Life on the Reflux Roller Coaster: Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease In Infants And Children

By Roni MacLean

Imagine a pain so great as to make one ignore nature s greatest driving force survival. A pain so great, babies all over the world are choosing to starve in an attempt to avoid what they believe to be... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1413708331
• ISBN13: 9781413708332
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Publishamerica Inc
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

More people need to know about this book and this disease!

I wish I never would have been able to relate to this book, but when my son was born with reflux, finding Roni's website and ultimately reading her story helped save my sanity and get better treatment for my son through education. My son is expected to be one of the "lucky ones" who will *outgrow* his GERD by his first birthday. If only Shae-Lynne could have had that good fortune. But, if you can attribute a "reason" to a child being subjected to such horrors FROM BIRTH INTO CHILDHOOD, it MUST be so that her amazing mother and grandmother would become motivated to share their story and hopefully help others in similar situations. Having a sick child is a very alienating experience and learning that you ARE NOT ALONE is priceless. I can't thank them enough for writing this inspirational, informative and heart-wrenching book. Now we just need to get more people educated about reflux/GERD (far more than "just heartburn") and find a CURE, so that there will never be another "Shae-Lynne Story".

Amazing!

Roni and Jean have done an amazing job of telling their story and spreading the word about infant GERD. Your heart will ache for Shae-Lynn as she struggles to eat and grow, and you will triumph at the spirit of these women. The book has wonderful information about GERD and is written is a way that even a tired parent can understand. My son was diagnosed with reflux at 4 weeks of age and I found Roni's online community as I was searching for answers. I later purchased her book and am glad I did!

Excellent Book about Infant Reflux

My baby was born with infant GERD (commonly called reflux) 15 months ago. It was the most lonely, stressful, exhausting, and overwhelming time in our lives. No one can fully understand the crisis of infant GERD unless you've lived through it. At that time, there were very few resources out there to help us through our journey with GERD. When we finally got out of our reflux hell, I started researching infant GERD to see how I could help other families - I never wanted another reflux family to feel as alone as we did. I stumbled upon Roni and Jean's book and could not believe my eyes. FINALLY, someone was bringing attention to this heartbreaking and unfair illness. The authors of Life on the Reflux Roller Coaster do an extraordinary job of both explaining GERD/symptoms/treatments as well as telling a very personal and emotional story of overcoming enormous challenges with grace and love. The medical information is given in terminology and with explanations that everyone can understand - but that don't demean your intelligence. The personal story gives you hope that you too can make it through the struggle of infant GERD and bring your baby some relief. It also helps you learn the importance of being your child's advocate and helps you remember to trust your own gut and instincts as parents almost always know when something is wrong - despite what testing and doctors may say. If your family is struggling with infant GERD, read this book! It will make you feel so much better - just in the fact that others are going through exactly what you are going through, and that your emotions and feelings are not only not "crazy" - but are actually very normal. In addition, consider giving the book to family and friends so they can learn about the condition and hopefully finally understand a little better the overwhelming amount of stress and worry that your family is going through. I highly recommend this book and am SO glad that the authors wrote it. It was high time that someone brought attention to this awful illness/disease and advocated for babies going through so much pain.

Made a Difference in My Life

IT IS FABULOUS! I finished it in 2 days. When I say it is fabulous---I mean the author did an excellent job of articulating the struggles they endured and are still enduring. And, she really did a wonderful job of exposing the realities of reflux. I must have cried more than a dozen times. My heart ached for them. I almost couldn't read some parts of it because it hurt so bad. But, it another way, it was like getting a big hug because it was somehow comforting to read that they have gone through all the emotions that I've had in dealing with my son's doctors and medical decisions. The author is an amazing woman, I truly admire her strength. I really appreciate her sharing her life with me through this book, I really needed to read it. It has truly made a difference for me in dealing with my son's reflux.

Excellent!

It's wonderful! I loved it! Few people can tell such a personal story and not put others to sleep. On the contrary, I was eager to keep reading. It is hard for any outsider to conceive of the stress involved in caring for a child who suffers constant pain from acid reflux. From the moment Shae Lynne was born her symptoms screamed GERD, yet her mother and grandmother had to fight tooth and nail to get her a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. These two Mama Tigers do a wonderful job of showing exactly what life is like for Shae Lynne and those who love her. They understand, but won't accept, that the doctors can't find any answers. They sheathe their claws when talking about the frustration of dealing with doctors whose recommendations often make their precious baby sicker. But their frustration is obvious and overwhelming in the day-to-day account of trying to find help for Shae Lynne. Roni embodies the concept of a good mother who knows her child and trusts her instincts. Roni and Jean deserve Kudos, not only for their incredible dedication to helping Shae Lynne find relief from her pain, but also for sharing their always moving and sometimes hair-raising story with others. A must read for all professionals who come into contact with children who have GERD and their families.Beth Anderson, President/Founder, PAGER (Pediatric/Adoloscent Reflux Association)