through their personal struggle of a life changing experience. I encourage anyone who is or has a family member who is a diabetic to pick up this book and read it." Christian Romance Author Cheryl Wolverton

Letter from reader of Alternative Diabetic: "I guess this is just my long-winded way of saying thank you. I really, really liked Alternative Diabetic and printed it out so I can add it to my physical library. I already have sticky notes on some of the pages. Thanks for giving me the address to order the book. It really helped to kick that will to get it right back into action."

Take care,

DeniseK (from Dreams to Reality)