ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: LADavid on August 04, 2012, 01:04:06 pm
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First, a big thanks to Kay for letting you all know about this. You're a good friend, Ms Kaybo. As some of you may remember me, I was an active Forum participant several years ago (until I got sidetracked) and a contributor to the ANA Newsletter. Over the time that I participated, the one thing that struck me as odd was the number of questions newbies and even some old posties had -- myself included. It seems to me that something as life-changing as an AN shouldn't be shrouded in mystery -- at least for folks like us who didn't spend 12 years in medical school. So I set out to write a book about my medical mystery tour in terms that a simple guy like I am could understand. I may or may not have achieved that -- two years researching mega-syllable Latin terms causes one to go braindead. The book is called Hell in the Head. The title refers to two hells -- one our little AN friend; the other the doubt and fear and lonliness and depression that cripples us and who we are when things don't go right. As I was writing the book, it occured to me what a profound affect the Forum had on my post-surgery life -- including the discovery that I, one, had synkinesis and, two, that it was permanent -- no one else clued me in on that. I credit the Forum and the ANA for my support and enlightenment throughout the book. But I'd like to take a moment now to thank all of you for the part you played in making this book happen. It is greatly appreciated and will always be remembered. You guys rock. You are my family.
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David .....
You were such a tremendous support to me, not only before my second AN surgery by your posts on the forum, but also physically by taking the time to come to St. Vincent's to see me and you, Nancy, and Lainie leading us on our special tour of down town Los Angeles ..... a day neither Truman nor I will ever forget!
I can hardly wait for your book to arrive on my doorstep ..... no one better bother me until I have read it "kivver to kivver!!" :o ;D
Clarice
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David,
Thanks ahead of time for writing a book about "these things" as so many people have never heard about them until we get one and then "shock and awe or is that dread" take over...and it is hard to think of anything else.
I have had my surgery, but still am eagerly awaiting reading your book and I am quite sure that it will help many on "both"sides..
Best of luck to you and the book,, Jane
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LADavid,
I was thinking something as I was about to order it on my Kindle, I thought to myself, if my Kindle is my personal reading device, how will I be able to share this wonderful bit of information with others?
Then the answer came to me, why not buy 2 books online keeping one for myself and one to give to someone else?
Mike
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David,
thanks for writing this book for AN patients; something that was long overdue.
My copy just shipped from Amazon this morning and I'm anxious to read it.
Best,
Jan
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Looking forward to reading. Going to order mine soon!
Thanks!
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I had been thinking a book on this topic was in order!
I am ordering tomorrow.
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Unfortunately, I don't think there is a Kindle version. At least I couldn't get it to come up on Amazon. Anybody else?
Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
I thought I was experiencing technical problems with my Kindle as well. For the life of me, although I tried several times, I did not succeed! We just have to demand that Amazon do something go the distance by making it available on the Kindle. Perhaps if enough of us "request" it they will see the error and make it available!
After all, is it not the very purpose of the Kindle?
Mike
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I ordered LA David's book: Hell in the Head from Amazon. I think it is a GREAT read!
So impressed that one of OUR forum members would take the time to put the details of an AN journey in lay terms, in a book. Bravo to you David!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
JW
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David,
I am helping you get off SS diasbility... I ordered two.. free shipping.. :P
Mine came Sat. and I have read for about 4 hrs straight so far and love it.. especially us Posties that have facial issues or any unexpected issues.. GREAT so far,, gotta go fix supper and then on to more reading.. and I don't even like to read books.. sad as that is to say... can't put it down..
BIG thanks for getting this viewpoint and info out there for all of us ANers.... best of luck to you!! Jane
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Read the book. Loved the book.
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I haven't ordered mine yet but am going to soon!
Thank you, David!
Keri
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great book, David!
A must read for "newbies" and wonderful resource for anyone. . much info in it..and easy to understand.. I will highly recommend to anyone dealing with ANs... thanks so much ,, just wish it had come out a little sooner,, I had surgery last Oct.... but wonderful info.. Jane
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David
I'll be watching for this to come out as an audiobook either commercially or through NLS or maybe even bookshare. I would love to read it but reading print books is a bit rough.
Glen
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I ordered mine and am awaiting its arrival.. it will likely come the middle of this week!
Keri
G-Man - my friends, Lloyd and Judy, asked about you last time they attended a NFB meeting. I think it was in Dallas this summer. Did you go?
