Gyroscope: A Survival of Sepsis - Color images included
|
by:
ISBN:
0-7414-6688-0
©2011
Price:
$32.95
Book Size:
5.5'' x 8.5''
, 232 pages
Category/Subject:
MEDICAL / Healing
Gyroscope is a compelling and inspiring true story about a miraculous survival of sepsis. It reveals and illustrates the innermost traumas and triumphs of a journey through this devastating illness.(Actual size of book is 6 x 9)
|
|
Abstract:
Gyroscope is a compelling, revealing, and inspiring true story about a miraculous survival of sepsis. From onset to recovery, this book takes you on an in-depth perilous journey through this devastating illness, which includes near-death and out-of-body experiences, desperation in the ICU, Divine intervention and healing, and soul-searching personal transformations. The extensive art work explores dreams, delirium, visits to the dark void, sadness, depression, terror, and love and hope. It offers a profound, introspective portal to view the innermost traumas and triumphs. Gyroscope opens our eyes to the magnitude of sepsis, and the aftermath of physical, mental, and spiritual recovery.
Click Here for a SNEAK
PEEK of this book.
|
Customer Reviews
A professional view of an intensely personal account
,
04/28/2012
|
Reviewer:
Ron Daniels
|
This is a harrowing, emotional and intensely personal description of one person's experience of sepsis- the condition claiming hundreds of thousands of lives every year worldwide.
In this book, we come to know Gary, and are taken on a journey from the onset of his first symptoms- how scared, physically exhausted and confused he felt- through to his lengthy rehabilitation. He uses art to enhance our awareness of his thoughts and feelings, including the paranoid and hallucinatory dimensions of his illness. Accounts of his family and friends fill in the gaps where he was too sick or too confused to accurately recall, and further illustrate the effect this terrible illness has on loved ones.
The descriptions and memories of Gary's Intensive Care Unit stay are accurate and insightful, and the insight into the capacity of patients at the very extremes of critical illness to recall and imagine a stark reminder for health workers involved in treating such patients. The book ends with a broad (and by the author's admission, necessarily incomplete) overview of some of the current research strategies in this condition.
This book is essential reading for health workers involved in treating patients with critical illness as a reminder of the vulnerability and humanity of their patients. I am certain it will bring comfort and familiarity to patients beginning their rehabilitation journey, and to families of those recovering from sepsis.
Dr Ron Daniels, U.K
Executive Director: Global Sepsis Alliance
|
Was this review helpful?
|
What I consider required reading
,
05/03/2012
|
Reviewer:
Dr. Carl Flatley, DDS, MSD
|
I just completed your book and enjoyed it immensely. It was however difficult at times to realize what my daughter, Erin, experienced in her last moments.
I was taken by your vivid descriptions and your depth of medical knowledge you shared. I would recommend it to both survivors, so they understand why they may still be suffering and the general public, so they understand this terrible syndrome.
It is obvious you spent considerable time researching the history, progress and current work being done on sepsis!
Congratulations on what I consider required reading for anyone working with, victim of, or a candidate to get sepsis! Your book will help many many people!!
Dr. Carl Flatley, DDS, MSD
Sepsis Alliance, Founder, Chairman
|
Was this review helpful?
|
Facinating Book
,
05/03/2012
|
Reviewer:
Steven Gifford
|
EVERYBODY SHOULD GET A HOLD OF THIS BOOK, AT LEAST THOSE WHO CARE AT ALL ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND SURVIVAL.
THIS IS A TALE OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE AND RECOVER FROM SEPSIS, THE TENTH GREATEST CAUSE OF DEATH.
YOU WILL BE BETTER MOTIVATED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SELF AFTER READING THIS BOOK, BECAUSE OF HOW HORRIBLE SEPSIS SYMPTOMS ARE,
INCLUDING EXTREME PAIN AND LOSS OF BODY FUNCTIONS. IN THE BOOK AUTHOR GARY BLACK REPORTS MADNESS, HALLUCINATIONS,
AND HIS SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO SURVIVAL WITH ALMOST ALL BODY FUNCTIONS RESTORED AND A CONTINUING RECOVERY.
INSPIRING AND HEARTENING STORY! GET IT!
This review is from: Gyroscope- A Survival of Sepsis (Paperback)
FASCINATING BOOK -- EVERYBODY SHOULD GET A HOLD OF THIS BOOK, AT LEAST THOSE WHO CARE AT ALL ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND SURVIVAL. THIS IS A TALE OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE AND RECOVER FROM SEPSIS, THE TENTH GREATEST CAUSE OF DEATH. YOU WILL BE BETTER MOTIVATED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SELF AFTER READING THIS BOOK, BECAUSE OF HOW HORRIBLE SEPSIS SYMPTOMS ARE, INCLUDING EXTREME PAIN AND LOSS OF BODY FUNCTIONS. IN THE BOOK AUTHOR GARY BLACK REPORTS MADNESS, HALLUCINATIONS, AND HIS SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO SURVIVAL WITH ALMOST ALL BODY FUNCTIONS RESTORED AND A CONTINUING RECOVERY. INSPIRING AND HEARTENING STORY! GET IT!
