Stroke Diaries: A Guide for Survivors and their Families

A woman recounts the horror of waking up paralyzed, unable to call for help. A man has a mini-stroke and refuses to listen to his doctor, only to suffer a disabling stroke soon after. A physician recalls watching a tiny baby in the throws of a stroke, convulsing violently. A survivor rejoices after finally crossing the street before the pedestrian lights change back.
Blending such highly personal and moving stories with crystal clear medical commentary based on first-hand clinical experience, Dr. Olajide Williams demystifies this potentially devastating illness and provides a roadmap to recovery. Indeed, Dr. Williams shows that the majority of strokes are not only preventable, but also treatable. Through compelling stories of patients, survivors and caregivers, woven together by easy-to-understand medical explanations, Dr. Williams provides practical tips on preventing strokes with specific lifestyle prescriptions, on recognizing the different forms of strokes, on managing symptoms after stroke, and on overcoming the psychological burden of stroke. He also reviews the new clot-busting treatments, which have dramatically improved the recovery rate of stroke victims.
Combining cutting-edge medicine with the gripping stories of patients, survivors, family members, and physicians, Stroke Diaries strikes a blow against the current public health crisis in stroke.

Customer Reviews:

Great book! Super informative, well written, and compassionate.

By Voracious Reader 45 - May 3, 2010

This book is a great, quick read for anyone affected by stroke. It's written almost in a short-story format - each chapter starts with a captivating story about someone who's experienced stroke.

It's easy to read and has just the right amount of medical explanation for you to really understand what's going on. I'd recommend this for anyone who is concerned about stroke, has experienced a stroke, or is supporting a family member or friend who's had a stroke. It really is a beautifully written medical book (who knew such a thing existed?!!!?).

"Stroke Diaries" Review Through a Stroke Survivor's Eyes

By Hazella Rollins-LaVar - April 16, 2010

Stroke Diaries: A Guide for Survivors and their Families
You will most definitely be glad you read this book! As a stroke survivor myself, I cannot say enough about the "treatment" Dr. Williams illustrates through his characters and their inner dialogue. His compassion and level of understanding shine through in each and every eloquently written word. As a physician, he shows the rare ability to understand the core of the human spirit inside both a stroke victim and a caregiver. It's because of doctors like him that survivors such as I are still here to testify. Once you start reading, you won't put it down...and he even incorporates medical definitions and illustrations to help give us a window into the clinical side. What a wonderfully gifted man, doctor, writer and educator! All I can say is THIS IS A "MUST READ". You'll understand stroke like never before. Kudos to you, Dr. Williams, for your insight and... read more

Concise and Compassionate

By Oladayo Sanusi "sanusi" - May 14, 2010

This easy to read book introduces in a compassionate way a better understanding of stroke for the patients, the family, and the care givers.
I have co-authored a book in the past with Dr. Williams. Heartquake: Songs for Healing. I thought I knew him his style in prose and poetry. However, his compassionate and concise `Stroke Diaries' has re-introduced him to me as a gentleman-physician, who knows how to deliver messages like a story teller.
I congratulate the human race for been blessed with people like Dr. Williams, whose relentless efforts at delivering quality care to his patients while educating all of us, will make a positive impact in our ways and approach to a disease that has multiple pathways in presentation, treatment and recovery.

Oladayo A. Sanusi, MD., FACP, FASN. (Author of RAW: Real American War)
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.