As long as I’m down here… I might as well put on my shoes: A Memoir
Sandra Justice Hall
Our book club’s theme for December was simply “sanity”
because who isn’t just trying to stay sane with the holidays?
I realized I had the perfect book on my shelf. I had
been meaning to read it ever since Sandra Justice Hall spoke at our library.
She made a real impression with her sense of humor and her tale of tenacity in
dealing with a brain tumor. I knew I wanted to read this book, so
I bought a copy and put it on my shelf.
As long as I’m down here…
is presented in short vignettes organized under the time frames of her first
brain surgery, her second brain surgery, and the path back to health. The
memoir is thin at only ninety-eight pages, with chapters just a scant few pages
each, and eminently readable.
The stories are humorous, illuminating, and uplifting.
There is also a strong cautionary note to the stories as she talks about not
listening to her gut and having to fight to get properly diagnosed.
Hall had been under the care of a neurologist who
diagnosed her with myasthenia gravis. “Secretly, my colleagues, friends, and
family labeled me a “hypochondriac.”
After seven years of no improvement with treatment, unrelenting
headaches led to the discovery of a tumor on her brain stem. Partially removed,
it continued to cause problems. Finally, balance issues led her to another MRI
and the recommendation of another surgery, this one high risk.
The writing style is just as humorous as her talk. One
vignette is titled, “Were you normal before brain surgery?” A question that
would make anyone gape, Sandy merely thinks it through and says, “Honey, I was
never normal!”
The vignettes are filled with her gratitude for the
support of so many people.
·
Her children and husband, including some
exasperating times with her husband.
·
The nursing staff, such as the nurse who
made ice chips for her from bottled water on her lunch because she couldn’t
drink and there was an outbreak of legionnaires at the hospital.
·
The doctors, those she had to fight with
and those she had to find.
·
Therapists, like the one who talked to her
about Moby Dick.
·
Her friends who buoyed her on the way like
the letters one wrote to open on certain days after the surgery, and the group
who kept her from shutting herself away.
After reading this book, I felt that
the author is a kindred spirit, for so many reasons.
It may be a small volume, but its impact is mighty,
and I highly recommend it.