WWW.SPUNKYPRAYERPOEMS.BLOGSPOT.COM
|
Was this review helpful?
|
contient quelque chose pour chaque individu qui la lut
,
09/18/2012
|
Reviewer:
David Ndombasi Mpongo
|
Ton oeuvre, Gyroscope, contient quelque chose pour chaque individu qui la lut . Qu’il soit médecin ou infirmier, un curieux ou membre d’une famille affectée.
En lisant ton oeuvre je semblais voyager avec toi, saisi de temps en temps, avec toi, dans un gouffre ténébreux et sans fond du désespoir par une force incontrôlable, comme Gulliver saisi de par dessus la table par la main puissante d’un bébé géant qui lui susse la tête . Mais, avec toi, je me suis trouvé, à la fin, libéré par une force divine, à la lumière.
Je vais certainement recommander ton oeuvre à tous mes amis , ma famille et mes voisins.
David Ndombasi Mpongo
Your work, Gyroscope, contains something for every person who read it. Whether doctor or nurse, or curious family member affected.
Reading your work I seemed to travel with you, hearing from time to time with you in a dark abyss and bottomless despair by an uncontrollable force, as Gulliver seized over the table by the powerful hand of a giant baby which susse head. But with you, I found myself at the end, released by a divine force in the light.
I will definitely recommend your work to all my friends, my family and my neighbors.
David Ndombasi Mpongo
|
Was this review helpful?
|
How severe sepsis can be survived
,
10/09/2012
|
Reviewer:
Prof. Dr. Zsolt Molnar, MD,PhD, DEAA
|
SepsEast 1st Central and Eastern Europe Sepsis Forum
Budapest, September 19-23, 2012
Dear Gary,
SepsEast was indeed a great success. On the conference opening ceremony I took the liberty to show your book, your photo, and quote your description on the horror of severe sepsis. Thank you for that.
I read your book It is very touching and a very important work to demonstrate the audience how severe sepsis can be survived. It depends on us doctors, but also on our patients physical and psychologcal reserves. The latter has to be reinforced by us, family and friends. The pain what you have described is also very important. We are often unaware of, or underestimate the general pain what our patients have to go through even though they didn't have any surgical intervention. Best wishes Zsolt
Prof. Dr. Zsolt Molnár, MD, PhD, DEAA
Head of Department
Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy
Faculty of Medicine
University of Szeged
6. Semmelweis st., 6725 Szeged, Hungary
|
Was this review helpful?
|
A Remarkable Journey
,
11/04/2012
|
Reviewer:
O. Joseph Bienvenu, MD, PhD
|
Dear Gary,
I just finished reading your book. As I mentioned before, the most striking thing to me was how you were able, with your family's and God's help, to not only get through your experience but to also grow from it. You had a remarkable journey, and your dogged persistence in courageously collecting and assembling information is truly inspiring. I agree with you that writing your book and doing the artwork has been an important part of your impressive recovery. You describe your experiences and appreciation very well, and you also educate about the nature of sepsis. This is an important piece of work.
Regarding the figure, I love these #'s 1, 7, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 28, 30, 32, 33, 37, 40, 42, 46, 47, and 50.
Many thanks!
Joe B.
O. Joseph Bienvenu, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
600 N. Wolfe St. - Meyer 115
Baltimore, MD, 21287
|
Was this review helpful?
|
His powerful memoir
,
11/11/2012
|
Reviewer:
Richard T. Vacca, Professor Emeritus
|
I’ve known Gary Black for more than 20 years, as a former student of mine in the Education program at Kent State University and as a gifted artist whose paintings have been proudly and prominently displayed in my home. His powerful memoir, Gyroscope, captures the devastating effects of a little known but traumatic illness called sepsis which brought Gary to the brink of death, the gates of Hell, and back. He writes his story with the same artistic skill that he brings to his paintings. The personal account of the effects of sepsis on his body, mind, and soul reads like a thrilling mystery novel. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put this book down! Gary paints a vivid and mesmerizing picture of his near-death, out-of body experiences as well as his physical, psychological, and spiritual recovery. As compelling as his writing is, readers will take delight in the graphic novel-type artwork that accompanies Gary’s struggles with-- and his triumph over—this often fatal illness. His drawings of his experiences with sepsis are masterful. This is the story of an illness that needs to be told—and there is no one better to tell it than Gary Black.
Richard T. Vacca, Professor Emeritus
Kent State University
|
Was this review helpful?
|
A True Journal of Sepsis
,
12/13/2013
|
Reviewer:
Julie Branscomb-Eastman
|
Not having known this illness, nor heard the word "sepsis", until confronted with my father’s journey with sepsis. I was mesmerized by Gary Black's testimony, "Gyroscope" A Survival of Sepsis. The entire book is composed in such a way that makes you feel truly connected to this man's journey in faith-near death, and out of body experiences.
