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What Doesn't Kill You
What Doesn't Kill You: A Life with Chronic Illness - Lessons from a Body in Revolt | Tessa Miller
13 posts | 9 read | 21 to read
The riveting account of a young journalists awakening to chronic illness, weaving together personal story and reporting to shed light on living with an ailment forever Tessa Miller was an ambitious twentysomething writer in New York City when, on a random fall day, her stomach began to seize up. At first, she toughed it out through searing pain, taking sick days from work, unable to leave the bathroom or her bed. But when it became undeniable that something was seriously wrong, Miller gave in to family pressure and went to the hospitalbeginning a yearslong nightmare of procedures, misdiagnoses, and life-threatening infections. Once she was finally correctly diagnosed with Crohns disease, Miller faced another battle: accepting that she will never get better. Today, an astonishing three in five adults in the United States suffer from a chronic diseasea percentage expected to rise post-Covid. Whether the illness is arthritis, asthma, Crohn's, diabetes, endometriosis, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, or any other incurable illness, and whether the sufferer is a colleague, a loved one, or you, these diseases have an impact on just about every one of us. Yet there remains an air of shame and isolation about the topic of chronic sickness. Millions must endure these disorders not only physically but also emotionally, balancing the stress of relationships and work amid the ever-present threat of health complications. Miller segues seamlessly from her dramatic personal experiences into a frank look at the cultural realities (medical, occupational, social) inherent in receiving a lifetime diagnosis. She offers hard-earned wisdom, solidarity, and an ultimately surprising promise of joy for those trying to make sense of it all.
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review
Buchbeeg
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Pickpick

An early 2022 read.
This book wasn't life changing and frequently felt like she was talking to someone newly diagnosed. But it was nice to hear someone else's experience and I do think it would be helpful for those new to the chronic illness world.
Overall, worth the read.

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WellReadCatLady
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Pickpick

Fantastic book and a must read for anyone with or knows someone with a chronic illness.

31 likes2 stack adds
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BarbaraBB
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#BookReport 37/21

Read these two. Both touched me in different ways. A lot. But I wished I‘d read more. My shelves are screaming at me but I can‘t concentrate 🤷🏻‍♀️

I notice I can hardly read the title of the one below. That‘s The Fire-Dwellers by Margaret Laurence.

TrishB I didn‘t finish 2 this week, just too mad busy. 3y
Readerann Totally sympathize. 🙁❤️ 3y
MicheleinPhilly SAME. I have felt so scatter brained this week. I‘m just sort of leaning into it instead of letting it stress me out. 3y
Cinfhen I‘ve been there too!! @MicheleinPhilly gave u REALLY good advice / just ride it out 3y
Megabooks 💕💕💕 3y
67 likes5 comments
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BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

It‘s a hard book for various reasons. I‘m so sorry for the way the author has to deal with Crohn‘s Disease. I had no idea it could be this bad. She is so courageous.

Also, it is a VERY American book, sometimes hard to relate to. The use of antibiotics, the many therapists and support groups but above all the US healthcare system. I am grateful healthcare is a basis human right where I live, not a privilege. The book leaves me wiser and sadder.

squirrelbrain Great review Barbara! 3y
jenniferw88 Yeah, there's very little known facts for Crohn's (I suffer from it too). If you can get hold of it there's an interesting BBC documentary about it called Strictly Amy: Crohn's and Me. 3y
BarbaraBB @jenniferw88 Thank you so much, I‘ll go look for it. My daughter was recently diagnosed with Crohn‘s but so far in no way comparable to how this author suffers from it. I hope you are not having it as seriously as she does 🙏🤍 3y
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jenniferw88 @BarbaraBB thank you and you are welcome! I'm alright with it at the moment (🤞) but had a bad flare-up a couple of years ago now. I hope your daughter doesn't get it as bad as this author or the dancer in the documentary. 3y
BarbaraBB @jenniferw88 I had no idea it can get this bad. I did find the documentary and can watch it on BBC but I‘ll wait a little while. It‘s so scaring. I hope you‘ll be alright for a long long time 🤍 3y
Megabooks Excellent review. I hope R never is as sick as the author as well. I‘ve enjoyed our emails comparing healthcare in the Netherlands and the US over the past couple of years. I‘m so glad it is a right there, and from what you say in the review, your doctors use antibiotics more judiciously. 💜💜 3y
TrishB Great review♥️ sorry to hear about your daughter Barbara. 3y
BarbaraBB @TrishB Thank you, it‘s a hard diagnosis, she is so young, but so far she seems to do better (with medication) than before 🙏😘 3y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks I often thought of you while reading this book. A chronical disease must be hard to deal with at times and I admire your positive attitude 🤍 (edited) 3y
KarenUK @BarbaraBB I‘m so so sorry to hear about your daughter. It must be scary for you all. Sending you bucket loads of love 💕 3y
BarbaraBB @KarenUK Thank you so much, we don‘t know what to expect but so far things look not too bad 🤞🏽😘 3y
Cinfhen Beautiful review. You know how I feel xxxx always with love and admiration 🧡 3y
DivineDiana Two of my sisters have Crohn‘s disease. One has it more serious than the other. I know it has been very difficult for her. Stacking this for more insight. 3y
BarbaraBB @DivineDiana There is a lot of insight to gain but it‘s hard and very confronting. Wishing your sisters the best 🙏 3y
DivineDiana Thank you. ❤️ 3y
72 likes3 stack adds15 comments
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BarbaraBB
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Meg, thank you so much for bringing this book up, Cindy for sending me this copy. It means so much to me ❤️❤️

