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Incredibly emotional book May 24, 2008
Bought the book months ago and couldn't find the time to read it. Once I picked it up, I literally could not put it down. I read it from front cover to back in just a few hours.
Norris is an incredible HERO. And Janis, well, I'm not sure how to categorize her. An Angel, (possibly part demon when it came to the medical supervision of her husband and hero's treatment).
I made it through the first 12 pages without incident, but from page 13 forward, it became difficult to read through misty eyes.
Norris and Janis, two HEROES in my book.
5 of 7 found the following review helpful:
A "Must Read" for military families. Learn about life of injured soldiers and family support Feb 10, 2008
This true story is written by a military wife, Janis Galatas, who journals from the time her husband, Sergeant First Class Norris Galatas, is critically wounded on April 19, 2005 (April 20 in Iraq) in "the start of a bad day" by his truck running over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while he is out a recovery mission for another vehicle hit by an IED, through November 2007. It chronicles his many year recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), the care and love of his wife Janis, and the many people who have made a difference in their lives. This book contains valuable advice for the military and family members and provides insight into what happens to the soldiers and their family after they return home injured from the war.
Janis is a down-to-earth, strong, and passionate wife whose love and dedication to her husband is inspirational as she stays by her husband's bedside during the critical months of his recovery and at times goes off to battle with the military system herself when she doesn't feel her husband is getting the quality of care he needs or to help get troops in Iraq the equipment and supplies they need. As one person wrote in an e-mail to Norris, "...if the Army ever were to issue a wife they would do their best to find women like your wife." Janis represents the strength, love, and dedication of the military wives whose sacrifices and love make it possible for their husbands to defend our country.
Norris is one of the many wounded soldiers who have come back from a war. His courage, humor, strength, bravery and long road to recovery to a changed life based on his injuries is a look into one story of the many soldiers who risk their lives serving in their line of duty. I have known Norris for seven months after meeting him, August 2007 at a USO Hawaiian Luau event for wounded soldiers at the Mologne House. Several times a month, we meet for lunch and I do Reiki and Healing Touch energy healing therapy for him to reduce his pain and accelerate his healing. He is a wonderful, kind, humble, humorous man who is a great conversationalist and listener and has managed to never swear in front of me.
For the many people who have given support to Janis and Norris and to the military, this book is a tribute to the love and generosity of the American people. You will be touched by the lady on the Delta plane who helped make sure Janis got special treatment to get her connection to Reagan International airport to see her husband when he was wounded or the kind man who gave up his first class seat to Norris since he was in uniform. This and other examples of the goodness of the American people, like those who give through www.webofsupport.com, who through their generosity, give hope for our country's future and tribute to the caring of our American spirit.
This book is a "must read" for military and their families to give them valuable tips on the help available through the military and WRAMC as well as avoiding some of the pitfalls. On pages 73 and 248 are examples of a young wounded soldier who signed himself out as a patient to go home for rehabilitation but now was no longer receiving a paycheck or active duty pay and would need to depend on Medicare and the Veteran's Administration hospital for future medical care. If he was still an outpatient at WRAMC, he would still be receiving medical treatment, pay and could go home on leave. To make it easier for the families and soldiers who are recovering to find the valuable tidbits of information throughout the book, the following are some helpful references:
p. 18 - 20 - Family Assistance Center (FAC) on 3rd floor of hospital- can give advance cash per diem to family caregivers; need to sign in every 10 days to assure the caregiver has a room at the Mologne or Fisher House; and at end of the caregiver's stay, file a final travel voucher for reimbursement. Computers with e-mail capability available.
P. 124 - Walter Reed Society grant for travel and expense assistance. Chapel for meal vouchers.
Hospital has Dunkin' Donuts and Subway. Burger King available at the Post Exchange (PX).
p. 18 - Description of a Mologne House room and amenities
p. 65 - Importance of having someone there to monitor the IVs and the wound vacuums that remove excess fluid. P. 97- no access to the call button. These are some of the examples of the need for a caregiver staying with or checking in as much as possible a patient who is recovering at a hospital, whether military or civilian. I have encountered similar situations at reputable civilian hospitals in Maryland.
p. 116 - Baby food available on pediatrics floor pantry - useful for when patient has been unable to eat for weeks.
p. 162 - Triangle trapeze to help a soldier sit up. Claim forms for lost or damaged personal property
p. 165 - Important information about soldiers drawing combat pay for three months
p. 268 - Claim form for reimbursement for troops who have purchased needed equipment out of their own pocket, like steel to armor a vehicle
p. 287 - Wounded soldiers eligible for Supplemental Security payments from the Social Security Administration
p. 205 - Wrapping a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) line with an ace bandage so it doesn't get caught on a hospital gown or bed linens
p. 332 - 333 - Very important information about disability information, payments, and health benefits
p. 336 - The importance of taking clear pictures of the injuries as documentation for disability claims
Overall, the book was a "good read" and gives a riveting first hand account with humor, frank honesty, and at a good pace. Even though I knew how the story "ends" and have heard some of the stories from Janis and Norris, I had a hard time putting the book down because I wanted to see what happened to Norris in the book. Norris and Janis are truly some of the finest people you could hope to meet, the kind of people who would like as a neighbor. I hope you enjoy meeting them in the book.
3 of 5 found the following review helpful:
A Soldier's Courage Feb 09, 2008
Both my husband and I read this book and felt it well worth reading. It's written from a complete journal his wife kept throughout his past 3 years with 19 surgeries, up to now, and his courageous struggle to recover. This reveals how important it is for the family of the wounded to actually live at Walter Reed to help in the day-to-day care, avoiding as many unfortunate episodes as possible that happen in such a large institution. It also touches on the problems the wounded face later when applying for their medical disability.
This book is a "must" for everyone so they may follow the long ordeal of survival from horrendous wounds. It puts "just wounded" into an entirely different perspective as we hear of their painful struggles while healing.
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