Customer Reviews

Beyond my Control: One Man's Struggle with Epilepsy, Seizure Surgery & Beyond

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I originally purchased "Beyond My Control," by Stuart "Ross" McCallum, thinking it would be a casual, yet interesting read. However, once I started reading the first chapter, I literally could not put it down until I had finished the book.

Although the book is a biographical, and at times harrowing tale, of Ross' struggles to find normalcy within an anomalous world of coping with epilepsy...the story flows with the feeling of a well-organized novel, rather than a dry, retelling of factual events.

Upon finishing his story, the realization that Ross survived his life-struggling ordeal (and lived to write about his experiences in an intellectual, often humorous manner)...is a miracle in itself. His story is more than an account of how Ross and his family, friends, and co-workers dealt with his epileptic episodes; it is also a fascinating look into the often misunderstood side-effects of the illness.

Ross' story is filled with heartache and hilarity; written in an educational and entertaining manner. "Beyond My Control" is a must-read, not just for the informative aspects of coping with a disabling illness, but more importantly for the pure "reading enjoyment" of his story.

Epilepsy is a condition I've read personal accounts of in the past, most of which have been vague or difficult to fully grasp; it seems there are few more difficult topics to (successfully) communicate than a neurological disorder and many personal a...more Epilepsy is a condition I've read personal accounts of in the past, most of which have been vague or difficult to fully grasp; it seems there are few more difficult topics to (successfully) communicate than a neurological disorder and many personal accounts end up vague or overly-clinical. This is why Stuart McCallum's book is so incredible.

While reading Beyond My Control, I felt the transcendence of a good book--it was as though I entered another world, a world in which I felt I understood what it was like to be at the mercy of this confounding neurological disorder. Stuart McCallum vividly recalls his life before his diagnosis and the confusion of Epilepsy's onset, but he doesn't cower. In fact, Stuart doesn't spend his pages wallowing in self-pity or asking "why me?" but instead inspires his readers with his courage and strength.

This is a story about one man's battle with Epilepsy, but it is a story for anyone who knows what it feels like to have life uprooted in an instant, who know the shock and helpless feeling of entering the unknown, but who refuse to be defeated by it.

McCallum's story is remarkable and completely engrossing. Reading it is much more like hearing a good story being told rather than reading it on the page. It was an excellent education for me -- to get the perspective that he communicated. I have no personal experience with epilepsy, but I felt that I could relate to his story. It is not an uncommon experience among human beings to find yourself in a situation where you have no control. I think it is an experience we all share, and knowing that helps us all understand and identify with what it means to struggle with epilepsy. He does an amazing job of bringing humor into a decidedly not funny situation, at one point, comparing his behavior to Basil Fawlty's. His pre- and post-surgery experiences were harrowing, getting through that part is hard to imagine. The short-term and long-term support that he received from other people was truly amazing -- and his story makes it so clear how crucial that support was. To sum it up, I'm very glad to have read it.

I read the book and I hope Stuart stays well. A great book for any having to deal with Epilepsy. The stark black and white cover is elegant. I think of Stuart Ross McCallum as a warrior, a warrior that by having told his story has offered to help carry the load of any walking this same difficult road. Often he mentions his family and the help it was knowing they were there for him.
The book is on my desk, I see Stuart's face every day. I think...when I see his face. I think...
Linda Newton-Perry

As a Marriage and Family Therapist for over 20 years and as a person with a debilitating illness myself, I felt compelled to share my thoughts about this compelling book with other potential readers. Yes, "Beyond My Control" delineates a man's courageous journey with epilepsy and a battle with an eating disorder, but.... it is so much more complex than that. It is a transformational journey that goes beyond these issues. Many of my clients/friends, and colleagues over the years, have struggled with illnesses,anxiety, fear, etc. This book is a universal story that all of us can be inspired by and is motivating for us all to continue to pursue our dreams no matter what our personal battles entail! I laughed and cried and experienced the gamut of human emotions while reading this book and it was very difficult to put it down until I was finished. AND even after reading it I am still haunted by the wonderful way this author expresses his personal thoughts and experiences, his wonderful sense of humor in the midst of very dark times and the testimony of his courage and that of his wife's. Through it all, this marvelous couple never waivered in their love for each other and for their children, in a way that is a testimony to the power of love to transform our daily lives. I wish I could give this book 10 stars, but I hope many more people will read this wonderful book.

Becoming Alice: A Memoir

As a teenager Stuart McCallum loved to eat, a habit which resulted in his becoming considerably obese. When the teasing of his peers become more than he could bear, he controlled his overeating to such a point that he was eventually diagnoses with anorexia nervosa. He was even hospitalized for this condition before he manged to reach a more normal state. It was at this point in time that he experienced the first of the many auras which he would suffer thereafter.

