Dancing around the Chaos: The True Story of One Couple's Battle with Alzheimer's

"A story of sickness and health, 'Dancing around the Chaos' tells the love story of Joe and Reta, whose lives were irrevocably altered by Alzheimer's disease. A frank portrayal of caregiving, Tracie's story shines with beauty, dignity, and unending compassion." 

—Julie E. Kutac, PhD | Professional Education and Research Specialist | Alzheimer's Association - Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter 


Since more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, most of us know someone whose world it has invaded. Alzheimer’s is a rough journey, with many unexpected twists and turns, and it’s nothing like what most of us imagined for our future. Most families end up navigating the journey alone—guarding the diagnosis, keeping the secret, and stumbling through the process. 

"Dancing around the Chaos" seeks to bring the experiences surrounding Alzheimer’s into the open so that we can learn from one another instead of struggling to figure it out alone, dreading what the next day will bring but too exhausted and afraid to think beyond the present.  This book chronicles a sweet and tender love story, a story that really happened, whose characters are real people. Passionate and deeply moving, it shares lessons learned, hope, and inspiration for others on the same long road to goodbye.