Megabooks 💕💕 I‘m glad you and R have this. Thank you for sending it as well @Cinfhen !! 3y
Cinfhen I came across it while I was in the states @Megabooks ~ so happy to share it with you & R, Barbara ♥️!! I hope it helps xx 3y
BarbaraBB You both thinking of my daughter across the ocean and acting upon it… so incredible kind and sweet. I am sure this book will be helpful. Thank you so much. ❤️ @Cinfhen @Megabooks 3y
67 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Shievad
Pickpick

I thought Miller did a good job of making the reader understand what it‘s like to live with a chronic illness (esp a gastro one). I also thought she wove in her past trauma (alcoholic/abusive father, abused mother, hungry most days, attempted rape) and its relation to her current medical PTSD well. The book is full of advocating advice and data on living with a chronic illness in the US.

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Bookalong
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Pickpick

4🌟An excellent in depth memoir on chronic illness. Miller transparently shares her experience living with Crohn's disease. Ultimately this book offers those living with a chronic illness a chance to be seen and heard. It offers everyone else a better understanding of what living in a body out of your control is really honestly like and how to be supportive to thoes around you that live with chronic illness. #bookreview #memoir

Megabooks I also enjoyed this. Great review! 4y
Bookalong @Megabooks thanks for reading! Happy to hear you enjoyed it too, its definitely a must read! 3y
15 likes2 comments
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Allietaylor16
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My #bookhaul from our trip to Wilmington and Asheville! I‘ve never read any H.P Lovecraft or Jasper Fforde.

vivastory What a wonderful stack! What is Writers Gone Wild? 4y
Allietaylor16 @vivastory It‘s a collection of tales of famous literary figures and all of the crazy things they‘ve done in their lives. I haven‘t started it yet, but I think it will be a fun read! 4y
vivastory Sounds really interesting! 4y
25 likes3 comments
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Smrloomis
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Pickpick

This was excellent! I really appreciate that she wrote this. @Megabooks I forgot to add TW for sexual assault in case that is helpful.

Megabooks So glad you enjoyed it! 4y
Smrloomis @Megabooks let me know if you have any other similar recommendations. It was really good. (edited) 4y
Smrloomis @Megabooks 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽 stacked, thanks! 4y
59 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Smrloomis
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This sounds good!

Megabooks It is good! 4y
Smrloomis @Megabooks I‘m looking forward to it! 4y
53 likes2 comments
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

My fav chronic illness memoir I‘ve read so far! Tessa has Crohn‘s Disease, but this memoir isn‘t exclusively about her journey, it‘s also a practical guide to self-advocacy, finding a doctor, finding insurance, leaving toxic relationships, fighting for workplace rights, etc. All of the big & small things those of us with chronic illness negotiate every day. This would be esp useful to someone newly ill, but I‘ve been sick for 23 years & benefited.

Tamra Have you read this one? I loved it and could easily reread it. 4y
Megabooks @Tamra no I haven‘t. Thanks for the recommendation! (edited) 4y
dylanisreading Sounds like something I need to read. Stacked. 4y
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Megabooks @Bianca I hope you enjoy it! 4y
Megabooks Whoops @Cinfhen forgot to tag you! ❤️ 4y
Cinfhen I love this cover / another book I‘ve been curious about / you‘re killing my Audible credits xxxxx 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen yes! This is my favorite nonfiction of February so far. 4y
Cinfhen Also love the new wallet😍 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen thank you! That was my Valentine‘s gift to myself. 4y
116 likes6 stack adds9 comments
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Megabooks
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Y‘all know it‘s cold (14 F/ -10 C) when I‘m actually drinking hot coffee! This is the mug I won in the last #24in48 where they gave prizes. It‘s my current favorite. Oh and we only have a bit of snow so far, but it‘s supposed to snow all day. Stay warm everyone!

batsy Love the mug! 4y
Bookwomble I'm shivering when it's 2°C! ❄😬❄ 4y
Cinfhen Stay safe and warm 💜 4y
See All 14 Comments
BarbaraBB Lovely mug! Such a cozy picture! 4y
Megabooks @batsy thanks! 4y
Megabooks @Bookwomble I generally like the cold but when it gets this far below freezing I‘m not as big a fan. Still, I prefer it to weather in the 30s C range! 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen thanks! I finally pulled out the blanket and put on a long-sleeved shirt. The local news is going crazy. 😂 4y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB thank you! I‘ve got a book, blanket, and TV...in that order of importance! 😉❤️ 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen the ebook of Memoirs of a Geisha is 1.99 on kindle today, if you want to switch back and forth. 4y
Cinfhen Hahaha, you KNOW ME!! I bought it already!!! Thanks for thinking of me 4y
ValerieAndBooks Love that cup! Stay warm. 4y
Megabooks @ValerieAndBooks thanks!! ❤️ 4y
JazzFeathers Love It 😍 4y
102 likes14 comments