Customer Reviews

After Surgery, Illness, or Trauma : 10 Practical Steps to Renewed Energy and Health

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can not believe that this book isn't on the best seller list! Send this to everyone and anyone you know who has suffered a physical trauma, heart attack, rehab for an accident, surgery, long term illness or what ever. You will be their second best friend - Regina Sara Ryan will be their best friend. She will guide them through the emotional and mental side of their trauma and rehab in a caring and empathetic manner. When I suffered from sudden and unexpected heart disease, all the left brained hospital did was send me home with a file on how to physically reshape live my life. What Ryan does is show you how to shape your rehab so that you can rebuild your life within the new physical you.

As so much of the medical world becomes more and more removed from the affects it has on the individual we all need information on the special psychological needs of healing. When I became ill with CMV (a more vicious form of Mono) that had me bed ridden and practically ruined my liver I got this book instead of the antidepressants the doctor prescribed. It has motivated me in some interesting directions, directions I probably wouldn't have considered with the very down to earth advice it gives for each stage. I have been ill for over a year and am still not fully recovered. Complete recovery will take more time still, if ever. The advice in this book has given me some of the tools to deal with this difficult fact. Something that none of the doctors have come close to offering.

This book has given me the tools to forgive myself for what was, and still is, beyond my control. I have begun to rediscover old hobbies and the gift of giving. In the last year, because of this book, I have finished a complicated cross-stitch project for one grandson and in the middle of another that before there would never have been time to create. In spite of illness I still am finding a feeling of validity and usefulness. And for that I am deeply grateful.

I found this book after having major surgery, and it was my bible during my recovery period. It provided me with a structure for my recovery process, and helped me to enhance both my physical and psychological healing while I was recuperating. Quite user-friendly, with specific experiential exercises.

I was injured, breaking my left leg this summer. I had surgery to reconstruct my leg and have spent much of the summer in a wheelchair. Many people have given me well intended but ill informed feedback. ("Oh, this will teach you compassion." In my head: I am compassionate and devote much of my life to service to others; I did not need this to teach it to me. "What a blessing, you get a good rest now." In my head: This is no rest - it is exhausting and grueling every day. And it's VERY scary.) Only someone who has lived through major injury and recovery can really get it; and he or she would NOT make such comments. The author of "After Surgery, Illness..." really gets it. She has lived through surgery and major injury. She is compassionate, not preachy. The author covers the physical, emotional, and spiritual waves that we face. She makes suggestions and does not presume to know what works for each of us. My only regret is that I did not find this book earlier in my recovery process. I hope that none of my friends and acquaintances will need the book in the future, but, if they do, I'll be sending a copy with my loving wishes. Finally, the book would be great for any friends or family helping someone to deal with recovery from surgery, illness, or trauma. If you have a friend or family member who is recovering, read this book and it will help you understand at least some of what he or she is experiencing and facing. And you will gain insight on how much you are needed and appreciated.

This book was like a much needed therapist / support group after tx. Just wish I had gotten it sooner. A must read after surgery.