Customer Reviews

Reversal: When a Therapist Becomes a Patient

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This book comes from a unique perspective of a patient who happens to have a lot of insight into the whole medical and recovery process. It captures in real time the thoughts, emotions and struggles as the author comes to grips with the reality of his situation and how he will build himself up to his goals.

This book tells the intriguing and captivating story of a young athlete and his struggles to overcome the tremendous hardships of recovering from a brain tumor. His honest and often humorous description will not only be inspirational to other patients, therapists and doctors, but also to the average individual faced with day to day struggles. The uphill battle Eric endures following his surgery is a story that all readers can relate to in their own way. I recommend this book to everyone.

I have to say that this book is a necessity for all Physical Therapists (and Occupational Therapists for that matter), and I sincerely hope it makes it into the mandatory reading list for those in training. The author's sense of humor and outlook in life is amazingly positive, and that reflects well in the book especially as he overcomes all of these incredible obstacles. He takes us on an adventure, from the surgery and through all of the rehab that came afterward in order to regain simple movements that we tend to take for granted. After reading this book, I promise never to take those things for granted again.

This book allows for multiple areas of insight. Eric's description of events leading up to and after his surgery gives the reader an idea of what it would be like to have a brain tumor. He vividly (with candid humor at times) describes the frustrations and triumphs along his diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Being a PT myself reading the book forced me to evaluate how I truly treat my patients from an emotional stand point; always keeping in mind how my reactions affect them psychologically. I feel this book would be beneficial to any patient recovering from a physical disability due to brain trauma or traumatic injury. It would also be beneficial for any healthcare worker to assist in the evaluation of their own practice patterns.

The author's utilizes a unique and modern format to present his story in this book or "blook" format. The personal reflections are refreshing, honest and even at times humorous. The flow of the book is excellent and is especially nice for the even non-avid readers; however, don't mistake that for lack of substance, as there are plenty of deeper reflections in the book that will satisfy the intellect. This book is an excellent resource for any patient with a brain tumor. It also has indispensable benefits for the future healthcare professional who wants tangibility to assist with their expectations of their future patients. Not only are the author's thoughts of benefit, but even moreso, the family and friends of the author contribute their reflections to ensure that the future healthcare reader can be sure to understand the dynamics of family and friend involvement in their patient care. I HIGHLY recommend this book and its potential in any rehabilitation education program.

By giving honest and truthful descriptions of various events along his experience, the author does a great job of sharing a unique perspective of a young, athletic physical therapist who must undergo treatment as a patient and then endure the emotional and physical struggles of recovery through his own therapy and everyday life. The style allows the reader to associate with the author personally throughout the book thanks to humor and emotional insight. The additional first-person perspectives of family, friends and health care professionals that are included in the book contribute to a well balanced and informative account of the author's experience outside of his own view.

Getting through the pages, imagining every step the author took throughout his diagnosis and recovery, and seeing how he is finally overcoming and moving forward from this personal chapter in his life, has been an uplifting reflection on how life can turn and twist so unexpectedly, just like that. A must read for patients, doctors, and anyone who has been through and successfully survived a health challenge.

This book uniquely provides insight into the experiences of a patient who has a brain tumor. It is an excellent resource for both young patients who experience the same or related medical conditions and for rehabilitation specialists who treat similar patients. Eric's experience as a physical therapist provides him with a foundational background to discuss the importance of goal setting with patients and many other apsects of patient care. At the same time the book is readable by a patient as well. Eric offers advice to both fellow patients and fellow rehabilitation specialists based on his personal experiences in coping with a life changing brain tumor. His writing style and sense of humor create a book that is not only informative, but also easy and enjoyable to read.

Reversal is a very unique book in not only the style that it is written in (a lot of quotes from a blog) but also brings in the perspective of a therapist becoming a patient (hence the title). The book is a quick read because it is engaging and in a common language that allows us to really get to know Eric and what he is going through as we share his pains and goals. Further, Eric has been able to do what many of us have been trying to do. What Reversal really shows us is that there is an group of individuals, adolescents and young adults, who are affected by cancer and yet still they lack the comprehensive care that is out there. The clinical trials, biology, advocacy, and even public health issues are often times over looked allowing this unique group of individuals to fall through the gaps of health care and really become an undeserved community. Reversal really allows us to see how this group of adolescents and young adults feel when they and their loved ones are affected by cancer.

Reversal is a fantastic book that captures the human spirit in its most honest and courageous form. From start to finish, the author constantly challenges himself, not only with respect to his recovery process, but also in the unique way in which he has chosen to connect with his audience. His ability to be candid and forthright in sharing such an intimate portrait of unimaginable struggle touches the reader on so many levels and invites us in. The author's strength of purpose and sense of self is extraordinary, yet he never takes himself too seriously. His sense of humor is always on point, and his spirit radiates with the turn of every page. I would highly recommend Reversal to all readers.