Chronically Happy: Joyful Living In Spite Of Chronic Illness [Paperback]

Lori Hartwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2002

If you have a chronic illness, Chronically Happy is the tool you need to shape the life you've always envisioned but never thought possible. Hartwell's wisdom covers a range of subjects, from dating and wroking to building self-esteem and deepening relationships. Through anecdotes and workbook-style exercises, Chronically Happy helps people with illness. Overcome the damaged goods syndrome. Manage pain. Call on the joy instinct to guide your life decisions. get the very best healthcare. Set and achieve life-enhancing goals. Reenter the workforce with ease. Become chronically happy!

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

If you have a chronic illness, Chronically Happy is the tool you need to shape the life you've always envisioned but neve thought possible.

About the Author

Lori Hartwell has lived with illness for more than three decades. As a small child, her kidneys became permanently damaged after she ingested e-coli bacteria. At age 12, her kidneys shut down completely. Over the next decade, Hartwell underwent dialysis, countless surgeries and two failed kidney transplants. Her thrid transplant, in 1990, was a success. Today she runs Hartwell Communications and the Renal Support Network, a nonprofit she founded in 1993. Hartwell travels around the country educating and inspiring patients and healthcare professionals with her stories, insight and humor. Hartwell lives in Southern California with her husband, Dean, their two dogs, a cat, and an African grey parrot named Johnny.

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Poetic Media Press (October 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972278303
• ISBN-13: 978-0972278300
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #584,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lori Hartwell has made a difference in the lives of people with chronic kidney disease. She is the model of living a fulfilling life despite chronic illness. A kidney patient since age two, she has experienced dialysis for 12 years and is now awaiting her fourth kidney transplant, Lori founded the patient-led Renal Support Network in 1993 to instill "health, happiness, and hope" into the lives of fellow patients. As RSN president, Lori travels throughout the country educating and inspiring patients and healthcare professionals with her stories, insight, and humor. She is the author of Chronically Happy - Joyful Living in Spite of Chronic Illness, an inspirational guidebook for handling lifestyle and other non-medical issues that come up in the course of chronic disease. Lori has been a guest on radio talk shows nationwide, and her annual Renal Teen Prom has enjoyed local broadcast and nationwide television coverage. She has received numerous awards in recognition of her leadership and is a sought-after inspirational and motivational speaker. In 2009 she produced a play called Who Lives? by Christopher Meeks- a moving drama about hope, despair, life, death and choice; based on the early history of kidney dialysis- which opened in Los Angeles and was nominated for five Ovation Awards by the L.A. Stage Alliance. Lori created and co-hosts KidneyTalk!, a interview program available as a web-streaming podcast as well as a number of other programs that help people who have kidney disease. She continually encourages patients to tell their stories, and her contributions toward improving the well-being of people with chronic illness are widely recognized.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sincere, practical advice, a motivational book, July 19, 2005

By 

Sarah Mulchand (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chronically Happy: Joyful Living In Spite Of Chronic Illness (Paperback)

As a student working to finish a university degree while dealing with a chronic illness (indeterminate IBD with myalgia and fatigue) Ms Hartwell's experiences of living a successful and joy-filled life despite her illness has been an inspiration and source of hope for me. Her humor despite trials is motivating, her wisdom is an amazing resource.
I especially enjoyed her chapter on overcoming the "Damaged Goods Syndrome". A tendency for those with Chronic Illness is to have negative thoughts and self-esteem challenges when we compare ourselves to other more healthy people. I often find myself viewing myself as "not good enough" and am frustrated by how disabling my illness can be in acheiving my goals.
While the mind can work destructively, it can also be employed to build joy, humor, and a positive attitude that helps achieve goals. Learning to identify and work through cognitive distortions gives you a new lens in which to see your life.
Hartwell quote in her book Helen Keller as saying "We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world."

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read especially for those with Chronic Kidney Disease, June 20, 2003

By 

C. Plenge "cmpgelen" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chronically Happy: Joyful Living In Spite Of Chronic Illness (Paperback)

As a social worker on a dialysis unit I have found this book extremely helpful in my own education of what new dialysis patients face, but also what patients deal with as a long time dialysis patient. The author leaves no stone unturned and not sugar coating a thing- she's going to tell you how to deal with failure and success each with a bit of unique humor and empathy. She has suggestions how to handle you illness in professional situations as well as how to not get bored if re-hospitalized. Bottom line she is an inspiration and a beneficial read to all!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Against all odds!, April 1, 2003

By 

Lora Benson (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chronically Happy: Joyful Living In Spite Of Chronic Illness (Paperback)

Lori's book Chronically Happy is very insightful and inspirational. She shares her first hand experience about her own personal life and what she has had to face in her life in regards to having a chronic illness. She really has many helpful tools for everyday living whether you have a chronic illness or not. She helps bring gratitude into daily life and keeping up a good sense of humor inspite of everything.

I highly recommend this book for everyday reading and also
for those with a chronic illness.

Thanks Lori!!!! You continue to inspire us everyday!!

Sincerely,

Lora Benson
Graduate Student-Antioch University Los Angeles