http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews en-us http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2012/05/06/mysteries-of-the-mind-richard-restak http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2012/05/06/mysteries-of-the-mind-richard-restak Sun, 06 May 2012 16:36:59 GMT steven5 http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2012/04/29/opening-the-minds-eye-how-images-and-language-teac http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2012/04/29/opening-the-minds-eye-how-images-and-language-teac Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:43:30 GMT steven5 http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2012/04/16/book-review-curveball-when-life-throws-you-a-brain http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2012/04/16/book-review-curveball-when-life-throws-you-a-brain
There’s good reason for that: Ms. Holzemer is a professional writer and journalist, and the book reads like it was written by a professional.

I liked how she deftly leverages the fact that her husband was a professional baseball player. Why is that important? First, she knits his postings to various clubs into the narrative, which provides important context for several developments.  And, secondly, she weaves a series of baseball quotes/sayings/insights into her story that are remarkably relevant to their journey. For me, the quotes alone were worth the price of the book.

I don’t know of anybody who’s had meningioma who hasn’t had significant hurdles along the way.  She explains those bumps with all the appropriate emotions that one experiences when your expectations of good health, or straight-forward recovery, goes awry.

I also have a soft spot for anybody who “gives back” to the community.  Through the non-profit she created, Meningioma Mommas, Ms. Holzemer has done more than her fair share.

Perhaps most importantly, she has a nifty section in the back of her book that she calls “Liz’s Brain Tumor Manuals Defined.” Basically it’s a brain tumor survival guide that she wishes she had when she first learned that she had a brain tumor. If you know somebody that’s just learned that they have a meningioma brain tumor, start them at this section.

You may need to order her book through Amazon as I couldn’t find it in my local library, so here’s a link to it: http://www.amazon.com/Curveball-When-Throws-Brain-Tumor/dp/0978945670/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334179675&sr=8-1

And here’s a link to Meningioma Mommas: http://meningiomamommas.com/ ]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:26:46 GMT http://johnstumor.blogspot.com/ http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2012/02/22/the-brain-that-changes-itself-by-doidge http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2012/02/22/the-brain-that-changes-itself-by-doidge
Steven]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:21:38 GMT steven5 http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2012/01/06/the-gabby-giffords-book-review http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2012/01/06/the-gabby-giffords-book-review
I am happy to report that the book works on many levels. It's an interesting story of the lives of two highly accomplished individuals - Congresswoman Giffords and Astronaut Mark Kelly.
And it’s also an honest portrayal of the trials of rehab and recovery.

The book makes it clear that Gabby's injuries were horrifically acute, and her recovery has been slow and painful. It reports that she has lost 50% of her vision; that her right hand and arm are less than functional; that she wears a brace; and that she has continues to undergo rehab for aphasia (an impairment of language ability). Here’s a link to her Diane Sawyer interview which gives a good sense of her aphasia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqH5v-VVp28

Given where she started from, however, her recovery is nothing but miraculous.

At times I yearned for a bit more about Gabby and a bit less about Mark, but she's not really ready to talk or write much. And it’s clear that he loves her as you can see from this U2 video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ydz5-ecdpg

Importantly, the emotional storyline feels real and heartfelt. Said differently, if you don’t at least mentally tear up during some section of the book, it’s time to get your oil checked, because you’re not human.]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:35:13 GMT http://johnstumor.blogspot.com/ http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2011/12/12/dr-david-eagleman---the-carl-sagan-of-brains http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2011/12/12/dr-david-eagleman---the-carl-sagan-of-brains
For example, his “Team of Rivals” description of the workings of the brain helped me understand, when I’m arguing with myself, whom I’m arguing with. This happens to me the most when I want a piece of pie or bowl of ice cream but know that it’s not particularly good for me. Yes, this is almost a daily argument.

His commentary on how our actions are irrevocably tied to our biology, are particularly relevant to those of us that have had brain surgery.  In this arena, he discusses the behavioral changes of folks with brain tumors – an on-going topic on this site and related brain tumor websites.

Is he controversial? Yes. Did I agree with or even understand all his positions? No.

