Imagine losing part of your brain. Corrective brain surgery for overcoming epilepsy is chronicled. Courage, hope and faith are featured. Details of information that doctors omit are examined. Family life for extended families dealing with seizures is revealed.
"Hope is ours if we will take it and believe." c.Sawyer
FACING ME is the author's personal testimony of hope and restoration following corrective brain surgery. It is the story of medical and emotional courage as a lifelong history with epilepsy is overcome. Seizure confinement evaporates. Self-discovery unfolds through a series of miracles, all unsuspected by the author.
Facing Me portrays rising to new life with restoration out of calamity and death. Hope is characteristic of the transformation the author received through the events. Biblical scripture is used throughout the text as God paves the way to restoration in life.
Excerpt
THEME: "HOPE is ours is we will take it and believe."
"There was never the remotest possibility in my mind that I could ever understand, much less attain, a lifestyle free from the bondage of regular seizure invasion. I did not realize I was consumed in an ill mindset. Hope did not exist for me." Ch. 1
"But I couldn't quench the pull I felt deeply inside. Never had I felt this way with such a burning desire...Then, one day His truth came to me like lightening...
"Open the right doors." And that's just what He began to do."" Chapter 18
Professional Reviews
Essential Reading
January 19, 2005
Facing Me is the story of Stephanie S. Sawyer's struggle with epilepsy, a medical condition that takes many forms. Stephanie struggles with daily seizures that leave her feeling disoriented, humiliated and depressed. While she struggles to hold her world together, she starts to have a spiritual awakening that gives her the strength she needs to endure societal pressures and being fired from her job.
During a time in her life when she needs the most support, she endures misunderstanding, a lack of support from her community and overwhelming nights of the soul. After undergoing surgery she has new challenges, unexpected surges in her creativity and entire new worlds to explore. She is mentally unprepared for all the changes that start to occur, and as the seizures disappear, an overwhelming depression threatens to undermine all her previous efforts at healing.
Will her faith in God give her the strength she needs to overcome her fear and discouragement? Will the surgery be a success and will she be able to live a fulfilling existence and find hope in a seemingly hopeless situation?
Stephanie S. Sawyer's story is fascinating because she reveals many aspects about epilepsy that are essential for understanding the fear, struggles and discouragement this invasive challenge presents. Stephanie's writing is vivid, inspiring and informative.
Since 181,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed each year and ten percent of the American population will experience a seizure in their lifetime, this book is essential reading.
TheRebeccaReview.com
Midwest Book Review
February 2, 2003
"If this book does not inspire you, than nothing will. And I don't mean strictly Christian inspiration, aothough it is that too. This is an amazing first person story.
From childhood, the author struggled with epilepsy of the petit mal type. It was a bleak existence for a child, with little support or understanding from family or peers. She grew up thinking epilepsy was a shameful thing, a condition to hide, one that made her past, present, and future hopeless. Doctors medicated her, sometimes to the point of toxicity, and told her there was nothing they could do. Not until college years when she met her future husband did Stephanie feel safe, loved, and accepted.
Despite her husband's love and support, life does not get easier. Her study and love for music is put on hold. Children come along, financial worries threaten. And through it all, the spectre of "seizure invasion" looms, to strike with regularity. When she meets a special doctor with a positive persona, her life is changed. Surgery turns out to be the godsend he has promised it would be in her case.
Life looks brighter for awhile, despite setbacks. The blessing of a nurturing mentor with a can do attitude leads the author back to the music she always loved. She resurrects her musical artistry and pours it into passion borne in pain.
FACING ME documents one woman's trials, defeats, and triumphs with painful honesty. If you struggle with epilepsy, or know someone who does, I recommend you read this book. Or if you simply enjoy well written non-fiction, give FACING ME a try."
by Laurel Johnson, MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
Journey in Faith and Restoration
December 30, 2002
Ms. Sawyer states that her story is "a journey in faith and restoration." I found this message woven throughout the book, even in the darkest times of her life. She does a good job of communicating the integration of the skills and knowledge of the physicians who attended to her with her personal faith in a great and loving God. It is clear that Ms. Sawyer wants the reader to know that she is grateful to both.
This book is written in a very easy to read style, and the reader will find himself or herself journeying along with Ms. Sawyer. I would recommend this book to anyone facing major medical struggles and in need of encouragement in their faith. Thank you, Stephanie, for allowing us the privilege of seeing your struggles. The truth you have communicated has truly set you free. Frank E. Bowers, Ph.D.
