Books for Empowered Patients
Book Title:
Strategies: A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia JourneyBook Author(s)::
Tami BradyMy Review
Reading Strategies is like having a personal conversation with Tami, who shares the most profound moments of her journey in validating the strengths and challenges of being human. Tami exemplifies the empowered patient, rebuffing the dismissal of medical professionals and taking action to find answers and healing. This incredible journey mirrors the experience of many intelligent people who can probably handle anything -- if they know what it is -- but are kept guessing and waiting, or informed that if no solid diagnosis presents itself, the problem must be psychological. Some medical folks gloss over physical complaints with a dismissive “you’re stressed out” forgetting that the ramifications of stress are more than psychological. The body cannot separate itself from the mind, and stressors trigger poisonous chemicals that can destroy organs and eventually lives. Tami learns how to deal with her symptoms of possibly stress-induced diseases, artfully guiding others toward a process of self-investigation to find ways to live with the incurable.
Tami sensitively and honestly walks readers through a personal archeological dig, accepting physical challenges as a fact of life without judgment, intellectually and spiritually seeing the fallacy of equating illness with weakness. Tami concludes that “the power to heal is through love,” accepting the gift of her illness and how she uses experiences and hard-won knowledge to help others who are walking the same path. There is a transformation as Tami realizes she has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, they do not have her. No matter what the physical, emotional, professional, personal or psychological challenge, readers will appreciate the sheer will and perseverance to make things better. Tami says, “The universe conspired to make me listen,” and she did.
As Tami notes, the key to chronic illness is that there is no cure. Each day faces new struggles; many folks cannot comprehend that symptoms change in severity but never completely go away. “How are you?” is a question answered politely though rarely honestly, because most folks really do not want to know and those of us who live with chronic pain and fatigue come from a different point of reference. Invisible diseases lack the support of more obvious injuries, and those who suffer from them tend to hide in silence.
What was the most important information you learned?
Unmet expectations increase anxiety whatever their source; remember that we are all human. I am perfect just the way I am; accept the self, whatever that may be, and stop loathing and self-judgment over perceived flaws.
What information was missing?
How can you best deal with family who does not want to know, accept, or talk about chronic pain and illness? Tami concluded her journey with tremendous self insight, and no book is encyclopedic, but if Tami has advice about how to deal with family and friends, perhaps another book is in order.
What questions would you like to ask the author?
If she could start her journey over with the comprehensive understanding she now has, what would she have done differently?
Who will benefit most from reading this book?
Strategies is aimed toward those who suffer with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, offering many effective strategies and resources. The journey of overcoming obstacles and changing perceptions applies to everyone, and encourages personal growth and acceptance of human frailty in any form.
Additional Comments
As an ER RN, I have seen medical folks address Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia lightly, as though unworthy of professional understanding. My hope is that more professionals will read Tami’s journey and empathetically address this visually imperceptible disease.
Tell us about you.
RN, EMTP, DAAETS (trauma RN, paramedic, stress "expert")
