Storymusing: "As long as I'm down here . . . I might as well put on my shoes: A Memoir" by Sandra Justice Hall

 

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.