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Reviews for "FACING ME: Breaking the Bonds of Seizure Confinement"
Stephanie, Yes, you are brave to tell your own story of your wonderful healing. This book sounds very interesting & inspirational & I can't wait to read it either. You've come a long ways & I know the Lord will use you to reach the lost ones of this world. Thank you for sharing how your struggles were overcome. God richly bless you & your Family.
Love in Christ, Lynn Roehl
Reviewed by Debra Stiles, The Original Mister
1/15/2005
Delight yourself in the lord and he will give you the desires of your heart..Proverbs
Sounds like a wonderful story of the grace and love of God.
Restoration is a wonderous Journey. Sounds a lot like an adventure of mine one which I would not have missed. "Unconditional Love"
Wishing you just enough of everything
Mister
Reviewed by Mike Henle
7/21/2004
Facing Me is one of those books that you cannot start without finishing. If you put it down to go to sleep, the first thing you’ll do in the morning is pick it up again.
Even if you’re not much of a book reader, you’ll find yourself clutching Facing Me, which details Stephanie Sawyer’s personal struggle with Epilepsy. She displays incredible courage dealing with the disorder, the brain surgery she endured and the post-operative experiences that followed.
Epilepsy is a frightening disorder. It strikes anytime and anyplace. It can leave you exhausted and embarrassed and its threat is something the epileptic never forgets. The epileptic is on-guard every minute of every day attempting to hide a constant concern.
But in spite of the never-ending challenges, the author never gives up. She maintains a positive attitude, refuses to give up and has brain surgery. With the surgery comes depression, a dark and frightening ordeal when the simplest task can be overwhelming.
Five years after the surgery – just as Stephanie was certain her seizure disorder was gone for good – she had another seizure. The thought of another seizure after certain victory had to be devastating, but Stephanie didn’t give up. She continued to share her musical talents, graduated from Moores School of Music in 1999 and has proven an incredible inspiration.
I know about Epilepsy and I also know about the surgery. I, too, suffered from the disorder and had the same surgery as Stephanie. That said, I can say first-hand that Facing Me is a phenomenal book written by a spirited and courageous person who has refused to give up against all odds.
Mike Henle, author
Reviewed by Mary Erickson
9/23/2003
I think everyone at times feels inadequate, but to have had to overcome the stigma that this woman faced as a child and into adulthood, gave me a new insight into how much prejudice hurts. That she should have triumphed over this thing, which was so shameful her own family refused to name it, hiding it and her away until she could be "normal" again, gives hope to all who suffer from being "different," whether it's because of some physical or emotional impairment. Not only has the author overcome her epilepsy, she has used her experience to become the remarkable woman she is today.
Reviewed by Dennis Beaudry
7/7/2003
I have completed reading Facing Me and I knew all along I would be blown away with not only what you went through to get to where you are, but that I praise God for His love for you, His care of you, His presence with you and His guidance with you prompting you to write the book. But in a larger sense, it seems to me to be only natural to want to tell the world about how faithful God is and how blessed we are when we trust Him completely (and that included trusting those He places on our path). If you had never been delivered from so great a situation what would there be to write about? If you had not "drug the dregs" what good would it be to see the mountain top, let alone get there? And who would ever want a life without the valleys because there would be nothing to rise to?
You put me right there in your house, your life, your heart as I read and pictured myself a visitor in your turmoil, stress and heartache. And you put me right there with you to share your triumph. Though ever so slight in comparison, I felt a small sample of your emotional roller coaster and I am amazed at your, how did you say it, tenacity, determination and perseverance -- almost as if you knew it was going to come out the way it did.
I am certainly thrilled I got to read it and that I, in a small way, know the actual person about whom I read.
As I read "Facing Me," I was very much caught up in Stephanie Sawyer's humble nature. It is encouraging to see that she is so willing to share very personal encounters. In so doing "Facing Me" aids the reader in feeling her pain amidst her struggles. Me, being touched and tested by disease, I was indeed motivated as I witnessed Stephanie Sawyer's relentless spirit. I was equally inspired to observe that Ms.Sawyer has a deep-seated faith in The Almighty. This surely was an added incentive on a journey of survival. I also found "Facing Me" to be very informative regarding Episepsy. Being in touch daily by a Neurolgical Disease, I could relate to many of her emotions as well as symptoms.
Stephanie Sawyer and I are so alike in many ways. Her love for music also aroused my attention. Anyone who appreciates music would understand how it helped her throughout her fight. I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking a reason to celebrate life. "Facing Me" affirms my belief that battles can be won when God is in it!
The Rebecca Review:Essential Reading
(A Top Amazon Reviewer)
January 19, 2005
Facing Me is the story of Stephanie S. Sawyer's struggle with epilepsy, a medical condition that takes many forms. Stephanie struggles with daily seizures that leave her feeling disoriented, humiliated and depressed. While she struggles to hold her world together, she starts to have a spiritual awakening that gives her the strength she needs to endure societal pressures and being fired from her job.
