Beyond Chaos: One Man's Journey Alongside His Chronically Ill Wife (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Piburn has written a series of painfully honest essays chronicling his journey of understanding and personal growth after his wife's diagnosis of fybromyalgia, a condition related to arthritis, thrust the role of caregiver upon him. Piburn, a management communications consultant and former newspaper columnist, uses his own experience and expertise to write a very readable personal narrative of his 14-year journey alongside his wife. Quoting Benjamin FranklinA"Those things that hurt, instruct"APiburn offers insights into the complex relational and communications issues that may arise in this situation. Also included are short exercises to help the reader get more from the book. A brief list of suggested readings is also provided. Piburn's intelligent and well-written book transcends the specifics of arthritis and will be of value to anyone who shares life with a chronically ill family member. Recommended for consumer health collections.ALisa McCormick, Jewish Hosp. Lib., Cincinnati
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

This daring and thought-provoking chronicle encourages readers, both the healthy and the unhealthy, to become open, honest, and courageous in dealing with the sensitive issues surrounding a life invaded by chronic illness.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Arthritis Foundation; 1 edition (January 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 091242320X
• ISBN-13: 978-0912423203
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #719,074 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Partner Needs this Book!, August 23, 2000

By	"ginazone" (Glens Falls, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Hello, I have numerous chronic illness and pain problems and am finding it very hard to get support because many of my symptoms are subjective or "invisible". I have FMS, MPS, CFS, DDD, Bulging discs and numerous spinal problems, plus chronic pain syndrome. My only support is my husband and he's still in the denial stages, so I picked up this book for HIM. I read it 1st and put tiny little notes in the margin for him. The book is separated into 4 sections and each section has suggested very helpful exercises for the reader. It teaches communication and strengthening of the marriage, this book shows how one can be supportive without using the usual patient/caretaker roles that can be demeaning and frustrating to both. I read the book in 2 days and I highly recommend it to the partner of anyone suffering any chronic condition (and also to the person suffering as well). The book is thoroughly honest and open about the total experience of dealing with a partner, accepting the losses and grieving the way your partner used to be then appreciating the person your partner is now. It is the only book of this kind available and even if there were 50 like it, this one would be at the top of the list.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Here Than Meets The Eye, February 18, 2002

By	Carol Bardelli and Jerry Bardelli (Silver Springs, NV USA) - See all my reviews

There is more to Beyond Chaos by Gregg Piburn than meets the eye. Billed as "One Man's Journey Alongside His Chronically Ill Wife", it is not just a story of how one couple dealt with the challenges of chronic illness. It is also a guide to improving your communication skills while exploring motives of self and applying your personal growth
to marriage, parenting and other relationships affected by chronic illness. Gregg Piburn is a management consultant by trade and conducts effectiveness and growth seminars for corporate managers and their teams. He has deftly adapted and applied his skills as a corporate coach to personal challenges. In Beyond Chaos, he covers what he refers to as "The Four Phases" of personal growth people must journey through to a higher level: Pseudo Community (Plastic People), Chaos (Angry People), Emptiness (Vunerable People), Community (Real People). Gregg Piburn describes the emotions and reactions belonging to each phase and real life examples that he, his wife Sherrie and their children experienced along the way. This book definitely operates on more than one level and is more than a guide for "caretakers" or an insightful view of the other side of the chronic illness experience for "patients". Gregg Piburn offers the reader an inside look at how chronic illness changed nearly every aspect of his and wife, Sherrie's life together. And he encourages others dealing with chronic illness to think outside the box, drop limiting labels like "caretaker" and "patient" (italics his, not mine) and challenge yourself to move beyond the frustration, anger and guilt. This is a worthwhile read for all human beings wishing to live at a higher level. Honesty, courage, openness and revelation about the relationship between a healthy spouse and a chronically ill spouse grace this book. Gregg Piburn invites you to expand your emotional horizons and soar above your challenges.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Chaos: One Man's Journey Alongside His Chronically I, July 6, 2001

By A Customer

I have fibromyalgia and this book brought me to tears at times knowing that my husband is feeling the same way as this author. The stress on the spouses is enormous, I found this book hard to put down because "we" are living it!! It does leave you with the feeling that "the Intruder" in anyone's life is unwelcome..a true pain...but that love and determination can see you through!! I highly recommend this book.