Customer Reviews

Conquering Stroke: How I Fought My Way Back and How You Can Too

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a stroke survivor myself, I am thrilled with this very informative, inspirational, moving account of Valerie Greene's journey. What an incredible amount of work and heart have gone into this long awaited account of her triumphs over a catastrophic event in her very young years and what maturity and obvious study and hard work have gone into her writing of this book. The information supplied at the end of each chapter is invaluable! I've read a lot since having my stroke in July of 2000, but never has so much been provided in one account. I highly recommend this for any and all people who have in any way been touched by a stroke and for the caregivers who are the heart of encouraging the survivors as they continue along their journey with new and different goals, yet hope for a bright tomorrow!

This book is both inspirational and confrontational! Greene's story graphically records the onset of her stroke and how she wrestled with the effects of stroke during the early days -- but then takes us along on her uphill battle and ultimate recovery from one of the most severe forms of stroke. She went from defeat to triumph and gives details as to how we all can do it, too. I also appreciated, as a caregiver, the way she confronted the issues that concern us who must fend for those who are yet recovering. A must read for everyone, because this illness is a plague on our culture.

As the caregiver for my husband who suffered an AVM (arteriovenus malformation) 23 years ago, I wish I'd had this book then. Looking back, I did a good job of monitoring his doctors, nurses and aftercare. What I did NOT do was take care of myself. Valerie has written a terrific account of her medical trauma, which brings the reader right in the room/bed with her. You feel her helplessness, her frustration, her fury. We all encounter those in the medical community who make assumptions rather than medical assessments, either due to patient overload or malaise. Regardless, I recommend this book to virtually everyone. Everyone either has had or will have a medical emergency in their life and this is is a primer on how to take care of yourself when that happens. You may not have a family member near to look out for you and will have to fight for yourself. Buy this book. Valerie makes it easy to read and puts all the technical information in the bibliography for your reference. She is a hero!

My father had a stroke three months ago. I was desperate to find information regarding strokes - not only for my father but also for my mother - his primary caregiver. My father is unable to read, speak or walk but is able to understand everything that's going on around him. I began reading Valerie's book to him and the way he paid attention was astounding! It was as if he wanted to say, "That's how I feel!" It was important for him to know that someone else has been in his exact situation before and that we knew what he was going through. He also needed to know that, through sheer determination and will power, he too will be able to walk and talk again. At the end of each chapter my mother and I would read the Resources section together. In a sea of confusion and frustration it was great to find such a wonderful and inspirational book to help us get through this most traumatic time in our lives. I would recommend Valerie's book for, not only the stroke patient, but also friends and family.

This is an excellent "how to" manual for overcoming the debilitating effects of stroke, not only for the survivor, but the survivors' caregivers, family and rehabilitation team! If you're wanting complemetary medicine as an adjunct to the standard medical route, this is a "must have" book! Valerie is not only a great story-teller, but humorous in her approach to life and its pitfalls. She knows from the inside how a person must fight this disease, and is able to share it intelligently and step-by-step in an easy-to-read format.
This book should be in every home!!!

I read this recently as a stroke survivor 4 months after my brain event. I found quite a lot of encouragement and helpful information packed into this book. The author focused on what can be done to recover, not what can be done to settle for a lesser recovery. The information presented gave me a calmer,more patient, and broader outlook on my recovery as a lifelong process.Not so big a change from life before my stroke. Life was about learning things,being challenged, and conquering obstacles, both physically and intellectually. It still is.
cheers!

Ms. Greene did a good job of emphasing the benefits of therapy following a stroke. Some of her treatments may be beyond the financial capability of many; but most were not. Her perservance and self-drive come through as key issues for anyone related to someone who has suffered a stroke.

I found this book to be incouraging to keep on going to the goal
of restoration. Many helpful resources in the back.

A stroke can radically change one's life - to the point that he or she isn't the same person anymore. "Conquering Stroke: How I Fought My Way Back and How You Can Too" encourages sufferers of strokes to not let it and do whatever it takes to overcome their affliction and live how they want to once more. While offering plenty of advice for both treatment and the recovery process, it acknowledges that the best cure is prevention and has a focus on that subject as well. "Conquering Stroke: How I Fought My Way Back and How You Can Too" is a top pick for senior health collections and for anyone who fears or wants to overcome stroke.

This was a very powerful book. I only wish my wife and I had read it immediately after she had her stroke. It gives a lot of information on dealing with recovery. Some people may not have the money to do everything Valery did but most of it you can do if you have insurance and or Medicare. At least you know people can return from most of the symptoms. And it let's you know not to trust everything the medical profession tells you about "your" stroke.