You bet, I'd like to hang with you awhile--we're all survivors! I have to say I was always optmistic and happy--what a gift from God. I can't say how I would have been dealing with all the pain and surgeries required of you at
a developmental age. Perhaps, I would have dealt with things differently if I
was hit with something so hard at a tender age. At 37, married, responsible
for a 3 year old--my priorities were in tact. I make fun of my stroke, it gives me a sense of power over it--the upper hand--albeit the right hand only as the left is only good for decorating.

Well, you asked not to give anything away--and I hate to spoil the
ending--but I lived! I continue to suffer hemiparesis on my left side--lots of tone/spasticity pain--fatigue and very frequently resort to naps. If I dwelled on it, it would consume me and I weouldn't be able to function--I make it take a backseat. Rory's 12 now and suffers alot of anxiety for what he witnessed in those early years.

I can give you some pointers about getting a book published. I originally self-published last year under the title, P.S. Julia missing a piece of your mind can be puzzling--it went to the bestseller list in Boston in less than 2 months, and that created a buzz--ultimately it went to auction in NYC with several publishers. HarperCollins has been great--like family. I recommend to everyone to self-publish first--for many reasons. In fact I'll be doing a lecture at a Havard CME course on the publishing aspect. Thoughts in your head is how it starts--but you're probably ready to move to an outline next--I dictated into a digital recorder because of my paralysis. Get going my friend--you'll do something for yourself as well as help others!

Lizard, I have a big mouth too--you must know that from reading my book
love, -julia

Julia. hon', you are such an asset to this forum! Thank you so much for taking the time you have to "hang" with us and mentor us through some of the things we're trying to handle.

As for having the issues I have had all my life, that has the beauty of making you used to it very quickly, so even though I took my licks as a kid (and yeah...there were plenty ), I have had 40 years to get used to this thing that has owned my brain from Day One, and it's really not so bad. You can probably tell from my sig that I have had amazing blessings re my outcome with hydro and various effects from it--no shunt surgery in 26 years!! I can't even tell you what a big deal that is. Yeah, I have the occasional "bad brain day," but at least it's occasional, and I can devote most of my energy to seeing to my son's needs. He is doing wonderfully, btw, and I just attended a spectacular autism conference right here in Prov that taught me more than I could have ever imagined. Many affected adults were terrific about reassuring me that I am doing the right things, and that I shouldn't feel any guilt about pushing Drew or yelling at the school for babying him. What that does for a mother's ego, especially after years and years of snotty looks and harsh judgment from so many people, I can't even describe! In fact, re my hydro, the scariest thing that ever happened to me was coming to from a grand mal sz, knowing my then-2 1/2 yo daughter had seen it! Thank God, she recalls nothing now, but I carried the guilt forever. It's certainly not even close to what you (and your husband and son) went through, but it was bad enough.

I'm so sorry about Rory's anxiety, but it's certainly understandable, and I can imagine he takes a lot of pride in who his mom is. If not, he sure should!

So...your cognition was undisturbed? No issues with memory? How about things like following oral directions? These are the greatest challenges for me now. I just carted my daughter all over town with several of her friends, going to this one's house and that one's house, and between the waning daylight and the serious problem I have getting from B to C, I am spent, even though it only took maybe half an hour. Of all my hydro effects, it may not be the most serious, but it sure is the greatest pain in the @$$!

I have an outline to the book I can send to you, if you'd like. I got everybody's thoughts on it, and I think it'll be a good, comprehensive volume. Now we just have to figure out who's writing what parts.

Thank you again for all your encouragement! We're close enough geographically that we'll just have to meet at some point. I would be very honored.


LIZARD

Hey my new friends! (A gift from my stroke is all the people that have come into my life, that otherwise I would have been too busy wrapped up in my old life to notice)

I'll do what I can to help on your book. I think it would be a great benefit to others. I'm going to be doing a talk for a Havard CME on publishing in March. I haven't put my talk together yet, but when it's done I'll send it to you Lizard. For now, I can give you some pointers and what not. I started with an outline, dictated into a digital recorder, transcribed & edited, hired an editor, hired a graphic designer for book layout and jacket design, & website.
I checked about 20 printers for quotes--I went with BookMasters because they had a fufillment arm (Atlas books--they distribute and fill orders).
You'll also need a marketing plan on how you will promote--I can show you
mine offline if you'd like).

on another note: Are you mothers having a hard time getting back into the school swing. Rory started middle school and is picked up at 6:40--my eyes usually don't open for another few hours. What an adjustment for all of us!
-xo-j

Hey, Julia!

Great to "see" you again! I appreciate any help you're willing to lend us. Thanks so much. The book outline is here:

http://forums.braintalk2.org/showthread.php?t=205 Feel free to give me any input you have on it.

Yeah...school is making me drag on my @$$, too. I have never been an early riser, and Drew is picked up at about 7:20. I can't even fathom 6:40! When is done for the day? Is Jim able to help you get him ready? Do you mostly just have to get him up (or make sure he's up)? I have to make Drew's breakfast and lunch and stand over him to make sure he gets dressed. What a p.i.t.a. I just hope I'm not having to do it when he's 30, but you never know with autism...


((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))) ,

LIZARD

I read another book a couple of years ago, I think it was called " I Just Had Brain Surgery Whats Your Excuse" It was pretty good, another one from Mass (Bolton).

Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Brain-Surgery-...e=UTF8&s=books

Hi Julia I just picked up your book, look forward to reading it!