See It
Coming
“Mary Lou Falcone is an expert storyteller. After years of telling other people’s stories, she now tells her own compelling story.”
– JAMES TAYLOR, Singer-songwriter
“Mary Lou Falcone’s matchless gift for conveying the voices and artistry of others has taken her to the pinnacle of success in classical music public relations. In her powerful memoir, I Didn’t See It Coming, she finally employs that talent to tell her own story, entering into the perspectives of those closest to her at pivotal moments in her life. It is a fascinating approach, made more moving by the inclusion of poetry, the illustrations of her beloved husband, and her own unflinching journal of his final illness. Beyond being essential reading for those caring for someone with Lewy body dementia, I Didn’t See It Coming is a beautifully rendered, inspiring chronicle of determination, resilience, and boundless love.”
– RENÉE FLEMING, Soprano
“Mary Lou Falcone writes like no other about Lewy body dementia. With love, insight, and compassion, she shares that during extremely difficult moments strength kicks in and a painful journey can also be one from which you can emerge with a new sense of purpose. An important book for caregivers who are struggling with someone affected by dementia, especially LBD.”
– JAAP VAN ZWEDEN, Music Director, New York Philharmonic
– AALTJE VAN ZWEDEN, Author and Founder, Papageno Foundation
“Finally, Lewy body dementia (LBD) – a disease that has been vastly unknown and misunderstood for decades – comes out of the shadows. Mary Lou Falcone’s candid and intriguing memoir enlightens us on the disease and the difficulties of caregiving, while inspiring us with a life well-lived and filled with love.”
– NORMA LOEB, Founder, Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center
“My thanks for sharing this important story with so many people who will appreciate the support you are giving them with this book.”
– ELLEN WINDEMUTH, Academy Award winning filmmaker of My Octopus Teacher
“I Didn’t See It Coming will be a powerful aid, insight, and support to people who have a loved one going through transformation and ultimately death from LBD. It also carries meaning beyond that for anyone losing a cherished partner to the slow torment that so many diseases bring. It is not an easy read emotionally, but it is a worthwhile one.”
– DEBORAH BORDA, Past President and CEO of the New York Philharmonic
“You have truly brought information, love, compassion to this topic (LBD) and will educate and help so many.”
– DR. ELAINE MISCHLER, Retired pediatric pulmonologist
“You took your ‘autobiography,’ gave it a sense of purpose and urgency by uniting it with your love story and the tribulations of dealing with a filthy disease, thus giving it a compelling universality. WOW. I predict a bestseller, a movie, and everything else.”
– JANE SCOVELL, Collaborative biographer of Elizabeth Taylor, Ginger Rogers, Marilyn Horne
“Congratulations on this important achievement: a significant event in the continued struggle for visibility and ultimately progress in the battle against Lewy body dementia. The video on the website is heartfelt and compelling…thank you for sharing Nicky’s story, and your story. You continue to inspire me and countless others.”
– DAVID BOHNETT, Philanthropist and technology entrepreneur; Presidential Trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Vice-Chair of the Los Angeles Philharmonic
“I am moved on so many levels… including your MAJOR accomplishment in achieving all that went into this project and your DEEP courage to share a personal and difficult experience.”
– HANAKO YAMAGUCHI, Arts administrator
“With the rise of cognitive illnesses and our growing, aging population, we must seek to better understand and address the needs of individuals and their loved ones impacted by the different forms of dementia. Mary Lou Falcone’s personal and raw account of Nicky Zann’s Lewy body dementia diagnosis opens a dialogue on what is needed to support individuals and their care partners living with this neurodegenerative disease. Mary Lou is a courageous trailblazer who is sharing her lived experience so that others can find the support, education, and resources needed. A simple first step in growing Lewy body awareness starts with knowing how to spell it: L-E-W-Y.”
– BRITTANY CASSIN, CEO + Co-founder of DigiCARE Realized (a company focused on modernizing care in complex brain disease)