What do you think?
Rate this book
Breathless: How a Broken Jaw Saved My Life
A new dad in his early 40s, Steve Volk was on the verge of a personal and professional crisis. He was depressed, overweight, and struggling to handle his responsibilities as a husband and father. After undergoing a sleep study, Volk was diagnosed with sleep apnea, a medical condition that afflicts tens of millions, though roughly 80 percent go undiagnosed. For people with sleep apnea — a sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep, depriving the brain and body of oxygen — the effects are serious, even deadly.
Volk’s doctor explained the grave danger he was in — so oxygen deprived that he could die any night. Unable to secure a life insurance policy because of his condition, and facing a full-fledged break down, Volk determined to do something about it.
In Breathless , the acclaimed author of Fringe-ology brings readers along on his quest save his family — and his life. When a radical new surgery offers a cure, Volk must decide whether the chance for a better life outweighs the risks and the strain such a procedure could have on the people he cares about most. Harrowing, intimate, and illuminating, Breathless offers an unprecedented look at one man's desperate journey to overcome a once-chronic diagnosis.
Steve Volk is a journalist, author and TV personality, with a book How I Tried to Explain Away the Unexplainable—But Couldn't , and an upcoming History Channel show, “The Dark Files.” Volk is a contributing editor at Discover magazine, and lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife and twin sons.
Volk’s doctor explained the grave danger he was in — so oxygen deprived that he could die any night. Unable to secure a life insurance policy because of his condition, and facing a full-fledged break down, Volk determined to do something about it.
In Breathless , the acclaimed author of Fringe-ology brings readers along on his quest save his family — and his life. When a radical new surgery offers a cure, Volk must decide whether the chance for a better life outweighs the risks and the strain such a procedure could have on the people he cares about most. Harrowing, intimate, and illuminating, Breathless offers an unprecedented look at one man's desperate journey to overcome a once-chronic diagnosis.
Steve Volk is a journalist, author and TV personality, with a book How I Tried to Explain Away the Unexplainable—But Couldn't , and an upcoming History Channel show, “The Dark Files.” Volk is a contributing editor at Discover magazine, and lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife and twin sons.
- GenresNonfiction
42 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2017
80 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Steve Volk
8 books18 followersI currently live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where I've worked for the last 10 years as a journalist covering the courts, crime, cops, politics, and lots of human interest features. Like a lot of journalists, I backslid into reporting after a brief, furtive attempt to write a novel. In literary nonfiction, however, I found a way to satisfy my urge to write creatively without going through the messy business of imagining all the details. The great personal lesson for me in reporting is that everyone really does have a great story to tell, and I've yet to meet anyone—whether hero or villain—who hasn't done the best they could, from moment to moment. Sometimes, we are simply found wanting. And other times, we rise above any reasonable expectation people might have for us. In sum, I find working in journalism to be a tremendous honor. People entrust me with the most intimate details of their lives. It's up to me to render their story in a way that does justice to it.
I married my wife, Lisa, in June 2010, after a five-year courtship.
I worked as an editor and senior writer during a stint with Philadelphia Weekly, from 2002 to 2007. Then I left for a position at Philadelphia Magazine in July 2007, went on leave to write the book Fringe-ology: How I Tried to Explain Away the Unexplainable-And Couldn't, and will begin there again in July 2011.
I married my wife, Lisa, in June 2010, after a five-year courtship.
I worked as an editor and senior writer during a stint with Philadelphia Weekly, from 2002 to 2007. Then I left for a position at Philadelphia Magazine in July 2007, went on leave to write the book Fringe-ology: How I Tried to Explain Away the Unexplainable-And Couldn't, and will begin there again in July 2011.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 25, 2017
I suffer from sleep apnea. I took the sleep test at a sleep clinic and it was horrible. I was wired to all these machines and had to sleep on my back, which is painful. After the test, and I found out how severe my apnea was, I got a CPAP. Try sleeping with a catcher's mitt on your face, with a loud machine whirring in your ears. Whoever decided this was conducive to a good night's sleep is delusional. I threw the CPAP in the back of the closet and took sleeping pills to help me sleep.
When I read the description on Steve Volk's book, I was intrigued. (A strong title gets you noticed!)
