Heavy: Finding Meaning After a Terminal Diagnosis: A Young Family’s First Year with ALS
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“There is pain and suffering in this world, but there is also joy, and not just suffering here and joy there, but suffering and joy in the very same place.”
Has your world gotten heavy? Are you or someone you love facing an unimaginable loss? Is time divided between “before” and “after”?
When Todd Neva saw a neurologist after experiencing weakness in his left arm, he and his wife, Kristin, were blindsided by devastating news: an ALS diagnosis. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that results in total paralysis and eventual death, usually in three to five years.
In Heavy, you’ll find companions in pain and also companions in joy. An ordinary couple with two young children, once looking ahead to a lifetime of dreams together, Todd and Kristin know how heavy life can get. Their honest story, journeying through the first year after Todd’s diagnosis, shares the perspective of both a person with a terminal diagnosis and a spouse. You will take heart for your own journey as this spirited family perseveres to find meaning, hold on to faith, and discover joy in the midst of pain.
9 reviews for Heavy: Finding Meaning After a Terminal Diagnosis: A Young Family’s First Year with ALS
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Cindy_Huff –
Heavy lightens the load for those dealing with terminal illness
Todd and Kristin Neva give readers an honest and at times raw look into the first year of living with ALS. The Neva’s faith has been challenged, and their life has changed drastically since Todd’s diagnosis. ALS has no cure and the end result will be death. Todd and Kristin share how they came to terms with the inevitable and how they choose to respond to it.The first year after a diagnosis of a terminal illness is the most crucial. A wide range of emotions are experienced and figuring out how to cope with all the changes challenges the patient and family on every level. The reader is reminded they are not alone and that it is okay to grieve. The Neva’s experience is a balm to the soul of those going through similar trials. This peek into what they were thinking and feeling during this adjustment period encouraged me to be more proactive in the things that matter most—family and faithI found Kristen’s honesty and venting her anger toward God a breath of fresh air. So often Christians fear they are betraying their faith if they let anyone know they are angry with God. Kristen knew God was big enough to handle all the stages of her grief.Todd’s ability to deal with the practical areas and willingness to let others serve him spoke volumes. I love his honest assessment of each change his body went through. Men will relate to his struggle. As I female reader I got a real education on how a man thinks as his ability to provide for his family and care for himself is slowly stripped away.Even if you aren’t dealing with terminal illness or have a family member that is, you will still benefit from reading their story. Often, outsiders don’t get what it is all about and are ready with pat answers or sappy words. This intimate look at the first year was a revelation for me. I feel a freedom to explore my faith, when in crisis, on a deeper level. This is an encouraging, faith-building read for anyone who is in the midst of crisis or wants to know how to more effectively help those who are.
gardenluver –
Wonderful Book – Touching and Inspirational
I love this story. Easy reading. It is about real people with real life heartaches but yet shows how God can turn that heartache into joy and use all things for good. The book helps us look at a horrible and stressful situation and yet have hope. Thank you Todd and Kristin for putting this out there and helping us find encouragement through your life. God bless you. I recommend this book.
Pcs –
Absolutely amazing!!!
I’m almost finished with this book. I’ve read several books about living and dealing with ALS…but this one is absolutely amazing!!! I’m a caregiver for my husband and really love how this book shares both PALS and CALS perspective. I feel like I’m reading a book written about my own life. It covers all the stages, emotions, and even the spiritual side of my thoughts as well as my frustrations the last 7/8 yrs. I highly recommend this book for whatever stage of ALS you might be experiencing❤️❤️❤️
MaryB –
Well Written & Encouraging
Very well written. My husband has just been given the monster diagnosis of ALS this past summer & it was comforting to read this with him on what to expect the first year. Encouraging for Christ followers. Glad our hope’s not in this life. Now I’m following the authors blog. Heavy is a good title.
Erika Gueli –
Beautifully written and a quick read
I love how this book is laid out with Todd and Kristin each telling their own perspective as they endured, adapted, and grew through the first year with ALS. Chapter 7 where Kristen honestly shares how the anger affected her is noteworthy. “Sometimes swearing feels like the best expression of my anger about our situation. On Sunday, I worshiped in the morning and swore in the afternoon; it did not seem incongruent to me in my situation. I did both with my whole heart.” This book would be a help to anyone touched by serious illness, suffering, or grief.
wayne neva –
Four Stars
good book.
Shopper –
Honest and Inspirational
I love how Todd and Kristen were able to include a bit of humor along with the raw emotions they experienced during the first year of Todd’s diagnosis. Their journey to finding joy through faith, amongst the challenges this disease will continue to inflict on their lives, is inspiring.
ilovetulips –
smiling in sorrow
This book is truly the voice of real life and real people….suffering and grief juxtaposed with laughter and joy. Todd mentions in the book that suffering and joy exist in the very same place, isn’t it so true? I cried, but laughed a lot too enjoying the people and imagery that this book introduced me to. Life is heavy for all of us in different ways, but thankfully, because of Christ, our burdens become lighter.
Katrina –
Kristin has written from the heart, exposing her feelings, fears and triumphs.Telling personal stories is so important.Thank you for being will to share this and offer support to others suffering this horrendous disease.I lost my husband to ALS/MND with FTD and know that there can never be enough support for those suffering through this.