Rating: 
Summary: This one's for everyone!
Review: Although this book was obviously written for people who have loved ones with chronic illness, it's message would benefit everyone. This book is really about communication and relationships. It's about how to move your relationships to a higher level of trust and understanding. Anyone who is in a relationship, a family, or any type of community would greatly benefit from reading this moving, yet humorously presented, story. This author has opened his heart and soul for all of us to learn. Excellent!
Rating:
Summary: Something our family needed!
Review: As soon as I read the introductory essay, I was hooked. Due to Piburn's easy to read and conversational writing style, I felt I was sitting with a friend and discussing how he entered the unknown world of doctors, hospitals, and illness and emerged on the other side as a stronger person. Granted it was his wife, Sherry, who was (and is) ill, but the purpose of this book is to reflect how Piburn battled with his own feelings, perceived weaknesses and guilt when faced with the dilemma of playing the "caretaker" role. The book draws a picture of a "normal" family who was hit with the realization that life is not easy. Although this portrayal of the family could have been sappy and contrived, I felt the presentation of the facts never made me pity the Piburn's or the situation in which they abruptly found themselves thrown. Instead I found myself drawn to the way they were able to grow through the experience. Piburn was willing to strip himself bare in order to help the reader learn from his mistakes. The added bonus for me was the transportability of this information into all aspects of your life...not just how you deal with a chronically ill family member, but how you work with a team of co-workers, how you communicate with friends, etc. It deals with the tough issue of getting past the trap of wearing a "happy face," avoiding conflict and living with dishonesty and moving to an environment of truth and courage. I would recommend this book without hesitation to just about anyone who finds himself in a situation where interaction with people plays a major role in his life.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent...It grabbed my interest from the beginning!
Review: As soon as I read the introductory essay, I was hooked. Due to Piburn's easy to read and conversational writing style, I felt I was sitting with a friend and discussing how he entered the unknown world of doctors, hospitals, and illness and emerged on the other side as a stronger person. Granted it was his wife, Sherry, who was (and is) ill, but the purpose of this book is to reflect how Piburn battled with his own feelings, perceived weaknesses and guilt when faced with the dilemma of playing the "caretaker" role. The book draws a picture of a "normal" family who was hit with the realization that life is not easy. Although this portrayal of the family could have been sappy and contrived, I felt the presentation of the facts never made me pity the Piburn's or the situation in which they abruptly found themselves thrown. Instead I found myself drawn to the way they were able to grow through the experience. Piburn was willing to strip himself bare in order to help the reader learn from his mistakes. The added bonus for me was the transportability of this information into all aspects of your life...not just how you deal with a chronically ill family member, but how you work with a team of co-workers, how you communicate with friends, etc. It deals with the tough issue of getting past the trap of wearing a "happy face," avoiding conflict and living with dishonesty and moving to an environment of truth and courage. I would recommend this book without hesitation to just about anyone who finds himself in a situation where interaction with people plays a major role in his life.
Rating:
Summary: Every Partner Needs this Book!
Review: Hello, I have numerous chronic illness and pain problems and am finding it very hard to get support because many of my symptoms are subjective or "invisible". I have FMS, MPS, CFS, DDD, Bulging discs and numerous spinal problems, plus chronic pain syndrome. My only support is my husband and he's still in the denial stages, so I picked up this book for HIM. I read it 1st and put tiny little notes in the margin for him. The book is separated into 4 sections and each section has suggested very helpful exercises for the reader. It teaches communication and strengthening of the marriage, this book shows how one can be supportive without using the usual patient/caretaker roles that can be demeaning and frustrating to both. I read the book in 2 days and I highly recommend it to the partner of anyone suffering any chronic condition (and also to the person suffering as well). The book is thoroughly honest and open about the total experience of dealing with a partner, accepting the losses and grieving the way your partner used to be then appreciating the person your partner is now. It is the only book of this kind available and even if there were 50 like it, this one would be at the top of the list.
Rating:
Summary: Every Partner Needs this Book!
Review: Hello, I have numerous chronic illness and pain problems and am finding it very hard to get support because many of my symptoms are subjective or "invisible". I have FMS, MPS, CFS, DDD, Bulging discs and numerous spinal problems, plus chronic pain syndrome. My only support is my husband and he's still in the denial stages, so I picked up this book for HIM. I read it 1st and put tiny little notes in the margin for him. The book is separated into 4 sections and each section has suggested very helpful exercises for the reader. It teaches communication and strengthening of the marriage, this book shows how one can be supportive without using the usual patient/caretaker roles that can be demeaning and frustrating to both. I read the book in 2 days and I highly recommend it to the partner of anyone suffering any chronic condition (and also to the person suffering as well). The book is thoroughly honest and open about the total experience of dealing with a partner, accepting the losses and grieving the way your partner used to be then appreciating the person your partner is now. It is the only book of this kind available and even if there were 50 like it, this one would be at the top of the list.
