I'm Never Ill: A journey through brain surgery and beyond...

by Mark D. Pritchard

A true account of a man's brain haemorrhage survival. Describing the moment it struck, awaking from a coma, subsequent brain surgery, recovery and back to work. Six months into writing the book, his wife develops cancer. Nurse/patient roles are reversed. This is a life-affirming book of how two people have survived life-threatening illnesses and turned their lives around in positive ways. The author sprinkles the story with his own humour and philosophies that have helped him to remain positive throughout.

180 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2015

About the author

Living and born in Wales. In 2009 I suffered a brain haemorrhage and I've written about my experiences regarding my brain surgery, awaking from a coma, recovery plus much more.

I don't want to give away the ending, but I survived.

Reviews

[Michelle]

Fascinating look into how brain surgery affects one's life. Mark Pritchard's book is about his personal journey enduring and recovering from a brain hemorrhage.

Pritchard takes great care in covering all the details, even the ones he doesn't actually remember (note to self: always keep a journal!). He shares all the little intricate details of the emergency, the worry, the hospital, and his nearly miraculous recovery. It really is a very personal story and he shares it wonderfully, in a friendly and funny sort of way.

There are parts where the topic seems to jump around a bit, but there is a method to his madness. The events are in chronological order and though the segues may seem unorganized, it all comes back together in the next page or so. A mere 15% of the last of the book is dedicated to his wife's ordeal with breast cancer which feels a little lacking.

Pritchard has done a great job telling his story in a light-hearted and life-affirming way. It helps put things into perspective. As a reader from the U.S., it did make me a bit jealous of the U.K.'s National Healthcare system.

[Katy Lee]

Having received this book through a Goodreads giveaway, I was excited to get started - memoirs from well known people and 'normal' people alike are something I very much enjoy when there's an interesting story to be told. I'm Never Ill certainly fitted the bill in this one. It's a heartwarming book written by an individual who is incredibly honest about his journey and really brings the reader into the picture, giving you some perspective on how easily things can change and how every one of us really does need to live for the moment.