Very informative definitions and symptoms, fevers, chills and shaking, fear, fast heart beats, and delirium so many more given for this mysterious illness. Sepsis can occur from something as small as a paper cut.
The Art Journal illustrations especially the: " In and out of the dark". I recall my father telling me and the hospital staff there were bounty hunters watching him all night long. That a small picture on the ICU wall was a picture of his business he owned. Thank You Gary & Nancy Black
I heard of Gary's book from Dr. Jim O'Brien, and ordered mine though Amazon. I couldn't wait to read it, plus all the art work. Yes, sepsis is a daily struggle.
Julie Branscomb-Eastman
|
Was this review helpful?
|
Gyroscope has been a Godsend
,
02/22/2014
|
Reviewer:
Pat Murphy
|
I have contacted you to tell you what help your book, Gyroscope, A Survival of Sepsis has been to me. Well-meaning folks have been sending me books on near death experiences. But that was not what happened to me.
I entered the hospital 11-3-2013 with a perforated ulcer in my intestine that eventually led to my sepsis. It appeared that none of the doctors or nurses truly knew what I went through in those 7 days when I was in delirium, what I call, "My Alternate Universe." My surgeon did tell me I had only a 2% chance of living once I became lucid. The pictures you sketched at the back of the book, were exactly what I was seeing during those lost days--not trusting the medical folks, seeming as if someone was trying to drown me, watching the clock in my hospital room run backwards and forwards, and the demons...my God, the demons. When I finally awoke, I had no idea where I was or when I was placed there. 4 weeks in ICU, 6 weeks in rehab, and I finally learned to walk again and resume daily chores. But I am still tiring easily and trying to gain strength. I am lucky.
Anyway, thank you so much for writing this book. It has been a Godsend to know that others have survived this condition. And bless my surgeon and therapists and all who helped me during this unexpected turn in my life.
Pat Murphy retired teacher Pennsylvania
|
Was this review helpful?
|
A Personally Moving and Educational Account of Surviving Sepsis
,
06/25/2014
|
Reviewer:
Howard Hoover
|
The author has broken significant ground with “Gyroscope” from a literary, artistic, and medical standpoint. His perspective as a patient surviving sepsis and the numerous challenges to get back to where he was before this unforgiving condition grabbed hold of him is a relatable story and one that any person that has spent time in the ICU can understand. It is certainly apparent that this experience has stuck with him and his appreciation for the doctors, nurses, and staff that saved him is a true positive to his story. He escaped something awful and has been able to use the challenge to galvanize himself as a man, husband, father, and friend.
“Gyroscope” is an honest portrayal of what a patient experiences from start to finish and the changes that occur to one’s outlook on everything. This is especially evident in his artwork which provides a graphic illustration and complements his story perfectly. The biggest change however is that he has become a crusader as a result of his experience against sepsis and it is certainly a timely transformation given the rise in cases of sepsis, an affliction that does not see age, social class, race, nothing. It does not stop. I highly recommend “Gyroscope” for the healthcare professional and layperson. It is written in a way that will resonate with either. Thanks to the author for writing such an educational and personal account, however painful it must have been to recount, the positive effect it will have on sepsis identification and survival cannot be understated.
Howard Hoover / Author / Sepsis Advocate
Author : Travels through a toxic shock Nightmare
|
Was this review helpful?
|
Must Read! Honestly probes the causes and the impact of Sepsis
,
02/01/2015
|
Reviewer:
Lavinia Edmunds, Writer
|
Gyroscope: A Survival of Sepsis, by Gary Black, is must-reading for anyone who ends up in the hospital Intensive Care Unit. Doctors and caregivers also can benefit from reading this well-produced volume to give them insights into what it is like to experience the ICU from the patient’s perspective.
Black, backed by extensive research and his own personal experience, depicts in detail his survival of the sepsis which almost killed him. He honestly probes the causes and the impact of his illness, asking questions of himself as well as of his physicians and caregivers. It is testimony to Black’s faith, determination, family and art that he survived miraculously.
While he was in the hospital, he suffered from delirium,an increasingly common phenomenon that occurs in the ICU which for Black resulted in frightening hallucinations. Perhaps most moving are Black’s drawings of these visions, which bring to mind the intensity of Van Gogh. A skilled artist, Black fearlessly delves into his nightmares, along with showing the sadness and depression that accompanied his hospital stay. In “Captured Again,” he draws himself in a vat, with a crowd of devilish looking doctors and nurses, grinning fiendishly down at him.” Following the course of his disease, as Black gets better, the torturous images are replaced by the positive signs of recovery as in, “Back on My Feet”, in which he is moving on a walker with a nurse or therapist giving him an encouraging smile and a pat on the back. For readers who are recovering from serious illness, these drawings offer hope even as they document the difficult road to recovery. They are evidence of how Black ‘s art became a part of his therapy to lift “the burden of illness from my soul,” as he wrote.
Lavinia Edmunds, Writer
Baltimore, MD
|
Was this review helpful?
|
Have you read this book? Write a review and share your thoughts with other customers!
|