Don't Leave Me This Way: Or When I Get Back on My Feet You'll Be Sorry

Julia Fox Garrison's is an engaging, enjoyable, and quick read ... certainly all good reasons to pick it up and read it. Yet, this book is much more than a good story. I view it as a gentle, clear, and inspiring reminder of how important it is to take time to enjoy and be thankful for the many blessings in one's life. While certainly this book discusses challenges of stemming from medical issues, I feel that Julia's message of how challenges can help us see the world in a new and better light, can be applied universally. I particularly enjoyed reading about how these challenges helped Julia become more sensitive others and helped her grow spiritually. Don't Leave Me This Way adds a lot of positive energy in helping us deal with problems both individually and collectively.

Julia Fox Garrison is a successful working mother of a three-year-old son, Rory, and the wife of a devoted husband named Jim. She is loved and admired by her many friends and coworkers, and enjoys a close relationship with her mother, father, and eight brothers. Her life couldn't be more satisfying. However, an unexpected curve ball is thrown her way when, on July 17, 1997, she is felled by a sudden stroke. Julia is rushed into emergency surgery to stop the bleeding in her brain, but although she survives the operation, she is left with complete paralysis on her left side. Fortunately, she is able to think and communicate, even though her ability to move and function has been severely curtailed. The doctors are unsure what caused the stroke and they recommend a variety of treatments, including chemotherapy for a condition called vasculitis. "Don't Leave Me This Way" is Garrison's poignant, uncompromisingly honest, and darkly humorous account of what happened to her and how she handled it. Her short, breezy chapters have droll titles such as "Homage to Your Hemorrhage," and, for some reason, she avoids using the word "I" until the final section of the book. However, her unconventional writing style works; the reader is given a front row seat as Julia surmounts one obstacle after another, with many bumps and bruises along the way. From the beginning, she refuses to take her doctors' statements at face value, especially when she is convinced that they are only guessing. In fact, she decides that in spite of the bleak prognosis, she is going to get back on her feet. She rejects the opinion of her doctors and nurses that she is "in denial" and is too "impulsive." Julia constantly makes sarcastic jokes and gives irreverent and unflattering nicknames to her least favorite health care professionals: Dr. Jerk, Dr. Panic, Dr. Bleak, and Nurse Doom, among others. One of the few physicians whom she admires she dubs Dr. Neuro. At least he treats her like an intelligent adult, not an obstreperous and dense four-year-old. Julia must learn to deal not only with doctors, but also with an assortment of therapists who assist her in regaining movement and balance. However, her recovery is slow, uneven, and painful, and falling is an everyday occurrence. She must rely on her beleaguered husband, friends, and relatives to take care of Rory, and she wonders when she will be able to walk, drive, or work again. "Don't Leave Me This Way" is an object lesson for anyone who takes his health for granted. What happened to Julia can happen to anyone. What makes the author unique is her determination and defiance in the face of overwhelming odds, as well as her ability to make jokes when there is every reason to sink into depression. This book is an enlightening, inspiring, and moving account of a courageous woman's struggle to regain her independence. Her final words in the book are: "Thanks for all my blessings. I love life." Nobody could have said

Only after reading this book could I ever possibly know what my mother is going through after her stroke in 2005. Julia made me laugh and cry. This book, and the honesty it holds, cut right to (and through) the heart. I don't even know what else to say - except perhaps - thank you JFG!!!

A truly extraordinary adventure. As a retired physician, I was surprised how much I still had to learn about the illness experience. I wish I had this book to recommend to patients when was in active practice. Julia Garrison is an example of what one can do when the spirit directs one. Potential is something that doctors and physical therapists only see through a glass darkly. With great wisdom and humor this singular woman is a great teacher. "Don't Leave Me This Way" deserves the widest possible readership.

This is a stunningly important book which should be required reading for all medical and nursing students, and all others who are concerned with the acute care and rehabilitation of stroke patients, whether they are part of the professional therapeutic team, family or friends. This book is destined to become a classic in the field. It will also be invaluable to patients and families who are facing daunting challenges. With humor and the wisdom of experience it is a guide to overcoming the often overly pessimistic predictions of many care givers. Ms. Garrison's book is well-written, indeed often funny. Beware... if you pick it up, you may be glued to your seat for hours.