Lou-Gehrigs-Disease Books

I actually was only going to read this book to prepare myself for the radio interview with this author (May 29, 2008 on In Short Order at [...]). Instead, I found myself glued to the pages of valuable information from a patient's view. By reading this book, those who know or take care of a person with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) will be better able to understand what the victim is going through - a better handle on things makes for a better friend/family member or care provider. Those who treat TBIs would benefit from this book more than most - what you can't see on tests can be learned here and therefore validate the diagnosis more quickly so that treatment can begin at an earlier stage. For those with a TBI, Lyme disease, or any disabling affliction, this book is your pair of ruby slippers.

Bruno equates a TBI to The Wizard of Oz classic. Although I have Lyme disease (which in many cases can be likened to a TBI), and can relate and benefit from this book, I never saw it put so simply - and well written. Just as Dorothy is whisked to another place, it is the same with most injuries and illnesses. We leave the life we know for a place we have never been before (and few want to make it a vacation spot). Come take the first step on the yellow brick road - where the journey to recovery begins.

Glinda (as we remember as the good witch) starts us on the path. Contacting organizations and support groups is an important step. Who doesn't need support, information, and to hear from others on virtually the same path? There are many things to do to prepare us for the first steps to recovery, but often we forget where we need to begin. Order is the way to end chaos. Support is the way to end aloneness. And information is the way to the next steps that must be taken if recovery is the goal. And don't forget, some who have grown accustomed to your disability-state may not want you to recover - learn why in "If I Only Had A Brain Injury."

There are the ruby slippers and the wicked witch. The information in this section is most helpful because it starts us focusing more closely on ourselves. Here we can begin to turn the injury or disease into a new beginning. When we beat ourselves up or refuse to accept what we cannot change, we slow or halt our journey. Forgiveness and identifying change are good things.

Okay, we're on our way. We may not be skipping yet, but we can add pep to our steps when we look at what can remove some of the stumbling blocks that have been preventing us forward movement on our road to recovery. Bruno learned that buying quality electronics (a computer monitor) cut down on her headaches and dizziness; which allowed her to work; which enabled her to earn a paycheck; which helped her to feel she was still in Kansas.

There are more ideas that are presented in this work - classical music, relationships with animals, and cultivating new friendships, to name a few. These will open new doors in the land of Oz and you may even discover new things about yourself that you never knew existed.

In "If I Only Had A Brain Injury," Bruno has given us a map of the Emerald City, introduced us to the Munchkins, and provided a beacon for anyone who is associated with injuries and disease. It is a one-of-a-kind book.

This a must read for all, with hopes that you find an owl in your life, too.


Sue Vogan
[...]

I got this book yesterday afternoon and I have been gobbling it up! Right from the start I identified with the writing. I, too, had a feeling that my evening at the outdoor amphitheater that July 26th night in 2005 could change my life. I didn't know how and so I ignored my irrational feelings. I went to the ballet and although we were sitting inside I must have picked up the tick as we walked across the lawn to the amphitheater. 10 days later, almost to the hour, I was very, very sick. The Lyme crossed the blood brain barrier and I have had neurological and emotional problems. My stupid neurologist says I am "in the normal range" even when I have vertigo and was falling back on my head walking down the street, have huge memory gaps, sometimes make no sense, etc. I told him it wasn't normal for me, but ended up getting nowhere and leaving his office in tears.
My boyfriend of 12 years (with whom I attended the ballet that night) became very frustrated and angry. I am no longer the same woman he signed up for. We separated in the Fall of 2007. He felt I was not "trying hard enough" to get better.
My family thinks I am mentally ill. In fact over the last 9 months I have been misdiagnosed with either depression or Bipolar II disorder and mis-medicated, which DID make me pretty crazy. I am now convinced I ought not to be on any medications but treat myself holistically. I have been medication free for one month and that has made a huge difference for me.
So, I am so thankful for the book! I am finding out that I need to listen to myself and not depend on doctors to be able to fix me or even diagnose me correctly. I have been changing my diet and using it as my medicine. I have been making sure to get outside and walk or recently I can bicycle again! Soak in some sun. Surround myself with positive people--no angry boyfriend--as much as possible. I am painting again.
I think I was already headed in this direction -- after 11 months of putting my hope and trust in, then floundering in, medical offices, hitting my head against (figurative) wall after wall. Laura Bruno's book gives me such strength and hope for this journey.

