11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is Gold, a real Treasure, April 10, 1999
This review is from: Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families and Friends (Paperback)
I picked up this book one morning and did not stop reading until that evening when I was finished. It was so easy to read and so informative that I could not put it down. Since then it has helped me with many decisions in dealing with my daughters medical situation. This book explains hydrocephalus completely and clearly while giving suggestions about many aspects of receiving the best medical care possible including how to talk to your neurosurgeons, what symptoms to watch for and how your medical system affects the kind of care you can expect. The sections on hospitalizations, shunt revisions and side effects offered information that I had not received anywhere else. I also made many new connections with others dealing with this condition through the appendixes in this book. Buy this book and be informed! I am now passing it around to all my family members and friends so that they can finally understand what hydrocephalus is all about. I will continue to treasure this resource in the years to come as a reference and means of support when it is most needed.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Unofficial Hydro Handbook...A Must Read for Families, May 25, 1999
This review is from: Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families and Friends (Paperback)
Kellie and Chuck have pursued and completed a wonderful project for patients and families who deal with hydrocephalus. Written not by medical professionals (though editing and consulting have been appropriately included) but by common folks whose lives have been impacted by hydro. The sames questions, concerns, fears, and symptoms that occur to everyone impacted by hydrocephalus are addressed in easy to understand (and relate to) terms. Of particular interest are the personal accounts that pepper all sections of the book. You can almost see yourself in the various quotes and questions gathered from patients and family. You definitely will see there are others in your position. The important topic of support is also well addressed. In conclusion, this is a breakthrough writing for hydro patients and families. To my knowledge, this may be the first book on hydro written for patients and families, not medical practitioners. In libraries and bookstores there are dozens of books on cancer, heart disease, and other more common diseases. This is understandable, but I have found none on hydrocephalus and I needed a resource. Kellie and Chuck's book on hydro was the first I have found and it is available on Amazon. I highly recommend it to individuals, family, and friends who are impacted by hydrocephalus. Don't leave for the doctor's office without it!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truthful, concise, informative- a "Must-Have" resource, September 15, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families and Friends (Paperback)
I find this to be a valuable resource for those diagnosed with hydrocephalus. My (formerly healthy) son became hydrocephalic at age 16, following removal of a brain tumor two years before. A VP shunt was placed. It lasted 4 months before clogging. Then 8 revisions in the next 9 months. Two months later, he had an appendectomy that was unnecessary, because what he REALLY had was an abdominal irritation/infection of the distal shunt catheter- When the catheter was removed from the abdomen, so was ALL the pain he had fought for three weeks, taking Dilaudid IV, and fearing the worst. Antibiotics were given, and three days later, the shunt was reinserted in the abdomen with no more problems, and we came home the next day!
Local family practice doctors misdiagnosed- they were confident it was his appendix, and that the continued post-op pain was gastric-related.
Upon arriving at my son's neurosurgeon's hospital, correct diagnosis and treatment began within 24 hours. His roommate's mother showed me this book. I sent my daughter to the bookstore that day. EVERYTHING I needed to know is in there- plainly described, easily understood, written by someone who has been there- it is a great, easy to read, resource for all ages of patients and anyone who wants to understand this condition. If we had had the book sooner, we would have immediately gone to the neurosurgeon, and all would have been resolved before many painful and needless tests were performed by well-meaning professionals. Neuro hospital staff told me it is impossible for them to tell us everything that can possibly go wrong with a shunt- I knew about shunt infections that originated in the brain, but no one told us that severe right side pain, with a temperature could be shunt-related- especially when it was obvious the shunt was working properly.
I don't want to scare you with my story, but rather an example you can learn from. Learn all you can, because everyone who takes care of you doesn't know about shunts-
I have now purchased 5 more copies of this book- gave one to my son's school for the staff library- (They were very grateful, because they have worked with my son for almost 4 years, and want to help, which means understanding) Two will go to the doctors who misdiagnosed, so maybe someone else won't go through what we did- the others, I will share with family/friends- whoever- This book contains all aspects of care/concern- As an RN, whose speciality is NOT the brain, I applaud the couple for writing this book, and want to spread the word that this is the only book you will need. Written in everyday language, with a dictionary in the back, it tells the truth and gives guidance, information, and support.
Thank you, Chuck and Kellie, and my best wishes to you both. Thank you Amazon.com for offering reduced prices on this and other resources, making them accessible. For those of us with chronically ill children, money is very tight.
Just sign me, a grateful Mom in Michigan
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