Customer Reviews

Endometriosis: One Woman's Journey

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I have so much admiration for the courage this young woman has. By telling her story she has helped us more than any single resource available. After many unsucessful visits with all the wrong Dr.'s and asking all the wrong questions, an ob-gyn at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester recommended Ms Lewis's book and said the Mayo Cinic had it available. We went there for yet another opinion for my angel of a 17 year old who has no life due to this horrible disease. We read it together and cried through almost every part where the author shares her "Journey. It had been so much lke our own up to tht point. It was very encouraging to my daughter and me. Thank you to Jennifer Lewis for this amazing book. I noticed the author dedicated the book to her mother and that touched me deeply having been through so much with my baby girl. Thank you, Jennifer! I recommend this book to anyone looking to undertand more about Endometriosis and how to take charge. Also, you can bring it along with you to your Dr. as we did as there's a section for journaling specific things as well as what questions to ask our doctor from medications to surgery.

You can't go wrong purchsing this incredile book.

My sister has had endometriosis for 8 years. I have seen her go through this with no one to relate to, until she read Ms. Lewis's book!I found it so amazingly helpful for both of us. I better understand what she is going through, and she now has hope and someone to talk to who understands. Jennifer herself has been a consistant source of support for both of us, writing and calling frequently.I am relieved that finally someone has written such a personal account of thier struggle with endometriosis. Thank Goodness for this book!! Emilee Wyatt

This book is not medically sound. I posted a while back (March, 2003) when I first read it. Since then I have mentioned the ideas to my reproductive endocrinologist that Jennifer states in her book, and -*JUST* as another reader experienced- I was told "that's not true".

After a four-hour laparotomy for this disease in May of this year & going through my endo library, this is the worst book I have. I'm afraid to sell it online because I don't want to pass on the bad advice. While you may read the first few pages of the book (or even read the sample pages herein), don't be fooled. This book would be better suited as a blog or web diary, rather than an actual published book.

The reasoning? It would have been free. I wouldn't have objected if she actually wrote medical facts, as opposed to opinion (hence: her data is not backed up!), if she would have provided coping information (nope, it's a pity party and you're invited...and in fact, PAID to attend), and if she would have crafted a book that helped.

Instead, when I finished the book, I felt worse off. While I value a woman's experience with a disease, 1- I don't champion the concept of only telling your story (diary?) without helping your readers see the larger picture, 2- writing NON-medically sound opinion without fact, 3- including filler of letters to Jennifer ('oh you are so nice'), and even suggesting that people can write to you, and, for a fee, you will assist.

The woman is not a professional! He*l, she's not even a licensed counselor.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Don't get me wrong-- I understand about having days so bleak and so painful that you can't even see the sky. However, when I read a book about this disease, I don't want to put up a tent and make camp in the lowest depths of my soul (and not to mention, that the tent is made of heresay & opinion, not fact).

Invest in yourself and get Coping With Endometriosis: Sound, Compassionate Advice for Alleviating the Physical and Emotional Symptoms of This Frequently Misunderstood Illenss. It has better coping tools, discusses the entire nature of this disease based in science (but written conversationally), and helps you heal as a whole woman who happens to have endo, instead of a diseased woman. I will not let this disease win. After reading Jennifer's book, I felt beaten--as if there was no sky.

I don't expect a book to sugar coat a disease. But I do expect a book to be scientifically justified/based & seem to come from the premise of support, help and assistance.

Unfortunately, Lewis' book was none of these, but shameless self-promotion. There are better books out there. If you MUST buy this book, buy it on clearance.

If you want to learn about endometriosis, skip this book. It's devoid of factual information. Instead, the author has made up her own terminology, created her own theories, misinterpreted research findings, and added a brand new staging category for the bewilderment of her readers! Her experience is also extremely unique. She says she had a hard time convincing her physicians she needed a hysterectomy. However, as a woman with this disease, my experience has been quite the opposite -- most doctors are more than willing to suggest (and sometimes push)hysterectomy, even with young women. It has been a struggle for me to convince them I'd like to keep my organs, thank you very much. However, this book is overwhelmingly pro-hysterectomy. That, coupled with the blatant errors, really turned me off.

