First of all, I highly commend Mr. Piburn for having the courage to write his story. Although, the further I got into the book, the more egocentric his style of writing became. I felt like many times he was focusing more on how to say things than sharing what was really going on. When I arrived at the part in the book where he expresses that a man has to ejaculate sometimes, I could no longer read this. It sounded chauvinistic to me. As a female partner of someone with chronic pain, I can only say that I'm sure both sexes have a need to experience the release of orgasm. Maybe the book would be more helpful to a male who is the well spouse.

This is one of the best books on how people cope with Fibro that I have read. This man is honest about how he feels and how he struggles in his role as caretaker of an ill spouse. It helped give me insight into what my husband must go through in helping to keep me sane and well as this illness steals both our lives.

As the husband of a person with chronic illness, I thought I might find some great insight and perspective that might lead me to a different path of thought or feeling. Didn't happen here.

While I agree that to a large part his attitude is great (almost saintly if you ask me) what I really didn't see in this was someone who really, really was real. While it definitely comes from a unique experience for material in this area, it still leans more toward the standard stuff on the subject.

IMHO, if this is the worst reaction(s) he ever had, then I want what he is taking.

Its a good book, if you have a life more Cleaver then Simpson. Unfortunately, most of us live in another world. Thanks Gregg, for writing the book. Guess I'll have to write one myself...

There is more to Beyond Chaos by Gregg Piburn than meets the eye. Billed as "One Man's Journey Alongside His Chronically Ill Wife", it is not just a story of how one couple dealt with the challenges of chronic illness. It is also a guide to improving your communication skills while exploring motives of self and applying your personal growth
to marriage, parenting and other relationships affected by chronic illness. Gregg Piburn is a management consultant by trade and conducts effectiveness and growth seminars for corporate managers and their teams. He has deftly adapted and applied his skills as a corporate coach to personal challenges. In Beyond Chaos, he covers what he refers to as "The Four Phases" of personal growth people must journey through to a higher level: Pseudo Community (Plastic People), Chaos (Angry People), Emptiness (Vunerable People), Community (Real People). Gregg Piburn describes the emotions and reactions belonging to each phase and real life examples that he, his wife Sherrie and their children experienced along the way. This book definitely operates on more than one level and is more than a guide for "caretakers" or an insightful view of the other side of the chronic illness experience for "patients". Gregg Piburn offers the reader an inside look at how chronic illness changed nearly every aspect of his and wife, Sherrie's life together. And he encourages others dealing with chronic illness to think outside the box, drop limiting labels like "caretaker" and "patient" (italics his, not mine) and challenge yourself to move beyond the frustration, anger and guilt. This is a worthwhile read for all human beings wishing to live at a higher level. Honesty, courage, openness and revelation about the relationship between a healthy spouse and a chronically ill spouse grace this book. Gregg Piburn invites you to expand your emotional horizons and soar above your challenges.

I have fibromyalgia and this book brought me to tears at times knowing that my husband is feeling the same way as this author. The stress on the spouses is enormous, I found this book hard to put down because "we" are living it!! It does leave you with the feeling that "the Intruder" in anyone's life is unwelcome..a true pain...but that love and determination can see you through!! I highly recommend this book.