Thursday, November 4, 2021

Hope Heals - Book Review

 

Hope Heals book cover
Books find us when we need them. If ever I needed to focus on hope and healing, it was at the moment I downloaded this incredibly life-affirming account of how two extraordinary individuals survived the unsurvivable. This is an encouraging read for anyone dealing with trauma, a seemingly impossible situation, or a season of the heart requiring a lifeline.

Katherine and Jay Wolf were twenty-six, with a new baby, and tons of dreams, when the unimaginable happened—Katherine was struck down by a devastating brain stem stroke. People just don't survive the kind of massive neurovascular event this young mom had experienced. At the time, Katherine was expected to die during the initial marathon surgery needed to remove half of her brain. 

Forty days on life support. Endless surgeries. Slim odds of regaining lost capacities. What could possibly sustain a family during such an extreme time of suffering and uncertainty? 

Hope Heals is about endless love, authentic community, redefining yourself and what it means to be healed, and making the most of second chances. It is about finding an anchoring hope. Most of all, it is about overcoming.

A memoir like this truly puts things into perspective. Katherine and Jay's journey causes one to reflect on what it means to find restoration in the midst of living an unexpected life. It is that restoration that gives birth to new dreams.

Read this book for free with Kindle Unlimited. I also recommend the sequel: Suffer Strong - How to Survive Anything by Redefining Everything.





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


13 comments:

  1. Wow - I didn't think anyone could survive a massive stroke to the brainstem. It controls everything. Amazing that Catherine survived and found a way to rebuild her life. Thank you for bringing this story to my attention. You always find the books that are most needed to be read at any given time.

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    1. Katherine's survival was the first of many miracles. I have no doubt she is still here because her life has great purpose. I so respect and celebrate her spirit of helping lift up others who desperately need encouragement and hope.

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  2. This sounds like an incredible story and book! There are certainly things in life that are so overwhelming and oppressive, that we lose hope. I don't read much in the midst of difficulties because I tend to have trouble concentrating. For me and others like me, I suspect this would be an excellent book to have already read before our trials so the message is already committed to memory so we can pull from it when strength and hope are needed. Wishing you your season of healing as I know you won't lose sight of hope. ❤️

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    1. It is incredible. Your advice is excellent: to "bank" the wisdom to be found in this book before finding oneself in a time of great need. I'm sure there are many who experience what you shared about having difficulty concentrating when in the midst of trials. I tend to constantly read inspirational memoirs to fill myself with the strength and insights to be gleaned from those who have risen above it all. It's like my savings account, or emergency fund, for the tough times that are a reality of life. You can never be too prepared.

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  3. This sounds like an absolutely amazing, inspirational, must-read memoir, Diana! I can only imagine the courage, strength of character and purpose, and unbounded love that Katherine and Jay must have had to not only have survived this harrowing ordeal but also have thrived in its aftermath. Thank you for sharing another beautiful and inspiring book with valuable lessons for us all. 💗

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    1. Truly, their strength of spirit is above and beyond. I read to fill myself up with goodness and light. This is a memoir that achieves everything that makes reading my greatest joy (and such a huge blessing). To immerse oneself in Katherine and Jay's story/journey, is to take courage from their enormous capacity for fulfilling what they were created to be and to do.

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  4. This sounds a very powerful and inspirational book. To survive and rebuild through such a life threatening and traumatic ordeal shows amazing strength of character,spirit and love. Sometimes we do not know what we are capable of until we have to face up to it. Like others have said in the midst of a trauma I could not concentrate or have time to read any book, but reading it at another time would be very helpful and inspiring. Thank you for this recommendation.

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  5. This is the kind of movie I have to be in the mood to watch. I find these stories of devastation difficult to view sometimes, but it sounds like this one has a beautiful message and maybe even a happy ending? lol - I know, you don't have to tell me. I'll keep this one in mind for sure.

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  6. You are so right about what is revealed in times of trauma. And, most of us are totally exhausted during those times (too tired or overwhelmed to read). I have found that this pandemic season is the perfect time to read about overcoming.

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  7. Nice review, thank you, this book sounds like an interesting and inspiring story.

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  8. Oh my Diana! This book sounds like it could inspire anyone that is facing real life trials! Looking back on my own life, I realize every day how very blessed I have been and it has made me thankful all the time. I can imagine a story like this would bring those feelings of blessings in our lives to the forefront. I will look for this book for sure and share it with many! Thank you!

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    1. Yes... while reading this I thought about how my worst day would be Katherine and Jay's best day. There are so many individuals and families facing the hardest times of their lives. Anything we can do to encourage and lift those who are hurting will be a joint blessing.

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