If I Only Had a Brain Injury is a beautifully conveyed book that is not only practical, simplistic, and full of easy to apply tips and tremendously helpful, thorough resources, but is also an artistic expression of genuine experience and compassion that takes one on a journey through Oz. Utilizing Dorothy and her friends' experiences to illustrate our own unfolding life processes creates a tangible and easily understood analogy, and coupled with Laura's own personal experiences, truly hits home and creates a relateability that transcends all boundaries. This is not only helpful for those with TBI and medical challenges as listed, but truly is a guideline and means of support for any and all challenges in life that can be simply applied. Finding myself challenged in overly mental focusing and truly not having the desire to do so either, I found Laura's book wonderfully supportive to this. It was easy, quick, and very clear, with nothing to have to read between the lines or mentally figure out. One can open the book to any page and find something valuable easily without it feeling out of context. This works well for people like myself who either don't have time to read, don't have much desire to read, or little focus to do so. You can pick up and leave off at any point and never feel lost and get exactly what you need at every turn. Laura is a beautiful example and expression for us all and one can only look forward to more wonderful books to come from her.

Injury took some mental abilities away.
Through that loss, author Laura Bruno,
finds an alternative path to health and
trusting herself. She demystifies many
medical mysteries all the while reassuring
those in similar situations not to suffer alone the
embarrassment and self consciousness of a
brain that is learning to function again -
perhaps differently. If I Only Had a Brain
Injury is a compendium of spiritual and
emotional support. It includes 52 healing
hints while leading its readers to become
wizards of their own healing. It offers
support to the caregiver and acknowledges
how events changes all involved.
Ultimately Laura Bruno wants everyone
to find their own deeper meaning of
injury - an opportunity to connect the
mind and heart - to live deeply, meaningfully,
and creatively through one's
essence.

If I Only Had a Brain Injury is a delightful, powerful and highly informative book. Beautifully written, Laura Bruno draws upon her experiences with her own Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from a car accident. Her descriptions are vivid, deeply and personal. The book is very supportive and is an excellent resource for those dealing with Traumatic Brain Injuries and their caregivers. The book is also vitally important for those dealing with challenging and mysterious health issues like Chronic Fatigue, Lyme Disease and Migraines.

Bruno tells her own story while expertly weaving her insights within the context of the Wizard of Oz. I loved the humor, playfulness and utter seriousness in the book in the chapter titles and content. In the chapter, Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bruno states that her aim is, "...to inspire you and to guide you to resources that will empower you to take control over your own health and wellbeing."

Gradually after Bruno's own accident she began to realize that she had entered into a new land, and needed to learn anew. She recounts these realizations in the chapter, We're not in Kansas Anymore. Bruno says, " Like Dorothy, I knew I could not return the way I arrived. Like Dorothy, I eventually found my way "back home," but I took the Technicolor journey with me. I wrote this book to help others to do so, to."

And, like Dorothy following the yellow brick road to find her way back home to Kansas, the book emphasizes actions you can take in your recovery from the symptoms of these various illnesses that are so mysterious to the medical community. Bruno says in the chapter titled "Glinda," that "This chapter suggests ways to find the Glinda's along your journey...Even in the Wizard of Oz, Glinda prefers to help Dorothy help herself." She includes an excellent listing of resources to contact. For instance, she notes that you might want to contact a Behavioral optometrist that specializes in connections in mind, body and vision because "...a majority of people with neurological issues suffer from visual impairment. If you have any of the flowing symptoms, you may benefit from visual therapy or prism lenses: Concentration problems; Double vision; Headaches; Difficulty reading; Balance disorders; Clumsiness; Eyestrain; Intolerance of flickering lights; Intolerance to varied backgrounds; Panic Attacks; Easily becoming overwhelmed; Vertigo.

If I Only Had a Brain Injury is like a breath of fresh air as it offers hope where typically there is none. As Bruno notes, so many head injuries and their effects are not detected, diagnosed or treated. Many people are told that they do not show any medical evidence of a medical injury even though they are experiencing severe difficulties in daily functioning since the time of their accident or since the onset of their illness. And, even when a brain injury and trauma is recognized, there have been very limited resources to assist in continued rehabilitation.

My level of awareness about the nature of head injuries and its effects has risen dramatically from reading this book. This includes helping me to understand some of my own experiences from knocking my head with numerous falls off of horses, minor car accidents and some of my own hard to diagnose symptoms. I now keep this book by my bedside for personal quick reference and I also have a copy available in my office for those clients who have had head injuries.

If I only Had a Brain Injury is an excellent resource that I very highly recommend for anyone who has experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury as well as their family members, caregivers, medical professional and therapists. For anyone whose life has been touched in some manner with a Traumatic Brain Injury or by any illness that has been a medical mystery, this book will be of great value.