Thank you, Jennifer Lewis! When your book fell into my hands I was about ready to give up. No one had ever been straight with me, maybe because they did not know or because they just thought it was not important enough. For the first time I feel validated in my depression, pain, symptoms and especially how this disease has affected my marriage of 18 years. I have hope for my future. I had my husband read your chapter for men and since then things have been so much better. We are learning to use your communication tools and they are working! We actualy TALK about this now as he says he was afraid of it, now he isn't. I am so grateful. A MUST for anyone with endo. Especially those with family or friends that NEED information.

Elisabeth

Jennifer Lewis has written a book about her astounding efforts to overcome a terrible illness, endometriosis, and in the process demonstrates how others can cope as well. I will spare the details of the book, except to say that she offers her first hand account of a decade and a half long battle with endometriosis, the excuciating pain and trials that accompanied it, and provides a thorough review of therapies and treatments by which others may benefit. In addition, she offers chapters on patient advocacy with the medical establishment, the male perspective, helpful resources, ways to track the illness and it's symptoms - such as keeping a diary, and much more. In facing her own adversity, Ms. Lewis shows that it is possible to find faith, peace, and dignity in a world of pain, hopelessness, and regret. A must read for anyone diagnosed with endometriosis.

I can not say enough about how this book has helped people in my life. It does more than give you information about endo, it is an emotional support that woman afflicted with this disease needs. It also goes one step further which no other book on endo has done & that is gives a male perspective. This section has helped my husband & sons understand what it is I've gone through & still have to fight. This is an absolute life saver. Thank you Jennifer!!!

I actually purchased this book through the Endometriosis Research Center when it was first released. I want to thank Jennifer for sharing her personal & painful story with us. It made me realize just how linked together all of us who suffer from endo are. The disease is on-going and I still suffer from endo. It is important that someone is caring enough to spread the word and message about a disease so few have heard of, but so many have inside of them. THANK YOU JENNIFER....

I am a RE who specializes in endometriosis. A patient of mine turned me on to this book and I bought several copies for my office after reading it. I highly rec. this to anyone with endometriosis or anyone who may think they have it. Ms. Lewis allows us to see much more than what this disease is but how important support and mutual regard is in a doctor-patient relationship. It is well written, easy to understand and a great source of validation and encouragement to my patients who have read it. I have actually incorporated some of her suggestions into my daily interaction with patients. Jennifer Lewis is right on target when she talks about what the disease can do to a woman both physically and psychologically. No other book on endometriosis is as bold or straight forward and honest. An outstanding publication. M.A. Lee, MD, F.A.C.O.G.

Jennifer Lewis has written a many-layered guide to dealing with endometriosis. As well as telling her endometriosis story, she also offers comfort, support, and hope for those who are dealing with this condition. After reading her heartbreakingly honest description of the trips to the ER, and dealing with years of severe pain, I wondered how the other chapters would measure up.

In fact, I found that her story became the perfect springboard for discussing the main thrust of this book: patient advocacy, or, in other words, taking an active role in your own health. This theme pervades the book, especially when it gives tips for dealing with your doctor, and about the pain that the author went through before finding a doctor that would perform the surgery she needed.

Also threading through her story, is the reassurance that there are other women out there, that you, the reader, are definitely not along with this disease. She offers support for those who are giving up hope, and offers comfort for those who think they've tried everything their doctors can think of. One chapter is devoted to the personal letters from other women with endometriosis, with a few that made tears come to my eyes.

The author even includes letters between herself and her husband, a telling look into the stresses that endometriosis can cause within a marriage, and within a family. She includes a section for men, and offers suggestions for the men who love and live with women who deal with this disease.

Even if you've read all of the other endometriosis books out there, this one is definitely a keeper. The author's frank tone and honest empathy with her readers brings you close to her, and her words give you the confidence and knowledge that you need to start understanding endometriosis. I would recommend this book, as a necessary guide to improving your understanding of endometriosis, as well as providing the steps to bettering your own health.