During a time in her life when she needs the most support, she endures misunderstanding, a lack of support from her community and overwhelming nights of the soul. After undergoing surgery she has new challenges, unexpected surges in her creativity and entire new worlds to explore. She is mentally unprepared for all the changes that start to occur, and as the seizures disappear, an overwhelming depression threatens to undermine all her previous efforts at healing.
Will her faith in God give her the strength she needs to overcome her fear and discouragement? Will the surgery be a success and will she be able to live a fulfilling existence and find hope in a seemingly hopeless situation?
Stephanie S. Sawyer's story is fascinating because she reveals many aspects about epilepsy that are essential for understanding the fear, struggles and discouragement this invasive challenge presents. Stephanie's writing is vivid, inspiring and informative.
Since 181,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed each year and ten percent of the American population will experience a seizure in their lifetime, this book is essential reading.
TheRebeccaReview.com
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW, Reviewer: Laurel Johnson
"If this book does not inspire you, nothing will. And I don't mean strictly Christian inspiration, although it is that too. This is an amazing first person story.
From childhood, the author struggled with epilepsy of the petit mal type. It was a bleak existence for a child, with little support or understanding from family and peers. She grew up thinking epilepsy was a shameful thing, a condition to hide, one that made her past, present, and future hopeless. Doctors medicated her, sometimes to the point of toxicity, and told her there was nothing they could do. Not until college years when she met her future husband did Stephanie feel safe, loved, and accepted.
Despite her husband's love and support, life does not get easier. Her study of and love for music is put on hold. Children come along, financial worries threaten. And through it all, the spectre of "seizure invasion" looms, to strike with regularity. When she meets a special doctor with a positive persona, her life is changed. Surgery turns out to be the godsend he has promised it would be in her case.
Life looks brighter for awhile, despite setbacks. The blessing of a nurturing mentor with a can do attitude leads the author back to the music she always loved. She resurrects her musical artistry and pours it into passion borne in pain.
FACING ME documents one woman's trials, defeats, and triumphs with painful honesty. If you struggle with epilepsy, or know someone who does, I recommend you read this book. Or if you simply enjoy well written non-fiction, give FACING ME a try.
Stephanie, I praise God for your great healing. You are an inspiration to all. God is using you to declare His wondrous healing power. I can't wait to read your book, the excerpt is a blessing in itself...Valerie M. Boggess
Reviewed by Sherry Russell BCBT BCETS
1/10/2003
Ms. Sawyer tells her story with gallant integrity. Her book is requisite for people dealing with medical trauma. Her profound description and experiences with epilepsy is effective, easy to read, and well written. So many people need books like Ms. Sawyer’s when living becomes the hardest. Thank you for sharing this to help others and I will highly recommend it often.
Reviewed by Frank E. Bowers, Ph.D.
12/31/2002
Ms. Sawyer states that her story is "a journey in faith and restoration." I found this message woven throughout the book, even in the darkest times of her life. She does a good job of communicating the integration of the skills and knowledge of the pbhysicians who attended her with her personal faith in a great and loving God. It is clear that Ms. Sawyer wants the reader to know that she is grateful to both.
This book is written in a very easy to read style, and the reader will find himself or herself journeying along with Ms. Sawyer. I would recommend this book to anyone facing major medical struggles and in need of encouragement in their faith. Thank you, Stephanie, for allowing us the privelege of seeing your struggles. The truth you have communicated has truly set you free.
This looks like a must-read to me. Authors that tell their own personal stories are very brave. Thank you for sharing this story. So many people are affected by seizures. Your book should serve as a comfort to many.
A beautiful testimony of courage and hope. A message of encouragement for everyone, and a must for those facing crisis of any kind. Thanks, Stephanie, for sharing your story.
Marcyle
Reviewed by Annette DeLore
11/20/2002
This is a book the world has long waited for. Stephanie Sawyer not only tells her story of living with brain trauma, but she is an inspiration and gives hope to other patients and their famlies who deal with a brain trauma. If you know anyone who is living with a brain trauma I highly recommend this book for the patient if possible, but mostly for their familes.
These timeless quotations culled from the celebrated corpus of writings by W.E.B. Du Bois are presented with illuminating introductory essays by Aberjhani. Narration of the Audible book performed by Catherine Byers.
This exceptional book, Celebrating the Gift of Being Alive, has the perfect thoughts and words for birthdays, graduations, engagements, marriages, and any life celebration or family tradition.
