I was especially impressed for this review, JK, for taking the time to write it. Kudos to you! The review follows:
I purchased this book in Kindle format after “happening upon” the blog the author also writes. I was researching strokes and people who’ve survived them as a support for my hubby (who suffered a stroke) and myself (who feels like I suffered something I never dreamed I would).
To borrow the title of an Alannis Morrisette song, it’s “Ironic”, as I’ve worked for years in the medical field (Occupational Therapy). And many of those years have been in long term care/skilled rehab/nursing homes.
Ms. Hoffman details life inpatient in one of those facilities to a “T”. Capturing both the good and the bad. I’m about 2/3 of the way through her book, but I made myself stop reading it long enough to write this review. Mainly because I hope this book gets enough publicity to be a bestseller.
And NO, I’m in no way, shape, or form affiliated with the author or the publisher. Basically I’m a scared wife who’s trying to find my footing enough to help my husband whom I love dearly. This book has not only helped me, but has also helped my husband. Just talking and discussing different things including parts of this book has been helpful to know he’s not, we’re not the only ones who’ve experienced this.
I’ve read many books on strokes..from the technical to the anecdotal. I can honestly say this book is in the top 5 of the books I’ve read that detail life after stroke. I could actually picture the nursing home, the people, etc. as I read the words in this book. I’ve worked with CNAs just like she describes. And I’ve said many a time that often they truly are overworked and underpaid. But sometimes certain people should just choose a different career path.
If I didn’t know better, I would think Ms. Hoffman describes some of my fellow therapists as well..fortunately most of the ones I’ve worked with are dedicated professionals. Though I will say there has occasionally been 1 or 2 that I happily waved goodbye to as they moved on in their lives. In addition to my work experiences, I myself have had hospital stays. And I’ve dealt with some wonderful medical people and some not so wonderful medical people.
But it’s a whole different ball game when one cannot effectively communicate, or move freely about on their own. And sadly as often is the case in a nursing home setting, many people have no one to advocate for them. If you really think about it, it can be a very scary thought.
I find the writing style in this book to be honest…refreshingly honest. At times the honesty is hilarious, at times heartwarming, and at times heartbreaking. I’ll say the honesty is so much so that I’ve had to put the book down for a bit a time or 2. To catch my breath. Let me be completely honest myself here. I never in a million years considered the possibility my hubby (or myself for that matter) would have a stroke.
I think if most of us are completely honest, we’ve all at one time or another considered that “Not so great (ok, bad) things happen to other people…not me…not my spouse.” Or we just don’t consider certain things at all.
As in I just never gave a thought to my husband suffering a stroke. Especially at the age of 51. I know that’s not young..but it’s not OLD either. You’d think with my career, I would’ve at some point in time considered the possibilities “such and such COULD happen to so and so”. All I can say at this point is hindsight IS 20/20.
And even though I’ve worked with many stroke survivors, it in no way prepared me for the instant (yes, it literally is an instant) when life as I knew it changed…my husband was fine 1 minute, and “down for the count” the next. Yes, my background certainly helped me know something was seriously wrong, and it helped me know what to do as far as getting him medical care. I’d also venture to say sometimes having a medical background is not helpful.
As in my husband’s case, I knew something was terribly wrong. But I wasn’t able to move certain things along any quicker… Also, my background did not prepare me for the emotional aspects of it being my husband who is also now a “stroke patient”. With my emotional ill preparedness, I needed a book like this book…one that details in a down to earth, no holds barred, good, bad, ugly, and humorous manner the aspects of life after stroke. Yes, humor…I know it’s cliche, but sometimes laughter IS good medicine.
I love Ms. Hoffman’s writing style! From her blunt honesty to her self effacing humor, I almost feel like I’m reading a book I could’ve written. Sadly, I did not write it…but happily I did at least find a gal who did.
I’ll be back to give my 2 cents on how I feel about the book as a whole after I’ve read the last 1/3 of it. Please keep in mind my 2 cents is probably not even worth a penny. But this book has been well worth every bit I paid for it and more!
