Halo Found Hope by Helo Matzelle

This is a very encouraging story of one woman's faith when life took a terrifying turn.

In 2011, Helo (pronounced Halo) experienced a 50% hearing loss in one ear. An MRI revealed a rare condition. A tumor had wrapped around the carotid artery in her brain. She takes us through the diagnosis and the preparation for surgery. She would be a week in the hospital. In the 29 years this neurosurgeon had been in practice, only one person had had to be in the hospital longer.

Although the surgery was a total success, Helo had complications and her brain swelled. Near death, emergency techniques were used. Ice sheets cooled her to reduce the swelling. Finally, eight weeks after the surgery, Helo was allowed to go home.

She had hours of therapy daily and had to relearn a great deal. It took her a year to finally get her driver's license. Even now, half of her face is still numb and she experiences short term memory loss and exhaustion.

How can such a story be encouraging? Helo shares how her faith made all the difference in her experience. She tells us the spiritual lessons she learned from her trial. She relates how priorities change when you have a potentially life threatening condition. She also shares how she has been able to minister to others because of her ordeal. Even today, she chooses not to complain – no complaining allowed in her family.

Helo's is a great story. Although it was painful for her to go through her medical data to be able to tell her story, I am so glad she did. Her story is an encouragement for anyone going through a life threatening trial. No matter the situation, God is with you.

You can watch a book trailer here.

I am taking part in a blog tour of this book. You can read other reviews here.

Helo Matzelle is happily married and the devoted mother of three children. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Washington in 1986. She is a dedicated advocate of the National Brain Tumor Society. Helo remains passionate about inspiring others to seek the One in whom true hope is always found. She and her family live in Redmond, Washington. You can find out more at http://halofoundhope.com/.

Dog Ear Publishing, 228 pages. Purchase a copy here.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Litfuse for the purpose of an independent and honest review.