REVIEW: But My Brain Had Other Ideas by Deb Brandon

*Thank you to Netgalley and She Writes Press for an ARC in exchange for a review*

Expected publication: October 10, 2017

When Deb Brandon discovered that cavernous angiomas--tangles of malformed blood vessels in her brain--were behind the terrifying symptoms she'd been experiencing, she underwent one brain surgery. And then another. And then another. And that was just the beginning. 

The book also includes an introduction by Connie Lee, founder and president of the Angioma Alliance. Unlike other memoirs that focus on injury crisis and acute recovery, But My Brain Had Other Ideas follows Brandon's story all the way through to long-term recovery, revealing without sugarcoating or sentimentality Brandon's struggles--and ultimate triumph.

I found Brandon's journey poignant, especially since my father suffered a traumatic brain injury in the summer of 2017.  As a family member, I can relate to much of what she describes during the diagnosis and healing process--the terror, confusion, frustration, rage, and pockets of all too fleeting hope.  Reading Brandon's memoir gives me some insight into what my father may have experience and shows me that our own experience with some neuro-specialists was similar--how can you justify sending someone home who has literally just had major brain surgery?

One criticism for me as a reader what the ebb and flow of the memoir itself.  I remain unsure if the fractured nature of some of the pacing was intentional to mimic the author's recovery or if it was a weakness of editing. This stunted my ability to read without having to take significant breaks.

Overall, while our own family story didn't have the happy ending we'd hoped for, I gained solace through Brandon's ability to share her struggle and her triumph. 

Final rating: 3 out of 5 stars