Striking Back at Stroke: A Doctor-Patient Journal

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 a compassionate tone and thoroughly explain each step of a stroke, from its causes to rehabilitation.