Esmeralda Santiago

I had a stroke three years ago and was fortunate to have time on my side. My gait was affected and I went through rehab to correct this. My vision was also affected, and when I purchased an iPad to help me read, my first book was Tolstoy's War and Peace.

I read intensively and extensively and write, sketch, and dazzle with photography. My heart goes out to this novelist. May she continue her journey! ("Hitting the Books," August/September 2014) - Richard Martin, San Diego, CA

Trigeminal Neuralgia

My mother really enjoyed reading your article in the August/September 2014 issue regarding trigeminal neuralgia. She has had this condition for four years. She is 83 years old and takes about 500 mg of Neurontin (Gabapentin) daily. The medicine leaves her loopy and extremely fatigued, and it is getting progressively worse. Her doctor mentioned gamma knife surgery. Will this bring her relief? - Gabriella Simon

I recently read your article in the August/September 2014 issue regarding trigeminal neuralgia. I am an 86-year-old female with TN. I was finally diagnosed about seven years ago. What type of surgery exists for TN, and when does a TN patient consider surgery? - Reta Rezinas

THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you both for your questions. We recently covered surgery for TN, including gamma knife surgery, in the article "Facing Pain."

For the Caregiver

"It Takes a Team" from the August/September 2014 issue is missing a team member, a chaplain.

As a board-certified chaplain, I am trained to encourage people to identify and take care of their own needs, help people connect with their inner strength and explore and give voice to their feelings, accompany them into uncomfortable places so they can deal with spiritual angst, and reflect with them on the path that lies ahead. I am also the only team member who is professionally trained to deal with guilt and shame, feelings that may arise during this stressful time.

Most hospitals have chaplains in-house or can refer patients to clergy, and all hospice patients are offered a spiritual care counselor as part of their caregiving team.

Please encourage newfound caregivers to avail themselves of this valuable resource. Aside from doctors, they are one of the most highly trained members of the caregiver team. - Connie Regener, MA, MDiv, BCC