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Saving Jesse - A Diary of Rasmussen's Syndrome
 
 
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Saving Jesse - A Diary of Rasmussen's Syndrome [Paperback]

Nicky Armstrong (Author), Jeanne Heal (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)


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Book Description

November 15, 1996
Rasmussen's Syndrome is a disease that attacks the most innocent among us: our children. Its cause and cure are unknown. Its preferred victims are bright, healthy children between the ages of 1-10 yrs. old. It begins with a seizure, which become progressively more frequent and severe. The child deteriorates mentally, emotionally and physically as the disease takes hold. Its social and psychological effects are even more devastating. It continues its destruction until it has destroyed one hemisphere of the brain. The only treatment is hemispherectomy - removal of 1/2 the brain, in a desperate hope to stop the destruction.

Nicky Armstrong suffered alongside her son, Jesse, as he was forced to endure a disease that she came to think of as a thief - a thief that came in silence and secrecy to steal even-larger pieces of her child's life and mind. Saving Jesse is the story of that thief's journey through their lives. It is about a mother's struggle to understand what was happening to her beloved once healthy son. It's about her fears and failures, frequent temptations to despair and ultimate triumph as family and community conspired to "cheat the thief."

Saving Jesse is based on a diary Nicky started when she was asked by physicians to record the frequency and duration of Jesse's seizures. It became much more than a simple log. Told at the pace of a well plotted novel, Saving Jesse is a story that will touch every parent's heart. It is a story of hope and triumph in the face of overwhelming odds. It is a story of faith. It is a story of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. It is, finally, a story of love - as all such stories must be.


Editorial Reviews

Review

Saving Jesse is a moving and powerful story... The story rings true because the language is real, the writing flows well, and the sory is gripping. There is much that no doubt had to be left out of the book to pare it down to its present form, but sacrificing many of the details in favor of creating an overall picture was another excellent choice by the author. -- Terry Pugh - The Village Press

Saving Jesse, a mother's touching story... is one book you'll want to have as part of your collection. -- Raquel Exner - The Herald

From the Publisher

Nicky and Jesse were guests on the Dini Petty Show in November/96 as well as several local T.V. and radio interviews. Several newspaper articles were written as well.

Saving Jesse was chosen for Reader's Digest Book Choice for November 1997. It was also translated in French for Reader's Digest Book Choice, March 1998 edition. Also translated in Dutch (Amsterdam) for Reader's Digest, April 1998.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 216 pages
  • Publisher: Tendre Books (November 15, 1996)
  • ISBN-10: 096813730X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0968137307
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,312,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

 

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4.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)
 
 
 
 
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The Armstrongs give an honest view of disease and decisions, October 11, 1999
This review is from: Saving Jesse - A Diary of Rasmussen's Syndrome (Paperback)
Nicky Armstrong's young son, Jesse, had a hemispherectomy (removal of one half of his brain) after a prolonged and disruptive seizure disorder caused by Rasmussen's Syndrome. For families considering neurosurgery, this family's story should be on the "consider reading" list.

Yes, it is stressful to read about rudeness and contriteness encountered in the medical field. And yes, reading about a child's battered body from both seizures and drugs is not pleasant. But between these pages lie the reality of a disease and the opposing sides of an impossible decision.

While Rasmussen's appears to be a viral, contracted disease, and is in that regard dissimilar from other disorders effecting the brain, the ordeals with medial professionals, medical institutions, medications, research, and the meticulous weighing of conclusions are similar. How one family coped, and at times did not cope, is both reassuring and frightening. Until we live in an ideal world where children are spared the pain and cruelty of diseases like Rasmussen's, we can be appreciative that families such as the Armstrongs have the courage that comes from deeply loving a child to share their story simply and honestly.

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Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
grande mal, blood level test, small seizures, more seizures, arm jerks
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Rasmussen's Encephalitis, Johns Hopkins, Diana Pillas, Bev Turgeon, Children's Wish Foundation, Doris Newmeyer, Paul's Hospital, Alvin Buckwold Centre, Disney World, Game Boy, Ninja Turtle, Richmond Hill
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