River of Hope: My Journey with Kathy in Search of Healing from Lou Gehrig's Disease [Paperback]

David Tank (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2008

This true story chronicles the frustrations and joys of Kathy Tank as she fought to beat Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), which she refered to as this monster within me.

Told from the perspective of her husband, River of Hope reveals how a regimen of pharmaceutically-based medical care failed Kathy nearly every step of the way and how she discovered a sense of hope through alternative approaches to treating her disease.

Kathy's story of determination and hope, her fight to beat a disease that the experts told her was unbeatable, is both inspiring and tragic, hopeful and heartbreaking. Along her journey you will be introduced to some of the wonderful, caring people whom Kathy met when she stepped outside of established medicine.

River of Hope is a rare and intimate look into a mysterious disease that, unfortunately, is no longer quite so rare and may not be as mysterious as we thought. You will discover what the couple learned while researching health issues related to toxins in our foods, environment and medicines, and discover what was working for Kathy.

This book may make you laugh. It may make you cry. It will probably make you angry. And it definitely will make you take a more critical look at the care or lack of care that you receive from your health care providers and inspire you to take control of your health care needs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A story of bravery and love. ----Dan Lyksett, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram

This book caused me to reflect on my own spirit and how I might better honor my own wife in our day-to-day walk. Kathy's story is in good hands. ----Michael Perry, author of Population 485

This book is far more than just a resource of information to assist families impacted by any life altering illness; it's a story about humanity, from the doctor's offices to our most treasured caregiver. If we are brave enough to step 'outside the box,' there is hope! --D. Erickson, N.W. Wisconsin ALS Outreach Support Services

A story of bravery and love. ------Dan Lyksett, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram

This book caused me to reflect on my own spirit and how I might better honor my own wife in our day-to-day walk. Kathy's story is in good hands. ------Michael Perry, author of Population 485

About the Author

David Tank, an experienced journalist and magazine editor, teaches writing at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He began researching neuromuscular disease when his wife, Kathy, developed the early symptoms of ALS in 2005.

Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: Planert Creek Press; 1st edition (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981506402
• ISBN-13: 978-0981506401
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,677,528 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling biography, August 9, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: River of Hope: My Journey with Kathy in Search of Healing from Lou Gehrig's Disease (Paperback)

To overcome an unbeatable disease is viewed by the established medical community as impossible. "River of Hope: My Journey with Kathy in Search of Healing from Lou Gehrig's Disease" is the personal story of Kathy Tank, as told by her husband who was alongside her every step of the way. When doctors wrote her off as doomed, she was determined to beat her Lou Gehrig's disease, and never stopped searching until she did. With great insight to the nuances of this ailment, "River of Hope" is a compelling biography and especially recommended for anyone with a family member with Lou Gehrig's disease or who are themselves afflicted.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book, July 20, 2009

By 

J. Kameda "AS YOU LIKE IT" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: River of Hope: My Journey with Kathy in Search of Healing from Lou Gehrig's Disease (Paperback)

I just finished reading the book on Kindle. I appreciated the fact that this book was available on Kindle, because I have ALS and this makes it difficult for me to turn pages on regular books.

The onset for me was with my right hand weakness, and I have been using breathing machine for 3.5 yrs. I've picked up a lot of good tips from reading Kathy's and David's creative approach for handling day to day challenges living with ALS.

This book was very heart warming and up lifting for me. Thank you David for sharing Kathy's story. Reading this book gave me the encouragements I needed at this point in my life. The book is inspirational, captivating, and very well written.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book at the first sign of a neuromuscular disease, May 11, 2010

By 

Bruce Lenz "Bruce" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: River of Hope: My Journey with Kathy in Search of Healing from Lou Gehrig's Disease (Paperback)

If you are experiencing muscle weakness, slurred speech or other symptoms of neuromuscular disease, read this book first. Don't wait for an "official" medical diagnosis to see if you have Lou Gehrig's disease. The pharmaceutically-based medical system has nothing to offer you and may even be one of the causes of your illness. "River of Hope" gives insight into the medical system's failing approach to dealing with this disease, and offers hope that healing is possible through alternative approaches to health care and changes in your lifestyle. You will also want to read "Eric is Winning" ERIC IS WINNING !!: Beating a Terminal Illness with Nutrition, Avoiding Toxins and Common Sense and "Surviving Without Your MD" SURVIVING WITHOUT YOUR MD, both by ALS survivor Eric Edney.