Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #755201 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Writing with Caplan, chief of Stroke Service at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Hutton, a journalist and former nurse, offers this self-help guide for stroke patients. Hutton writes from her own experience as a woman who suffered a debilitating stroke at the age of 43. Having kept a journal throughout her life, Hutton was determined to continue after her stroke-but first she had to re-learn to speak and write. Combining Hutton's journal entries with Caplan's response to and explanations of them, the book presents a kind of dialogue-a format that nicely suits the material. In one diary entry, Hutton explains a sense of confusion that prompted her to go to an emergency room: "I have a sharp, constant pain behind my eyes, and I find it difficult to focus my vision. The left side of my body is heavy...." Caplan responds, "Strokes... seldom occur out of the blue without cause or warnings." He then advises how to communicate these symptoms to doctors, and explains the types of stroke. Both author and doctor write in ancompassionate tone and thoroughly explain each step of a stroke, from its causes to rehabilitation.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Families and caregivers of stroke patients should read this work for its medical expertise and coverage of the emotional issues. -- Library Journal

From the Inside Flap
At age 43, Cleo Hutton awoke to a frightening and completely unfamiliar world. In the prime of life, she experienced a devastating stroke. Suddenly unable to speak, understand, or even walk, Hutton found herself struggling first to survive and then to regain her physical skills and her independence.

Striking Back at Stroke is Hutton's personal journal during this trying time, detailing her hard-won success rebuilding a life in ruins and overcoming difficulties she never imagined confronting. Using a tape recorder and a notebook by her bedside where family, friends, and hospital staff could write messages, Hutton kept a record of the day-to-day emotional, physical, and financial trauma of her condition. Hutton's account of her experiences is interwoven with medical and scientific commentary by Louis Caplan, M.D., who explains Hutton's case in terms of what scientists and doctors have come to know about strokes. He documents in a clear, concise manner what actually happens before, during, and after a stroke—as Hutton in turn lives and documents her experience. Caplan also focuses his observations on how the medical system served her, as well as on the shattering effects a stroke can have on the families of patients.

Customer Reviews

Striking Back as a team!!
"Striking Back at Stroke" by Cleo Hutton and Louis R Caplan, MD is an unusual book about stroke. Most publications cover either the stroke survivor's story or a medical explanation of stroke. The book combines the two. The first part of each chapter is from Hutton's diary. Through it we are able to learn the survivor's perspective. The second section is Dr Caplan's medical explanation.
 
Hutton experienced an ischemic stroke in 1992. The book starts with the experience of TIA's, beginning five years before the stroke. Even though Hutton was a nurse the TIA's did not register as a danger signal. The book also covers the event, rehabilitation, and reflections on what she has gained. In addition to standard early rehabilitation techniques, and therapies Hutton devised, her recovery included surgery to correct a hole in her heart.
 
Caplan's chapter on diagnosing stroke damage and designing a treatment plan is particularly enlightening. He explains the tools of CT and MRI scans as well as the role of history, learning the patient's experience of the stroke and discerning what abilities the patient has lost. He states that physical abnormalities can develop after the strokes first occurring. He also describes other tools used to discern exactly what happened. These details can inform stroke survivors and their families.
 
Hutton shares the thought processes, which helped her cope. She documents what it is like to be a hospital patient. Stroke survivors will find themselves identifying. Medical personnel, families, and caregivers will benefit from her perspective.
 
The psychological effect of illness is covered. Of special interest is discussion of the role of other patients. It was very powerful to see others struggling to improve.
 
Hutton also explores the role of serious illness in forming a better person. She found herself learning to be a survivor. The key was looking to the future rather than the past. One key element was deciding to attend college. At first she saw it as a coping mechanism. It ended as a goal. She graduated and started a business.
 
The explanation of factors effecting stroke recovery is successful in showing how multifaceted stroke can be. Hutton's story is a success. She realized that when her official therapy ended she was not through with rehabilitation. Hutton found herself designing therapy.
 
Reflection on the stress stroke puts on families is included. Families do not receive training in how to relate to stroke survivors. Everyone must take the journey to look toward the future rather than the past.
 
Dr Caplan's medical observations are extremely helpful. He explains what is happening at each stage from a clinical perspective. Those who have experienced stroke will find answers to some questions.
 
The book concludes with advice from both authors. Hutton's focus is on what is needed for the survivor to recover to their fullest possible potential. Caplan's remarks focus on current stroke treatment and future trends.

This book is highly recommended for everyone in the stroke family. Hutton and Caplan both share insights which all will find helpful.
 

Both Inspiration and Facts!
A first in resiliency books! Cleo Hutton's heroic, inspiring story shows how to go beyond stroke recovery to reach a better life than before. Dr. Louis Caplan adds easy to understand medical information that self-motivated people need to have as they take control of their healing journey. This "doctor/patient" book will prove to be extremely valuable for patients, families, and health care practitioners!
Al Siebert, Ph.D.
Director of The Resiliency Center

The Empire Strikes Back
Cleo Hutton suffered several stroke episodes. This is not an unusual story as worldwide stroke is a widespread cerebrovascular dysfunction. Pages from her diary are present in this book. The book itself must remain as milestone for health books written for broader audiences. The reason is simple: a patient testimony is commented by a specialized doctor. Every corner, every step of Cleo's struggle, revenge and recovery is commented by Lou Kaplan, a well known neurologist in an open and clear manner. Several details are there, including the understanding of the several exams made by Cleo. Physical and psychological human relations were affected after Cleo's stroke. Weeks were deleted from her life while she struggled for getting back what her body had taken away from her. This is indeed a recommended book for all, from doctors to (possible) future patients. Not merely another book from a stroke survivor, this book should be considered the story of a stroke that didn't survived the patient where it appeared.
Paulo J. Oliveira, Post-Doc research fellow, Center for Neurociences of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, Portugal