If you want to learn a bit more, before putting on reserve at your local library, I recommend that you listen to Terry Gross’ interview with Dr. Eagleman on her Fresh Air program: http://www.npr.org/2011/05/31/136495499/incognito-whats-hiding-in-the-unconscious-mind

PS - The book, Team of Rivals, was written by Doris Kearns Goodwin and is about Abraham Lincoln’s cabinet. If you like history books or the civil war, it’s well worth reading. ]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:23:27 GMT http://johnstumor.blogspot.com/ http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2011/11/30/gabby-a-story-of-courage-and-hope http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2011/11/30/gabby-a-story-of-courage-and-hope
John]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:28:12 GMT http://johnstumor.blogspot.com/ http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2011/11/02/i-had-brain-surgery-whats-your-excuse-by-suzy-beck http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2011/11/02/i-had-brain-surgery-whats-your-excuse-by-suzy-beck
John Kerastas
http://johnstumor.blogspot.com/]]> Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:42:14 GMT http://johnstumor.blogspot.com/ http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2011/10/20/cherokee-neurosurgeon http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2011/10/20/cherokee-neurosurgeon
The book is not only historical, but quite enlightening as it gives fascinating insight into Dr. Wilson's inspirations, achievements, and failures—revealing how Dr. Wilson achieved international success, and how his family and colleagues suffered from his fanatical work ethic, blunt perfectionism, and excessive energy.

If you're interesting in neurosurgical history, and learning some more background about the field of neuro-oncology, this is a great read. ]]> Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:55:21 GMT BTANEURO http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2011/03/22/hope-through-the-eyes-of-love http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2011/03/22/hope-through-the-eyes-of-love Signed copies available at http://prgauvin.blogspot.com or through publisher at www.patriciameservegauvin.com
Newly published memoir summary: Our lives, after the diagnosis and subsequent treatment, of my husband for a brain tumor, clearly have taken a path less traveled. Yet our journey has and continues to be, a journey of hope, of joy and of unyielding commitment. We invite you into our lives, a view of our childhood, marriage, a marriage separate from convention, yet strongly bound. Join us as we recall the last twenty-five years. Twenty of which have been spent LIVING with a brain tumor. Come, witness our challenges and discover our triumphs as we reinvent our relationship, struggle to redefine marriage roles, communication styles, and reclaim intimacy after illness.

Patricia Meserve Gauvin has a background in nursing with various jobs all enabling her to be her husband Ron’s advocate, caregiver, rehabilitation nurse and home health care clinician during his past 20 year triumph with a brain tumor. Patti wrote her husband’s autobiography and developed a model for living through adversity for her master’s thesis at Antioch New England. She facilitated a brain tumor support group for several years, culminating in leading a panel discussion for long term survivors at the Brain Tumor Society national symposium. This memoir shows Patti’s unique perspective and commitment as a wife.

Patti and Ron grew up in NH and have now settled on the northwest gulf coast of Florida, their “paradise found”. They both enjoy gardening, walking the beach searching for sand dollars and watching dolphins play in the surf.
]]> Tue, 22 Mar 2011 22:39:56 GMT Patti Gauvin http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2010/08/23/an-unremarkable-man---a-survivors-story http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2010/08/23/an-unremarkable-man---a-survivors-story An Unremarkable Man, is now available on amazon.com and bn.com. I longed for such a resource when I was diagnosed 6.5 years ago, but found very little literature from survivors. This is an attempt to partially close that gap. All net proceeds from sales of this book are donated to brain tumor foundations.

Please review my story at www.jerrykline.net.]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:18:25 GMT Jerry Kline http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2010/08/12/i-had-brain-surgery-whats-your-excuse-suzy-becker http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2010/08/12/i-had-brain-surgery-whats-your-excuse-suzy-becker
I found it to be light-hearted, but not disrespectful. And an excellent story told from the perspective of the patient. I recommended it to my mom, but I don't think she appreciated it as much as a caregiver. Suzy does make some jokes about the diagnosis and surgery, but I found them funny since I've been through this.]]> Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:16:38 GMT erbur78 http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2010/08/11/my-stroke-of-insight-by-jill-bolt-taylor http://my.braintumorcommunity.org/discussions/book-reviews/2010/08/11/my-stroke-of-insight-by-jill-bolt-taylor and I'm generally not like that. It's the only book that I've read on TBI that delt with both the emotional and neurological sides of things. I would strongly recommend it.

And for anyone wondering, no I am not a part of Oprah's book club! My sister recommended it.]]> Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:48:15 GMT The Amygdala