He describes the progression of these aura experiences and the development of the full blown case of severe epilepsy. We follow him through the many ways he attempts to control his fits, his ever changing course of medications, doctor appointments, hospitalizations, and finally through his surgeries (temporal lobe lobectomy)and the lengthy recovery period thereafter.

The reader cheers him on as he attempts to live a normal life, marrying his beloved Lisa, bearing two beautiful children, and running a successful business. We can only admire his spirit and courage throughout his life. At the end of this well-written book, one feels that we know this man personally. I would recommend this book, not only to anyone who may suffer this desease, but also anyone who is personally challenged in any other way.

What a truly amazing man to have gone through so much! This book is a great inside look at the ups and downs of life with a hidden enemy. To have your mind work against you, torment you, and have you unsure of reality. What a great man you are to continue searching until you had an idea of what you were dealing with and then to continue forward until you had beaten the disease that held you captive.

This is a must read for anyone who is unsure or unaware of what life is like with Epilepsy.

I am so happy you fought through this disease and then felt strong enough to share your struggles with all of us.

I loved this book and will recommend to Everyone!

Lori

Stuart is Magnificent!

Thank you Stuart for sharing your heartwrenching story with us and breaking down the barriers of your neurological disease in your fantastic, must read book, Beyond My Control. The moment I started reading your book, I could not put it down and I felt I was going through surgery with you! It was interesting to learn how much work is needed in the medical field to diagnose neurological disorders before it tears one's life apart!

Having braved the storm until you met medical competency is a testament to your strength and character, for few could have survived what you went through while holding down a business and family. I am so glad you are alive. You are truly a medical miracle and your incredible story will undoubtedly be a benefit to us all.

Having read Beyond My Control (twice now), I sincerely feel it belongs at the top of the bestseller list, and in medical journals around the world. You answered questions that many have been seeking for years about seizures and neurological diseases of the like. Doctors' in training could benefit a great deal by this wonderful book. I purchased my second copy today to pass on to friends!

Thanks Stuart for a courageous story of strength, courage and extreme bravery. You truly are my hero and many more!

I read Beyond My Control in essentially two sittings. It is about the author's dealing with decades of temporal lobe epilepsy with honesty, courage, and no shortage of humor. It starts with his developing an eating disorder and then segues into his continued battle with epilepsy. He describes his auras (which I have learned about as a medical writer), his seizures, and what he describes as his post-seizure states, during which his behavior runs from the ridiculous to the aggressive. Ironically, he was in the worst possible field for someone with epilepsy--someone who runs a store selling and installing stained glass!

After his seizures, he would run in turns being overly affectionate, intimidating, and violent. The epilepsy may have helped ruin his business. The book follows him through various medication regimens and various doctors, some very compassionate and other not. (My favorite example of the latter was the psychiatrist who stuffed tissue in her nose to hide the fact she was eating a sandwich during the consult!) The book culminates in his deciding to undergo two very risky and painful surgeries to have the offending part of the brain resected, which caused the most bizarre (and very interesting) hallucinations. At the end of this ordeal, he emerged as a more compassionate person, helping to alleviate others' pain. He fearlessly shares his scariest and most embarrassing moments, and more books should do this.

I have written about epilepsy from a medical perspective, but this book helped me understand how it changes one's perspective and sense of self. It was interesting to me as a casual bystander, but I think it's a must-read for someone who has epilepsy or has epilepsy in the family.

After reading Stuart Ross McCallum's Beyond My Control, I felt like I had just finished having a warm, open conversation with a good friend. This very personable author does a wonderful job of taking the reader through his twenty-year struggle with epilepsy.

McCallum's first awareness of epilepsy began with peculiar auras that produced sensations unlike anything he'd ever known. As time went on, these auras became a warning that something much more serious was about to happen. McCallum then began to experience violent frightening episodes that not only threatened his well-being, but those around him. This was all the more terrifying as he could not remember the wild things he would do and say after the episodes had ended. They were, as the title of this memoir indicates, beyond his control.

After much suffering, McCallum is eventually presented with the opportunity to consider seizure surgery -- and to consider the pros and cons of living with the most important decision of his life.

What I most appreciated about this book was the author's deep love and gratitude toward his family and friends, especially his wife, Lisa. What I found extremely valuable in McCallum's story is that I learned much more about the full scope of epilepsy than I ever knew. This was truly a compelling, eye-opening story that was a true pleasure to read. It is an easy and engaging read by a true gentleman.