A Stroke of Luck: A Girl's Second Chance at Life

by Juli K. Dixon, Jessica Dixon

At a critical juncture during brain surgery, Alex Dixon, age 12, had a stroke . . . Alex was a normal, bright, and healthy little girl, when the sudden onset of a mysterious illness began to take over her life. Months of physical therapy and medication failed to provide relief from acute pain and muscle spasms. Doctors across the country were at a loss for answers. A last-ditch attempt at treatment-brain surgery-ended up stopping the spasms but with unexpected, dire consequences. A Stroke of Luck is the remarkable true story of a close-knit family that meets challenge after challenge with resilience, hope, and love.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Inspirational, Biography Memoir

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2013

About the author

There is more than one Juli K. Dixon in the Goodreads database. This is Juli K.^ Dixon.

Reviews

[Leslie Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing story of a young girl's struggle with illness and an operation gone wrong, told by her mother. I gained a lot of insight into medical issues by reading this, and I have a lot of admiration for Juli Dixon and her husband for their determination to find answers for their daughter's medical problems.

[Patricia Ibarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of the family made up by Juli and Mark and their two daughters Alex and Jessica. Alex was a normal and energetic girl until she started feeling pain in her back and leg, accompanied by spasms and twisting, slowly losing control of her movements. Nobody could understand what was happening to her. Her parents spared no effort to take her to the best centers, starting a never-ending journey of disappointment and impotence. Many health professionals when faced with something they could not understand, instead of referring them to somebody else immediately blamed Alex for feigning her symptoms to call attention. Finally, she was diagnosed with RSD, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a terrible and disabling disease. After many failed treatments, she had to undergo brain surgery, where she suffered a massive bleeding, affecting her speech and cognition mainly. Halfway through the book I could not understand the desperate struggle of her parents and why they were putting their daughter through so much suffering. However, their efforts proved right, and though extremely difficult, the determination of Alex helped her to slowly improve in many of her disabilities. At the same time, her supporting sister Jessica, could not help feeling neglected as all the attention went to Alex. She explains that she felt like a ghost. A stroke of luck for Alex was her determined character and her unwavering parents, always willing to walk the extra mile.

[Sue Kozlowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very heartwarming and inspiring story - I read it in 2 days. It is a true story of 10-year-old Alex Dixon, told by her mother Juli, a professor of mathematics education in Central Florida.

Alex is like any other 10-year-old girl when she becomes sick with an unknown illness on January 27th, 2008. She contracts pneumonia and she soon is in a great deal of pain. Her foot starts to turn inward and soon she can no longer walk. The doctors are mystified, with some doctors even thinking she is faking her pain!

It is decided that Alex would receive a Deep Brain Stimulator or DBS. A wire would be surgically implanted deep in her brain and a battery would be implanted in her chest. During the surgery, there is an accident and she has a stroke.

What follows Alex's amazing journey to regain control and function of her body. She has an amazing support system of family, doctors, and friends. It is truly inspiring to read of her drive and determination to get better.

[Alexis Dosal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing depiction of a family sticking together despite many tribulations. Juli and Marc are incredible parents that fought through the setbacks together and did not allow their marriage to be shaken. Alex's recovery is incredible and a true testament that with a little faith, anything is possible.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started to drag towards the end

Good balance of facts and personal story. I enjoyed the different perspectives. The occasional switches between past and present tense were a bit distracting. Overall, a book i would recommend, but not quite one I couldn't put down

[Jane Peskara / Audrey Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so heartbreaking but at the same time so wonderful to see Alex go through this....Im glad she is much better now and wish the family all the best for their future. Amazing how they supported each other, every family should be like this....

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible true story of Alex and the illness she went through when Drs did not believe her and her pain levels hit the roof and of the family all coming together to support each other when she had brain surgery and her road to recovery. Brought tears to my eyes on numerous occasions.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story but a little too much detail. After a while, I just her to get on with the story so I could hear the end.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and inspirational!

[Carrie Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story of recovery.

[Kelly Case · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible story. It was hard to read at times about the physical emotional pain that a young girl had to endure- but her determination and never give up attitude is so admirable.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to read this for a class in college. I was sure I wasn't going to like it as it is not something I would have ever picked up on my own, I was wrong. A great book about this young girl's journey.

