Book Review: Chief Complaint; Brain Tumor

Chief Complaint: Brain Tumor

Author: John Kerastas

Publisher: Sunstone Press

Date: November 15, 2012





About the Author
John W. Kerastas has worked at a global advertising agency, at several technology start-up companies and as a free-lance writer. Now, in addition to non-profit and charitable work, he spends his time blogging, speaking and writing about brain health, brain tumors and rehab.

Meningioma (The Blob) 
"CHIEF COMPLAINT: BRAIN TUMOR", that was the subject line on the memo sent from John Kerastas' neurosurgeon to his general practitioner.

This memoir chronicles the first year the author spent addressing tumor-related health issues: preparing for his first operation, discovering a dangerous skull infection, having the infected portion of his skull surgically removed,learning about his substantial vision and cognitive losses, undergoing rehab and radiation treatments, and learning to live with his "new normal".

Mr. Kerastas is brutally honest about the challenges he faced during his operations and treatments.  He depends on his humor to sustain him during the emotional highs and lows that come with a serious illness.

My Thoughts
I am sure that the Kerastas family has been through a very difficult time during the past several years. I wish I could give each one of them a big hug. A serious illness like this has a ripple effect among the entire family.

This story is a wonderful example of the power of laughter. John did not find his brain tumor funny but he was able to look on the bright side and laugh at himself during the difficult days that he experienced.

John's occupational therapist gave him lessons from Lumosity to increase his brain function. This site is is an online tool for cognitive enhancement. The author would take tests and work puzzles each day to improve his memory, focus and attention. I had never heard of this site so I went to Lumosity to test the condition of my brain. I scored in the top 85% of all who have taken the test on my first day. I will go back each day and see if I can improve my score. 

I think this is an outstanding book about exactly what happens when you are diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor. However, you don't have to have a brain tumor to benefit from reading this book. This is a story of courage, persistence and determination. You will draw strength and inspiration from John's story. Highly recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars out of 5

FYI ~ The author sent me a complimentary print copy of this book to read and review.

I would love for you to FOLLOW this blog. You may use either the Google Friend Connect or the Networked Blog widget to show your support and encouragement.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: Maximum Brainpower; Challenging The Brain For Health And Wisdom

Maximum Brainpower: Challenging the Brain for Health and Wisdom

Authors: Shlomo Breznitz and Collins Hemingway

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Date: June 26, 2012

Pages: 288


About The Authors
Shlomo Breznitz is the founder of CogniFit, a company devoted to the goal of improving cognitive fitness. The author of seven books and many scientific articles, he has been engaged as a visiting professor by numerous leading institutions, including the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University, and the London School of Economics.

Collins Hemingway is a writer and technologist who has co-written several books and written innumerable articles for the general public.

Challenging The Brain
Most people realize that a fit brain is likely the most important contributor to a long, healthy and active life. "Maximum Brainpower" discusses the brain in a way that is understandable, interesting and challenging. The book provides a lifelong strategy to keep the mind active and the brain healthy.

Did you know that?

• Mental stress can have more devastating impact on us than physical stress.
• Experts are often less mentally agile than jack-of-all-trades.
• Hope is a major healing agent.
• Mental exercises such as crossword puzzles and Sudoku are of minimal help in building brainpower.
• A college education can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by two-thirds. The main benefit of college is it provides more interesting and challenging career choices. The more challenging our life work, the more stimulated our brains become and the greater the cognitive reserves we build.

Dr. Breznitz states that we can't change what happened earlier in our lives, but at any age we can begin to engage our brains. We can take college courses NOW. We can learn new skills...a musical instrument or a new language. We can engage in new activities...especially those involving physical exercise, which helps build the brain. The greater the variety of our activities, the better it is for the brain. Every different thing we do stimulates our brain in different ways.
 
My Thoughts
 I learned a great deal of information from this book. The book grabbed my attention in the first few chapters when it explained that it is very difficult for us to "unlearn" something that is learned from past experience. The author stated we learn early and quickly but then tend to settle into relatively fixed attitudes for the rest of our lives. The problem is that experience often teaches us the wrong lessons.

This book will be life-changing for all who read it, study it and apply the principles that are presented. It is time for us to change our thinking if we want a long and healthy life.  I recommend this book to all who are interested in complete body health and fitness.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary print copy of this book from the author's publicist to read and review.

I would love for you to FOLLOW this blog. You may use either the Google Friend Connect or the Networked Blog widget to show your support and encouragement.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

This Is Your Mind In Love: A Book Review

This is Your Brain in Love: New Scientific Breakthroughs for a More Passionate and Emotionally Healthy Marriage is a fascinating book that helps you understand the brain as it applies to love.

Dr. Earl Henslin applies the latest in brain imaging to real life and shows how the brain affects your love life.  This book is filled with stories of real couples that Dr. Henslin has counseled in his private practice.  Dr. Henslin is the founder of a Christian counseling group in California.

Dr. Henslin identifies the following kinds of lovers and connects them to specific sections of your brain;

The Scattered Lover (Prefrontal Cortex)
The Overfocused Lover ( Cingulate Gyrus)
The Blue Mood Lover ( Deep Limbic System)
The Agitated Lover ( Temporal Lobes)
The Anxious Lover ( Basal Ganglia)

Dr Henslin encourages people to have a SPECT Brain Scan to be able to determine what category you are in.  However, you don't need to have a brain scan to gain valuable information from this book.  There is a self-test at the beginning of each chapter that lists symptoms for each kind of lover.  Dr. Henslin offers suggestions for "calming" each of the lover types and strategies for his/her spouse.

This book offers medical advise, dietary suggestions and supplements, relaxation techniques and much more information on how to become the best spouse that you can be.   The book is written by a clinical psychologist but the information is not too tedious or technical. 

I decided that I am somewhere between a scattered lover and an anxious lover.  I plan to take many of the suggestions in this book and apply them to my life.  I recommend this book for your consideration if you are seeking a more passionate and emotionally healthy marriage.