I ordered this book for my husband who has Lou Gehrigs Disease, He said it gave him a lot of info which helped him

The Healing Works of Jesus is one of the most complete and easy-to-use reference guides I have seen concerning healings in the gospels. William Higgins has written a great resource book for every student of the Word that desires to grow in the knowledge of healing and miracles performed by Jesus. Practical charts that display the methods and order in which Jesus healed will save you countless hours of research, and studying this book will bring you into a deeper revelation of healing and a clearer understanding of how and when Jesus ministered healing.

The Healing Works of Jesus is an organized, practical, and faith-inspiring guide to the healing power of God. It is textbook quality and should be used in Bible college curricula around the world. I strongly recommend this book for anyone dealing with personal health issues or desiring to minister healing to others.

"Jesus gave a great many other signs in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book. But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that in that faith you may have life through his name. John 20:30-31

Rev. Bill J. Bush
Bill Bush Ministries, Inc.
-from The New Testament in Modern English
Translated by J. B. Phillips

This wonderfully spiritual book, written by a much-beloved pastor in my home town who is dying due to ALS, has helped a number of my friends and their families as death approaches. It provides comfort and the promise of God's Grace when needed the most.

To overcome an unbeatable disease is viewed by the established medical community as impossible. "River of Hope: My Journey with Kathy in Search of Healing from Lou Gehrig's Disease" is the personal story of Kathy Tank, as told by her husband who was alongside her every step of the way. When doctors wrote her off as doomed, she was determined to beat her Lou Gehrig's disease, and never stopped searching until she did. With great insight to the nuances of this ailment, "River of Hope" is a compelling biography and especially recommended for anyone with a family member with Lou Gehrig's disease or who are themselves afflicted.

If you're going through a struggle that seems hopeless, see how someone rises above the circumstance to choose to embrace his future. Howard, my Dad, may be passing away at any moment, but this world was not his home. With God you cannot loose!

This was the first book by John Feinstein I ever read. Caddy for life is an amazing view into the life of Bruce Edwards and Tom Waston. From the joys of the greens on the golf course, to the lows of Edwards' battle with Lou Gerig's diease. This is the most touching sports story I have ever heard, and I challenge anyone to read this and not feel pain or sorrow. This book transends words and gives the reader the insight into how Lou Gerig's diease affects both family and friends.

I've read several of John Feinstein's books, and have never been disappointed. This was one of his better efforts. It's the story of Bruce Edwards and Tom Watson. Edwards was a caddy, and was lucky enough to hook up with Watson back in 1973. He spent most of the next 30 years caddying for one of the best golfers and best people in the game.

The book tells the story of these two remarkable individuals, and shows how well-liked they both were on the PGA tour. The last part of the book describes the 2003 season, and how tough it was for both of them. Edwards was diagnosed with ALS at the beginnig of the year, and struggled to make it through one final season as Watson's caddy.

Watson is portrayed in the book as a great friend and boss. He realized how lucky he was to have Edwards as his caddy and friend for all those years, and Edwards was just as aware of how lucky he had been. It's just a shame they didn't have a few more years together.

On several occassions, I found myself getting choked up while reading this book. It is intensly personal and we're lucky to be provided with an up close view of what Bruce Edwards and those who loved and worked with him went threw. Experience is a hard thing to acquire, unless you actually have it. This book offers a rare exception to its reader.

Being an Avid Golfer, I was drawn by this story of courage under the face of the biggest adversity a person could ever face, knowing you are going to die. This story is a touching tribute to Bruce Edwards, the long time caddy to PGA tour vetran Tom Watson and a tribute to Bruce as not only a great caddy but a great person as well. It is a story of two men who forged a freindship over the years that brought them "Closer than Brothers" and a tribute to the class and dignity in which Bruce displayed in facing ALS or "Lou Gehrigs" disease.
We never know if and when something devestating will hit us or someone we love, but Bruce Edwards shows that you can have dignity in dying and that the Human Spirit prevails in the worse of conditions. A must read right there with Tuesdays with Morrie!

Perhaps my only mistake was choosing to start reading this book the same night I had finished John Feinstein's most recent effort, "Let Me Tell You a Story," his book about the legendary Celtics figure, Red Auerbach. For that reason and that reason only, it took me a little longer to get into this one. After all, following that one is almost impossible.

But this one does. It is at times funny and sad and as a result, there are times this book brings out a smile, but many times it brings out a tear. But through it all, Feinstien's gift for telling a story makes this book one of the best books I have read. It is a story about a caddy with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Bruce Edwards, the long-time caddy to golf great Tom Watson, was diagnosed with the fatal illness in January of 2003, a little more than two years ago. The book chronicles his life on the PGA Tour with, not only his brother-like relationship with Watson, but with everyone who ever came into his life. It is apparent that he touched a lot of lives during his 30+ year career on tour.

