With retirement approaching and his marriage on cruise control, George Shannon left for a much-needed vacation with his wife Carol. Their lives changed forever on their final night in Cabo San Lucas, when George awoke to find that Carol had suffered a debilitating stroke. As they rushed back to their hometown of Pittsburgh, questions, doubts, and fear consumed George's mind: Would Carol survive? What level of care would she need? Would George be up to the task of serving as her caregiver, a role he knew nothing about? During the next seven years, George and Carol would face a series of medical and personal challenges that would relentlessly test their resolve. Every day George would help Carol meet her needs, and every night, he would go to bed wondering whether he had done enough. He soon discovered that the caregiver role comes with unexpected rewards--gifts that would leave him a better, happier, and more fulfilled man. The Best Seven Years of My Life is the tale of an unlikely caregiver, a journey to rediscovering humility, and the story of a man blessed with the amazing chance to fall in love all over again. A courageous, sad debut memoir on being a caregiver to a terminally ill family member. After 41 years of marriage, George and Carol Shannon's time together became increasingly marked by silence. Their three sons had left home, and the couple had taken to living ostensibly separate lives, with George spending time at the driving range working on his golf swing and Carol consumed by her books. This "extended stale phase," as George calls it, ended abruptly during a trip to Cabo with family. Carol had been subject to "mini-strokes" in the past, but on this occasion, the stroke severely affected the movement of much of her body and speech. Faced with an uncertain future, George, a cancer survivor, provided the majority of Carol's care following her discharge from the hospital. The memoir is written from the first-person perspective of George and is co-authored by George's middle son, Chad Shannon, who would often stand in for his father as caregiver. The authors reveal the continual tension and sometimes-frantic rush associated with caring for a sick loved one: "I knew [Chad] could be at the hospital within minutes....I flew for the giant entrance to the unit...this unit was the hospital's crisis center. The people they brought here faced death." The mix of terror and hope is palpable on such occasions. They also find humor and positivity in difficulty, describing how the stroke revealed elements of the "true Carol," transforming her from a "once-unassuming woman" to "a minor celebrity" at her rehab facility who dropped a "dozen F-bombs as she performed a therapy drill." George shares his emotions candidly throughout. At the time of Carol's stroke, he says: "I told myself that if Carol survived this, then I would devote my life to making hers better." Given that the memoir is co-written, Chad's perspective, which would have added extra narrative dimension, feels strangely lacking. Still, illustrated with family photographs throughout, this remains a tenderly written memoir that pays testament to the selflessness that springs from unconditional love.-- Kirkus Reviews George Shannon lays claim to the story behind The Best Seven Years of My Life, but he leaves the writing credit to his son Chad. George enjoyed success throughout his career as a sales and marketing executive. He applied those learned skills to navigating the healthcare system as Carol's advocate. While George was taking care of Carol's health, Carol was quietly showing the way to a humble and loving relationship. The entire experience transformed George's approach to accepting himself as he is, the circumstances as they are, and those around him as they are. Humility and unconditional love were the result. Chad Patrick Shannon is a freelance writer, story consultant, and attorney. He has written articles, film scripts, comedy sketches, plays, and historical/legacy pieces, but he couldn't have asked for a better subject for his first full-length book, The Best Seven Years of My Life. In addition to his own writing, Chad consults with writers, attorneys, and healthcare organizations to develop story structure and narrative techniques. He has also written and directed three award-winning short films. He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife and creative better half, Catherine, along with their dog, Stella.