Rating:
Summary: Every Partner Needs this Book!
Review: Hello, I have numerous chronic illness and pain problems and am finding it very hard to get support because many of my symptoms are subjective or "invisible". I have FMS, MPS, CFS, DDD, Bulging discs and numerous spinal problems, plus chronic pain syndrome. My only support is my husband and he's still in the denial stages, so I picked up this book for HIM. I read it 1st and put tiny little notes in the margin for him. The book is separated into 4 sections and each section has suggested very helpful exercises for the reader. It teaches communication and strengthening of the marriage, this book shows how one can be supportive without using the usual patient/caretaker roles that can be demeaning and frustrating to both. I read the book in 2 days and I highly recommend it to the partner of anyone suffering any chronic condition (and also to the person suffering as well). The book is thoroughly honest and open about the total experience of dealing with a partner, accepting the losses and grieving the way your partner used to be then appreciating the person your partner is now. It is the only book of this kind available and even if there were 50 like it, this one would be at the top of the list.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond Chaos: One Man's Journey Alongside His Chronically I
Review: I have fibromyalgia and this book brought me to tears at times knowing that my husband is feeling the same way as this author. The stress on the spouses is enormous, I found this book hard to put down because "we" are living it!! It does leave you with the feeling that "the Intruder" in anyone's life is unwelcome..a true pain...but that love and determination can see you through!! I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond Chaos: One Man's Journey Alongside His Chronically I
Review: I read an excerpt from this book in a magazine, and knew that I had to buy this book. Mr. Piburn has written a brilliant book about what can happen when fibromyalgia, a very misunderstood and mis-diagnosed disease, enters your family. Fibromyalgia can destroy a family -- I've seen it all too often.Mr. Piburn's journey has been a difficult one, and I applaud him for writing this book. I think that this book is useful not just for fibro families, but for anyone who has a loved one suffering from a chronic condition or disease. I cannot think of enough superlatives to describe this book -- you will have to read it for yourself to find out. Thank you, Mr. Piburn, for being so honest and brave enough to write this book. And, also to the Piburn family. I am going to recommend this book at my next support group meeting.
Rating:
Summary: Not just for fibro families, but for everybody
Review: I read an excerpt from this book in a magazine, and knew that I had to buy this book. Mr. Piburn has written a brilliant book about what can happen when fibromyalgia, a very misunderstood and mis-diagnosed disease, enters your family. Fibromyalgia can destroy a family -- I've seen it all too often. Mr. Piburn's journey has been a difficult one, and I applaud him for writing this book. I think that this book is useful not just for fibro families, but for anyone who has a loved one suffering from a chronic condition or disease. I cannot think of enough superlatives to describe this book -- you will have to read it for yourself to find out. Thank you, Mr. Piburn, for being so honest and brave enough to write this book. And, also to the Piburn family. I am going to recommend this book at my next support group meeting.
Rating: 
Summary: A healthy man writes about dealing with a wife's illness.
Review: In the 1970s I bought my vibrant wife running shoes and cross-country skis. In the 1980s I bought my chronically ill wife a recliner chair and cordless phone. Countless books describe diseases and illnesses that affect millions of people. But not much has been written -- especially from the male perspective -- about the emotions and challenges and losses of those healthy people impacted by the illnesses of loved ones. Society says in subtle and not-so-subtle ways that the healthy loved ones should stay quiet, hold down the fort, be a martyr, keep a stiff upper lip and keep a lid on your emotions. Imagine a happy-face head perched on John Wayne's body. Perhaps that is why approximately 75% of marriages in which one partner is chronically ill end in divorce. My book -- written for those who are ill and the people who love them -- presents a different approach, one in which everyone impacted by chronic illness is open, honest and bold. When that happens, chronic illness becomes a catalyst for personal and relational growth rather than a harbinger of a break up. This is not a typical self-help book that promotes a few simple steps en route to a fairy-tale ending. "Beyond Chaos" is rough and wild, consisting of more than 60 personal essays describing my journey through the relational phases of pseudo-community, chaos, emptiness and community in handling my wife's ongoing illness. Readers will see how I blew it at times but also grew stronger and wiser through our trials and my errors. I also include "action pages" that help readers reflect, plan and act. Essay topics include sex, finances, the medical maze, buddies, grief and growth, with a dose of humor thrown in at times. One of my goals is to show readers -- especially men -- that vulnerability is a sign of strength rather than weakness. I also hope the book provides insight and hope.
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