I wish there had been a book like this when I was fighting alongside my partner, Stella, as her 24/7 caregiver in a 19-month battle against the deadliest brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Too often I felt sideswiped by unexpected obstacles. The Internet was a great resource, but having a book at hand illuminating the day-to-day struggle--treatments, questions, decisions, emotions, surprises--would have helped immensely.

After Stella died in November 2000, I wanted to write such a guidebook for caregivers and patients who, sadly, are following in our footsteps. As I reviewed...