Volk suffered from sleep apnea for a long time, and his was so severe there was a good chance he'd die at a rather young age. He heard of a procedure where the lower jaw is broken and realigned to jut out, thus opening up the airway. After the procedure, his mouth was wired shut.
This is an interesting read, especially for medical fans and of course, people looking for an alternative to the CPAP. It's not easy and Volk is very honest and graphic on how he felt before and during his recovery.
When I read the description on Steve Volk's book, I was intrigued. (A strong title gets you noticed!)
Volk suffered from sleep apnea for a long time, and his was so severe there was a good chance he'd die at a rather young age. He heard of a procedure where the lower jaw is broken and realigned to jut out, thus opening up the airway. After the procedure, his mouth was wired shut.
This is an interesting read, especially for medical fans and of course, people looking for an alternative to the CPAP. It's not easy and Volk is very honest and graphic on how he felt before and during his recovery.
July 16, 2017
Engrossing
Great read. Although I don't share apnea with the author I did share some similar symptoms, especially the exhaustion from lack of oxygen, due to a hole in my heart that was untreated for 47 years. finally, 3.5 months after heart surgery I am feeling human again.It has been such an odd feeling to wake up rested, to have energy, to not feel like I need to sleep all day. So happy for him and his successful surgery. Oxygen is underrated!!!
Great read. Although I don't share apnea with the author I did share some similar symptoms, especially the exhaustion from lack of oxygen, due to a hole in my heart that was untreated for 47 years. finally, 3.5 months after heart surgery I am feeling human again.It has been such an odd feeling to wake up rested, to have energy, to not feel like I need to sleep all day. So happy for him and his successful surgery. Oxygen is underrated!!!
August 8, 2017
Amazing!
Once I started this book, I didn't stop reading until I reached the end. I only wanted to know what would happen next until his story was complete.
Once I started this book, I didn't stop reading until I reached the end. I only wanted to know what would happen next until his story was complete.
September 12, 2017
Very informative
I just wanna thank this guy for writing this book. Could definitely save a life or three!!! I'll be sharing what I learned from this book.
I just wanna thank this guy for writing this book. Could definitely save a life or three!!! I'll be sharing what I learned from this book.
August 3, 2017
I have sleep apnea also, although it is not nearly as severe as Steve Volks. I am concerned at the statistics of people having heart attacks and dying of it. Steve's narrative contains facts about sleep apnea but presents in inside his story so it isn't boring. I raced through the book because it was so compelling. I don't know how much it would appeal to someone who has sleep apnea although I would definitely recommend it.
To those who were diagnosed and given a full mask I would give it another try. I am claustrophobic and the full mask offered quite a challenge. I conquered it with starting out slow and increasing the quantity of time using it. At first, I had to wait until I was just dropping off to sleep and then put the mask on. When that didn't work I would wait until I awoke sometime in the night and put it on. Both of these methods capitalized on the very sleepy state you are in. Even if you can only have the mask on for ten minutes, do that and try to increase the time in little bits at a time. I have taught many people this and it has helped them. I hope it helps you.
To those who were diagnosed and given a full mask I would give it another try. I am claustrophobic and the full mask offered quite a challenge. I conquered it with starting out slow and increasing the quantity of time using it. At first, I had to wait until I was just dropping off to sleep and then put the mask on. When that didn't work I would wait until I awoke sometime in the night and put it on. Both of these methods capitalized on the very sleepy state you are in. Even if you can only have the mask on for ten minutes, do that and try to increase the time in little bits at a time. I have taught many people this and it has helped them. I hope it helps you.
October 7, 2017
I read this book while waiting on the results of my husband's sleep study to come in. He's always been a snorer but it seems to be getting worse over the years so the whole wired up, overnight stay was the best option to find out if he may have any sleeping or breathing disorders.
This book was a real eye opener as to some of the options available to those who suffer from various forms of the deadly sleep apnea, from the well known CPAP machine right through to the very radical surgery which the author undertook in his quest to return to a normal life not plagued by the many and varied repercussions of severe sleep apnea.
Its a quick read but there is plenty of information on different treatment options to get someone started on their health journey, and for those following his path and having the surgery done there is a wealth of information on his research and recovery process.
It's an interesting read for anyone, but especially those like us who await information from a sleep test and who may need to make similar decisions to the author.