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I've been side lined by the end of summer & kids. The book has traveled many miles in my backpack (I was in the car 33 hours in a 2 week time period!) but since I was driving did not get to read. Hopefully I'll get to pick it back up after I get everyone settled in their new classes!
Always a mom first!
K ;D
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I've been side lined by the end of summer & kids. The book has traveled many miles in my backpack (I was in the car 33 hours in a 2 week time period!) but since I was driving did not get to read. Hopefully I'll get to pick it back up after I get everyone settled in their new classes!
Always a mom first!
K ;D
Kaybo
Didn't go to Dallas. I might go to Orlando next year. Hard to say right now.
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I'm just now starting to get back to reading more posts since surgery on 8/1 and am thrilled to hear about your book. As soon as I post this I plan to order it. Thanks!
Karen
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Just finished this book about 30 minutes ago.
Two biggest (personal) impressions I got from it:
1) thank God my doctor wasn't like David's in the sense that he gave me complete and absolute disclosure - along with statistics - of every little thing that I could possibly expect from surgery. Even the side-effects that I had an extremely small chance of encountering he felt he had to tell me about. Scared the sh*t out of me, but he felt it was necessary since (in his words) he sees a lot of people that went to other doctors who didn't tell them what could happen.
2) I also agree with David that vestibular exercises should be done both pre and post op. This was something that my doc prescribed as soon as I made my surgery decision and I've not heard of others doctors doing this. Did it make a difference in my balance issues which are extremely small? I'll never know, but I'm thankful I didn't have to find out.
Jan
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Thank you all so much for buying the book, reading it, your kind reviews, your Amazon reviews, and for playing such a major part in the story. As I have said many times on this Forum and in the book, the book would never have been written had it not been for all of you on the Forum. And had I never found you all I would be stumbling around in the dark with a crooked smile trying to figure out what was going on. To give you a little perspective, the book actually started on here as I told the story of my recovery (to that point). A lot of you seemed to enjoy my writing which lead to the article in the ANA newsletter which, two years later, resulted in writing a book. So I have to thank you all for that beginning. And to answer some of your questions about a Kindle version, I'm working with an old-fashioned publisher who believes a book is a book made of paper and print. I'm sharing with them these comments and will encourage them to step foot into the modern world. I do know that they are hesitant due to the formating costs and the different book numbers and their ROI experience. I'll keep at it. In the meantime, thank you all very much for your support. It is very much appreciated.
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I'm still waiting for mine to arrive. Congratulations!
Karen
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You'll find that the book is a pretty quick read.
Those of you who are waiting for a Kindle version should just buy the printed version.
Jan
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David
I just sent an e-mail to the people at NLS BARD inquiring to see if "Hell in the Head" can be made into a Talking Book that would be available to blind people everywhere in the US. I'll let you know if anything comes of it.
The procedure is probably that I have to provide 2 copies of the book. I'd gladly do that so that I can read it and give other visually impaired people access to it.
G_Man.
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David,
I will be ordering this book this weekend with some other Amazon purchases. Thank you for sharing your story, not only to us, but to the world.
Im excited to read it, and learn about your journey!
Im also happy to support another Pittsburgher in the process!!!
Go Steeler!!!
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David your book was great...I really like how you were blunt and to the point about this devil in the head...I gave mine a name EARL...I kicked his ass to do curb but he left his mark on my face, my neck, my head LOL I am 10 months post op...so I am in therapy for facial retraining and about to have BOTOX injections...from your book I read they hurt like hell..:( Anyway just thanks so much for writing this..I have endometriosis as well and I have thought about writing about my journey with both...
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Hi David, I too have written a few books and am writing this AN journey and some medical background info too and what Iam personally finding out and it is alot.. I was hoping you can tell me how you found a publisher , how much it costs and how you got it on amazon b/c I have another one sitting on the shelf waiting to get out but unaware of how to do it the right way and to get it done so I am not using my last cent on it. Any info you give me will be so appreciated, these books are spiritual and for self-help, and years of research and I would love to add to them and get them out since this has me home alot now... and would lift up many who read them... I think I can get the ISBN did you or was that done for you? Sincerely appreciated, Grace
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Hi Grace I'll send you a private message since the answer is somewhat involved.
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I can't wait to go on Amazon and order the book. Thanks in advance David for writing it.
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I got mine last night...picked it up and read half of it already today...David you are a very good writer, and I'm enjoying your story.
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Hi David, Both my husband and I have read your book. I plan to read it again and keep a highlighter near me so I can note important facts. Its a great book and I am so glad you shared your journey with us. Truly inspiring story.
Kathy Rhoades