WHEATON – Brain aneurysm survivor Janet Sutherland-Madden of Oakbrook Terrace will appear at a signing for her book recounting her remarkable recovery from 1 to 5 p.m. May 5 at Emmett's Brewing Company, 121 W. Front St., Wheaton.
In 2004, the Glen Ellyn native left work early to walk her dog, Bogie, after a tough day knocking door to door selling radio ads, a news release stated. She was suddenly struck with the worst headache of her life. Sutherland had suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm.
On March 22, 2004, as friends and family sat at her bedside, she was given a 3% chance to live. For weeks, her co-workers raised money for her family, joined her battle, and prayed she would survive. Fifteen years later, Sutherland has miraculously recovered.
"Nose Over Toes" tells the story of her recovery and includes research from the Brain Aneurysm Foundation.
Sutherland-Madden has turned her health trauma into a career by lobbying and fundraising for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. She is a former Chicago radio reporter, and was the recipient of AP awards for her breaking news coverage of the Plainfield/Lemont tornado and a Joliet prison escape. Sutherland’s news stories were distributed on ABC News, AP and UPI wire services and aired on at least 75 radio stations in the Midwest.
She also has written and produced cable television public affairs programs, was a feature freelance writer, a sports stringer and worked with the Illinois News Broadcasters Association doing speaking engagements at local colleges. She has been honored by members of Congress for her work in Illinois for brain aneurysm survivor support and awareness initiatives.
The paperback of "Nose Over Toes" was released on the 15th anniversary of her aneurysm, March 22, 2019. It can be ordered at www.eckhartzpress.com.
To read an earlier Suburban Life feature on a children's book she wrote about her journey and the dogs in her life who helped make recovery possible, go to shawurl.com/3b62.