[Courtney Roy · Rating 2 out of 5]

An amazing and inspirational story, "A Stroke of Luck" allows readers to experience the challenges and triumphs of a family when their eldest daughter is taken seriously ill. Despite all the anguish and confusion felt during such an unplanned journey, it can teach everyone the importance of hope, patience, and determination. As an educator, I was fascinated with the pedagogic and therapeutic methods utilized during the daughter's remission -- rhythms, vocabulary connections, various games/activities, and of course, unwavering motivation -- to encourage independence. As an avid reader of both academic and/or entertaining texts, my only disappointment was the writing style of both the author and co-author. Although it must be noted one is primarily a mathematician while the other a middle-school student, the attempt to use professional terminology combined with very short sentences was unattractive. Nevertheless, I would highly suggest this book to anyone on the basis of it being eye-opening and inspirational. It can truly encourage others to take life day-by-day with a positive outlook.

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught my attention because I wrote a novel with the same title several years ago. This is the true story of a family devastated by the strange illness of their young daughter. The stroke was the result of an accident during brain surgery, but it's possible it actually saved her life by killing the part of the brain that was causing her original problems.

I admire the tenacity of the mother/author in caring and advocating for her daughter. I couldn't help but feel sorry that they apparently had no power outside themselves to rely on in their time of need. The characters seemed to be grouped into three categories: superheroes (the sick daughter, the tenacious mother, the pediatrician, and the neurosurgeon), heroes (the father who came across as caring but weak, other family members, teachers, and classmates), and villains (most of the rest of the medical community).

The journey the family traveled in trying to identify and treat this mysterious condition was intriguing, and their strength and love through the ordeal was encouraging.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of resilience, strength and a mother's love. What this little girl and her family went through is unbelievable. It is a frightening look at what happens when everything that can go wrong in a medical context does go wrong. As an educator, I found the path to Alex's academic recovery fascinating. The methods her mother employs to re teach her daughter literally everything just reinforces why "best teaching practices" are, indeed "best". The insights into brain function, how we learn and brain healing Juli presents are profound. As a mother, I found Juli's story heartbreaking and inspiring. Juli Dixon is truly a powerful "Momma Bear" or perhaps Momma Warrior is a better word. I have no doubt that without Juli's constant support and intervention with the medical professionals involved this story would have had a far different and tragic ending.

[Rosie Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about a lot of people

I downloaded this book many months ago, did not read it and forgot about it. I "found" it and completely forgot who wrote it until Julie described what her work entails. Julie and I have a colleague in common and the rediscovery took me by surprise. I read this book on a weekend and was struck by the strength this family has--all of them. The love they have that got them through all of the many hours, days, nights, weeks and months. Family came, no questions asked, but showed up with help. I was enthralled by the details and could not put this book down. I did not cry until the very end when Julie asked who the book was for. I believe this book was for and about the Dixon family, but I also believe it was for all of us who have read it. There is a little bit of all of us in each member of this amazing family.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Stroke of Luck: A Girl's Second Chance at Life, gripped me from the very beginning to the very end. I chose to read it because, being physically disabled myself, I like reading books about medical issues so I purchased the Kindle version.
Alex's story is clearly and honestly told by her mother, Juli Dixon, although through the story some parts are told through different family members' perspectives, as they email each other regarding Alex's progress during hospital stays caused by the illness she goes through, which is later found out to be RSD Relfex Sympathetic Dystrophy) she also has terrible muscle spasms. Then, at just 12 years of age, she undergoes major brain surgery and suffers a stroke. Read more of my review at myreadingparadise.wordpress.com

[Angel **Book Junkie** · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I do not read non-fiction books but during a recent challenge I read this book. It was absolutely amazing. It touched on every portion of my heart and had me sitting in the floor crying uncontrollably at times. It was amazing read and an amazing story. It was brilliant and I have to say that every person who fears losing a loved one to an illness should read this book and watch the journey of how to handle and continue the journey.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know how to rate this book. The first half was written so well, I couldn't put it down. The second half seemed to be written by an entirely different person. Perhaps the life changing events in the book, a daughters undiagnosed medical condition and near death experience, did change the author so much so that she was very different by the time the book ended. The second half of the book was just a rant about how inconsiderate everyone in the world without a disability is.

[Liz Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This inspired me so much. As someone who also went through a lot of medical problems as a child ( so not as severe as hers) I felt that looking a mother's view of a daughter's medical problems and the love and support a mother could give a child had me in tears at one point. A must read for everyone on the planet.

[Jessica Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touches your heart and changes your perspective on living life. With this book about overcoming obstacles and uniting as a family, I am inspired to (as cheesy as it sounds) never give up and live life to the fullest.

[★Ashli★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

P10

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing, inspiring, and worthwhile

This book turned out to be one I did not want to put down. Makes my own problems shrink by comparison.

[Jean Mader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family story, with a positive message

[Regina Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful lesson on how to be an advocate in a medical setting.

[Debbie S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational story!