Through it all, until the end, Edwards was a picture of perservearance, bravery and courage. He refused to let the illness get the better of him. If memory serves, Edwards passed away shortly after this book was published. May he rest in peace.

This is a book that is apt tribute to the New York Yankees first baseman who was a hero both on the field and off. Nicknamed Iron Horse because of his incredible stamina.

Gehrig was diagnosed with a rare deadly disease on his 36th birthday. The grace and courage with which he faced this final challenge has been an inspiration to many.

This book is the sad story of Lou Gehrig, a true hero of New York. The up-beat drawings of the 1920's and 30's, really bring out the vibrant text.

After readind this book to my son, only once, I felt very sad about what happened. Maybe because my son is only 4, his reaction to this book was a lot of sadness, rather than liking the story, or learning about Baseball. I had to spend quite a bit of time explaining to him we (mom and dad) will not die and go to heaven just yet. He was so concerned we would not be around, and started asking so many questions about DEATH. My whole purpose of buying this book was to teach him about the sport, since he is getting so interested in it, and the experience was not even close to it. It is a good book to have and read about Lou Gehrig's history, but not for a 4 year old who just wants to understand and learn more about Baseball.

Lou Gehric was one of the best baseball player of all time despite his disease.Lou was a cool guy.He never mised a day at school for eight years.Samething in baseball he played about 2,120 games a record.He was a fighter in many ways but he's greatest battle was against his disease.Lou's record has been broken by Cal Ripken J.R.

Thank goodness I got my book from the library and it didn't cost me any money. I got interested in reading the book because I discovered that Harrison and I went to rival high schools, at about the same time. It was nostalgic for me to read about towns and culture that very few others know of. My grandfather had lived and died in the copper mines he writes about in the "U.P.". And I had just finished reading a Faulkner book (Absalom, Absalom) but certainly do NOT compare Harrison to Faulkner, as stated in a review. And I've read Gabriel García Márquez books, in English and Spanish, and would NOT compare the two at all, as has someone else. Harrison just goes on and on (not worthy to be classified magical realism) until he finally ends and then sends it off as a book to get published and collects the money. I hope it doesn't become a movie too. Or perhaps it was an autobiography.

I have to agree with the one and two star reviews. I had really hoped to love this novel given the reviews and the subject matter of a life examined, but the characters fell flat. I simply did not care about them or often found them unlikeable. Much of the story is inate ramblings about taking a walk, cooking dinner, having sex and it is all told in a "well whatever" fashion. I would not wast my time on this novel.

...because the characters and their digressions didn't capture me. I stopped reading after 125 pages.

This is the first novel I have read by this author. I thoroughly enjoyed it from the first to the last page. The narrative, in my opinion, was captivating and it was written well; it truly captured the consciousness of a dying man's thoughts. What I loved especially was the main character's narrative about his past, his culture and his ability to hold on to all of it in such a hectic world. His and other character's way of lives are in such contrast to the daily maze of madness 95% of us go through. At times during this novel, I almost wished I was one of the 5% who could have my days filled with walks in the woods and a general slowed down pace of life just enough to stop and see the bears or smell the roses.
I liked the other three main characters in the novel all equally as they each had a different perspective on what the main character's death did to them and how it affected the view they hold of the world.
At points, it was witty and made me laugh here and there because of the true nature of the tone and realistic sometimes blunt; though necessary for characterization, language.
Death isn't easy for anyone to deal with and most people can handle their own better than the one's they are close with, and in this novel I think Jim Harrison hits that aspect out of the park.
Could there have been more in depth discussion about Donald's culture or the history of his family? Maybe. But, in the end I really enjoyed the narrative and already miss the characters. They were all individuals but closely tied to one another with the common thread of having had Donald, the main character, as a part of their lives.

Jim Harrison is, quite simply, American's finest contemporary author. Few writers can craft a sequel that stands alone as a fine work of literature, but for Harrison it's a regular exercise. Harrison's characters are so well developed and completely compelling in their humanity, and the quality of his prose and the inventiveness he employs is remarkable. Harrison proves that we are a nation of interesting mortals whose lives are worthy of review and reflection and not fantastic superheroes doing the ridiculously impossible. At some point in the future historians and others interested in late 20th century Americana will turn to Harrison in general and "Returning to Earth" in particular to see how it really was. Excellent read.

Information is excessive, not strongly related to the subject and highly disorganized. I had higher hopes for the content of the disc and am extremely dissatisfied.