Customer Reviews

Heartaches and Miracles

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This is an account of the author's experiences with a weird blood disorder called ITP, an autoimmune disease where her immune system is producing antibodies that destroy platelets. I found this very compelling. One doesn't normally pick a book about a rare disease or condition unless suffering from it.....but I found this very interesting indeed. Greta has done an outstanding job of describing the sheer awfulness of it all - despite the despair, heartache, frustration and terror and the other unpleasantness unfortunately happening to those near and dear to her at the same time, she never bogged the reader down with the science of it all and, more poignantly, there isn't a hint of a winge or a moan from her. Greta has a wonderful style of writing and this was a fascinating, comprehensive, but easy-to-read account of her horrible experiences. It was well organised and the anecdotes about her adored four-legged companions were welcome little 'interludes' which made the whole account very readable, but still impacting.

This book provides a firsthand description of a patient's struggles with an unusual blood disorder - ITP. Others with this disease will relate to this story and find comfort in knowing that they are not alone. Readers that know someone with this disease will gain a deeper understanding of the disease and how it affects the patient as well as the people closest to them. Readers that have never heard of ITP before will find this inspirational and educational.

This book really gives you a picture of how ITP has affected her life and also, for those readers who don't really know about ITP, tells them what it is and what it can do. Compared to most people, I have had a mild case of the same disorder, but this book shows how devastating it can be, both medically, mentally and financially.

Greta Burroughs' book, "Heartaches and Miracles" does a remarkable job of describing the dramatic changes experienced by a previously healthy individual who suddenly develops refractory chronic ITP, an illness which then dominates her life. The book is clearly written and I would highly recommend it.

If you or someone you know have a blood disorder ITP this is the book to read. It provide valuable information and a personal account of someone who live this journey. I only encourage people to read it and get familiar with this disease. In doing so you would not feel alone. Thanks Greta for your book and for helping to spread knowledge of this blood disorder Itp.

Greta tells it like it is in her recount of events that lead her to the finding of her ITP (also known as immune or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) an autoimmune disease causing the destruction of platelets. My husband suffers from this wicked disorder and this book has given me another perspective of someone's discovery, struggle, treatments and acceptance. Since most don't "look sick" with this disorder, this could be a friend, neighbor or the person in front of you in the grocery store. Thank you Greta for carrying the ITP awareness torch.

It's not often that a book about coping with a little-known and often misdiagnosed disease can appeal to most readers. Greta Burroughs however, has written a poignant tale of her own experience with Immune Thrombocytopenic Pupura (ITP), giving a graphic description of the ups and downs of living with this disease. Burroughs' writing style makes this book inspiring and informative to anyone who suffers with ITP, Rhumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, or any other autoimmune disease. Chapter headings with brief statements by other sufferers are an added plus and point out the need for more research and better treatments for autoimmune disorders. Altogether, a fine read.