This book was a real eye opener as to some of the options available to those who suffer from various forms of the deadly sleep apnea, from the well known CPAP machine right through to the very radical surgery which the author undertook in his quest to return to a normal life not plagued by the many and varied repercussions of severe sleep apnea.
Its a quick read but there is plenty of information on different treatment options to get someone started on their health journey, and for those following his path and having the surgery done there is a wealth of information on his research and recovery process.
It's an interesting read for anyone, but especially those like us who await information from a sleep test and who may need to make similar decisions to the author.
October 5, 2017
My sleep apnea is as severe as the author's was in the beginning of his ordeal. I have had this for over 20 years now and the sleep test is a horrible thing to go through but it diagnosed me and saved my life. The machine i used was huge and loud, and the mask was huge and ill fitting and I wanted to stop wearing it many times. I didn't. I wanted to live more than comfort. Now the machine is virtually silent and the masks are better than ever and the surgery Volk mentions in the beginning, the UPPP was never a good solution.
Volk's ordeal seemed to be something out of this world. To willingly break your jaw and have it wired seems so extreme, I know I would never do that. His story was compelling and quite in depth, I did enjoy the story but found his lack of willingness to try to get used to the machine like many others just boggles my mind. I guess you have to do what best suites you. In any rate a compelling and well written piece.
Volk's ordeal seemed to be something out of this world. To willingly break your jaw and have it wired seems so extreme, I know I would never do that. His story was compelling and quite in depth, I did enjoy the story but found his lack of willingness to try to get used to the machine like many others just boggles my mind. I guess you have to do what best suites you. In any rate a compelling and well written piece.
November 16, 2017
The book was an interesting read for anyone with sleep apnea. However, this is one person's experience. His situation and choice to pursue this surgery puts him in the minority. There are many other options to explore before undertaking such a drastic measure.
April 5, 2018
Intense
Short, graphic, and to the point this book is a personal journey of healing. Spiritually and physically we are lead through his jaw breaking and recovery. A wake up call for all those with apnea!
Short, graphic, and to the point this book is a personal journey of healing. Spiritually and physically we are lead through his jaw breaking and recovery. A wake up call for all those with apnea!
December 30, 2018
Amazing!
My husband suffers from sleep apnea and this book explains a lot as to why he is the way he is. Unfortunately we don't have the money for this surgery but it brings me immense joy that it can transform others lives! A great read.
My husband suffers from sleep apnea and this book explains a lot as to why he is the way he is. Unfortunately we don't have the money for this surgery but it brings me immense joy that it can transform others lives! A great read.
January 7, 2019
Light at the end of the tunnel...
A great personal account of choosing (one’s own) life and taking an unusual risk to have a better one. A real person’s experience as opposed to medical and scientific literature on a “cure” for sleep apnea.
A great personal account of choosing (one’s own) life and taking an unusual risk to have a better one. A real person’s experience as opposed to medical and scientific literature on a “cure” for sleep apnea.
July 24, 2017
Sleep Apnea Cure- amazing story
A dramatic and real life journey of a man with little hope of a normal lifespan. Very inspiring. Happy ending!
A dramatic and real life journey of a man with little hope of a normal lifespan. Very inspiring. Happy ending!
August 12, 2017
Easy inspiring read
Well written. Thorough but not too technical. Most of all, a happy ending that inspires me to consider if I have sleep apnea. Thank you.
Well written. Thorough but not too technical. Most of all, a happy ending that inspires me to consider if I have sleep apnea. Thank you.
December 17, 2017
Great
Mind blowing and eye opening. This personal experience is well described and balanced. Yet it is a short book which makes all necessary points.
Mind blowing and eye opening. This personal experience is well described and balanced. Yet it is a short book which makes all necessary points.
March 19, 2019
Brilliant ....a journey I need to travel down ...an experience...I must make ..to experience the joy of breath ...some take for granted
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2017
About halfway through the book, I realized: this is written by a narcissist! Yes, yes, I know you think MMA is great and it changed your life, but this is not really about a "broken jaw" saving your life.
Good thing these Kindle Singles are written at 3rd grade reading level and can be skimmed through quickly.
Good thing these Kindle Singles are written at 3rd grade reading level and can be skimmed through quickly.
June 24, 2017
it was just ok...
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews