Beyond my Control
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Product Description
Product Description
Stuart Ross McCallum shares a true account of his battle with epilepsy-beginning with the peculiar sensations he experienced as a teenager that led to his diagnosis and concluding with his eventual recovery from a temporal lobe lobectomy.
McCallum vividly describes his twenty-year journey of living with epilepsy and how this unpredictable disease has not only impacted his life but the lives of everyone around him. For years he operated a business and managed his staff while battling an ever-increasing number of seizures. As his condition worsened and his postseizure responses became more intense, he was often prone to violent outbursts that threatened his safety as well as the safety of those in his inner circle. McCallum shares how the perception of the disease and the socially unacceptable behaviors that occurred as a result of his seizures eventually forced him to risk everything-he made the life-altering decision to undergo two brain operations that he hoped would provide freedom from a life of instability, danger, and stares from strangers.
Beyond My Control provides an honest, emotional look into a highly complex and often misunderstood condition and how one man's perseverance helped him break through the darkness to find hope on the other side.
About the Author
Stuart McCallum was born in England and now lives in Melbourne, Australia, with his wife and two children. After successful seizure surgery, he is now working as a freelance journalist. In his spare time, he enjoys studying health issues and volunteering to help the needy and underprivileged.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
My journey in life started in 1960. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
My journey in life started in 1960. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An important book to read if you are a doctor or in the medical profession and of course everyone who is interested in true stories of courage, honesty, hope and perseverance. How does the patient feel whilst in their most vulnerable state? Something many doctors and nurses fail to ask themselves as is evident in Stuart McCallums book 'Beyond my Control'. What an appropriate title for someone who suffers Epilepsy or any brain disorder actually. There are so few books available that describe a persons inner battle with humiliation, loss of control, emotions and awareness.
Addition to ' One man's struggle with epilepsy, seizure surgery and beyond' is the obvious love and support from his family, especially his wife Lisa. There every step of the way, having to raise their two children as well as supporting Stuarts desperate need for seizure stability. I feel though her greatest challenge -as well as Stuart- was dealing with the recovery after having part of his brain removed. Depression took over his life and hers as they battled the darkest possible situations. My hat goes off to both survivors. A true test of unity, partnership and inner strength within a family that is so important when dealt with circumstances 'Beyond your control'.
A well written, straightforward and honest account that touches all. A must read !
Addition to ' One man's struggle with epilepsy, seizure surgery and beyond' is the obvious love and support from his family, especially his wife Lisa. There every step of the way, having to raise their two children as well as supporting Stuarts desperate need for seizure stability. I feel though her greatest challenge -as well as Stuart- was dealing with the recovery after having part of his brain removed. Depression took over his life and hers as they battled the darkest possible situations. My hat goes off to both survivors. A true test of unity, partnership and inner strength within a family that is so important when dealt with circumstances 'Beyond your control'.
A well written, straightforward and honest account that touches all. A must read !
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Beyond my Control is one the most powerful heart wrenching stories I have been fortunate enough to read. Stuart shares his inner most thoughts with his readers. I truly felt honoured to be on his journey with him.
He writes about childhood briefly, his struggle to with anorexia nervosa, and starting and maintaining his stained glass business whilst experiencing 'peculiar sensations'.
My heart ached for him to find a diagnosis, for him to find peace, and sign he was not losing his sanity.
McCallum's easy-going nature and humour are self-evident in the book, even through his frustration and depression, he writes with warmth and the ability to laugh at himself.
McCallum documents his journey into depression, although expected, clearly and emotionally with a candid honesty that is refreshing.
Stuart freely allows his feelings to show from his impatience and frustration at being unable to find a true diagnosis, through his scared and shameful reaction to his own behaviour, to his love for his beautiful wife and children.
McCallum writes in an almost apologetic tone for the majority of the book. He is ashamed and remorseful of his behaviour, although it was beyond his control.
My overwhelming reaction to the book is one of admiration for McCallum and his family, for being able to live this life and still be strong and loving. Stuart and Lisa, his wife, are both people with incredible strength and dignity.
I would definitely recommended this book to anyone who enjoys true life stories, memoirs, or who wants to learn more about what it is like to live with this disease.
It is a truly remarkable book, written by a remarkable gentleman, whom I wish good health and success.
He writes about childhood briefly, his struggle to with anorexia nervosa, and starting and maintaining his stained glass business whilst experiencing 'peculiar sensations'.
My heart ached for him to find a diagnosis, for him to find peace, and sign he was not losing his sanity.
McCallum's easy-going nature and humour are self-evident in the book, even through his frustration and depression, he writes with warmth and the ability to laugh at himself.
McCallum documents his journey into depression, although expected, clearly and emotionally with a candid honesty that is refreshing.
Stuart freely allows his feelings to show from his impatience and frustration at being unable to find a true diagnosis, through his scared and shameful reaction to his own behaviour, to his love for his beautiful wife and children.
McCallum writes in an almost apologetic tone for the majority of the book. He is ashamed and remorseful of his behaviour, although it was beyond his control.
My overwhelming reaction to the book is one of admiration for McCallum and his family, for being able to live this life and still be strong and loving. Stuart and Lisa, his wife, are both people with incredible strength and dignity.
I would definitely recommended this book to anyone who enjoys true life stories, memoirs, or who wants to learn more about what it is like to live with this disease.
It is a truly remarkable book, written by a remarkable gentleman, whom I wish good health and success.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Wow! This book is a fascinating read of Stuart McCallum's experience with Epilepsy. I must admit that I knew very little about Epilepsy before reading this book, only that it was a condition causing random seizures. This is such an important book because it documents one man's experience of this very cruel condition which will help others who are going through the same or similar problems, and anyone who has a loved one battling against this condition. On a wider scale, it is also a story of great courage, strength of character, faith and determination. The great thing about this little book is that Stuart McCallum is a very ordinary man, he doesn't have any great or mysterious character traits which would set him apart from you or I, and he tells his story in a way that can be understood by everyone. It could be anyone's story; everyone struggles in one way or another in life -- we all have our cross to bear. Stuart's story is valuable as a lesson to us all that the human spirit is capable of facing many adversities and surviving. Most of all it is a message to never give in, and to carry on enjoying life, being grateful for what you have. It is not bogged down in medical detail, but does explain the ins and outs of the condition very well. It is written with humour, showing how this courageous soul was able to come out of life threatening surgery and retain a very positive view of life. I really enjoyed reading the book and congratulate Stuart McCallum on writing such an inspirational book about his journey. It was very well written, and even though there were a few editorial issues, these did not distract from the story because it is a very fast paced read.
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