Most useful quotes

When I want to be as fit as I was 15 years ago...

"If I keep comparing, reminding myself how I used to sound or be, I'll never feel like doing anything again."


When my brain doesn't work so well Suzy's colleague confesses, and Suzy replies

" 'A lot of what you've just finished describing happens to me and [chuckle] I haven't even had brain surgery.'
Then what do I say? What do I usually say?
Me: Well, what's your excuse? [chuckle] " ( )

This is a fascinating book. If you liked My Stroke of Insight, you will appreciate this book. It is just amazing to me how the brain works. I'll be looking for more on this subject.

Check out One Hundred Names for Love by Diane Ackerman. Exceptional writing and a look at stroke from a caregiver rather than patient this time. ( )

I got my copy of this from the author herself. I admit that this made me pick it up and read it straight through. That, plus the fact that it is a great read. Becker shares her chapter of not only having, but recovering from, brain surgery with humor, honesty and a great deal of light. I'm left asking the question of myself... What's my excuse for not figuring out who I am? I always appreciate an author who's words stick with me long after, prompting me to keep thinking. ( )

I'm tossed in the big ocean waves on this book. I related to the "freaking out" "whiny" stuff as I also had a brain tumor and hence surgery. The recovery is so very HARD to explain to others. You lose yourself as Suzy said and have to find who you are again. Everyone has a different recovery some lose whole parts of themselves others not as much. For me, I was like this author and loss "communication" as well as other things. If you have never had to truly rediscover yourself, I can see how some would see this as "whiny." My husband thought ....okay it's out, it's been a couple of months...now, what's for dinner? It would bring me to tears cause something that before was so simple and easy for me to do was now like a HUGGGGE mountain. Recovery from any serious illness is not easy but when your brain is what is recovering it is a lot more than just resting and taking it easy for awhile. It's finding the parts of you that are left and making new parts that are gone and may never come back. This is what the author was trying to convey. And coming from someone who has been there she did an excellent job.

Okay now that wave crashes and then another rises. Some of the book was just boring and dry not the content but the way it was laid out. It wasn't enough for me to be turned away just left me wishing that in some parts, she would have given me more. It felt rushed at times where I felt it should have slowed down and gotten more in-depth and where I would have wanted it to speed up it dragged.

All in all, IF you are going through this, are soon to, know someone who has or will... READ IT. It gives a perspective that will help you understand especially to those that aren't the ones going through it, but a loved one is. Just remember it's not really a rainy-day novel read it's a, this is what it's like blunt to the point read. ( )

I see other reviewers thought the author was a bit “whiney”. Well, it seems to me having a brain tumor is as good a reason as it gets to be whiney. I thought she did an amazing job of keeping a sense of humor. I celebrated her successes and struggled with her challenges as I vicariously accompanied Suzy on her recovery.