The First Year: Multiple Sclerosis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) [Paperback]

Margaret Blackstone (Author), M.D. Saud A. Sadiq (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: First Year, The | Publication Date: December 19, 2002

Multiple sclerosis is as much a mystery as it is a disease, but this chronic and often-disabling condition of the central nervous system affects an estimated 350,000 nationwide. From the first moment of her diagnosis, author Margaret Blackstone took charge and educated herself on every aspect of her condition. Now, as a "patient-expert," she guides those newly diagnosed step-by-step through their first year with MS. She provides illustrative charts and tables, crucial information about the nature of the disease, treatment options, diet, exercise, social concerns, emotional issues, networking with others, and much more. The First Year—Multiple Sclerosis will be an invaluable guide for everyone learning to live with a MS diagnosis.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A courageous book, as practical as it is compassionate." -- Marc Siegel, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, NYU Medical Center

"Blackstone's book offers the best medicine there is: hope through knowledge and positive action." -- Studs Terkel, author and oral historian

"[Offers] practical answers at a time of profound fragility." -- Richard Cohen, The New York Times --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Margaret Blackstone is a graduate of Yale University. She was awarded the Murray Fellowship and wrote and translated poetry in Mexico for a year. She is the author of several books on a variety of medical topics, including Beat Diabetes and Recovering from a C-Section, and a poet and an award-winning author of children’s books. She lives in Greenwich Village with her family.
Saud A. Sadiq, MD, is the Director of The Multiple Sclerosis Research and Treatment Center and Chairman, Department of Neurology, at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York.
Contributor residences: Blackstone: New York, New York; Sadiq: New York, New York

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Marlowe & Company; First Edition edition (December 19, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569245223
• ISBN-13: 978-1569245224
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,253,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, January 19, 2003

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The First Year: Multiple Sclerosis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) (Paperback)

I was actually diagnosed a year and a half ago so this book was less useful for me but boy, I sure would have loved to have had it those first few weeks and months when I was going through the stages of grief and trying to deal with so many emotions and thoughts all at once. This is better than the "newly diagnosed" book I had when I was hit with this reality. I can really see myself in these pages. It walks through all sorts of things you face emotionally but also gets to aswering questions that you have when first diagnosed. The book is broken down into chapters called Day 1, Day 2, etc. Really it's more like Week 1, week 2 etc. But within each chapter it has "living" which talks about what you may be feeling emotionally and it gives good perspective on that emotion; and then it has a section on 'learning" and that's where certain questions about MS or about living with MS are addressed. Each chapter is broken out that way. So it addresses not only the emotional side but also the thinking side. I think its a great book. Even though I'm past many of these questions I keep the book around and refer to it once in awhile to give myself a kick in the pants to exercise or eat better, etc. As my doctor told me, MS is like running a marathon - you're in it for the long haul. It took me a year to really understand what was meant by "chronic" illness -ie.e., yea this really isn't going to go away. This book is great though in helping to be proactive about the disease, not feeling gloom and doom. Highly recommended.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to life with MS, February 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The First Year: Multiple Sclerosis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) (Paperback)

I thought this was a good general introduction for those newly diagnosed with mild symptoms of MS. It's a little less scary than some of the others. Since it's newer then many other books on the market, there is more emphasis on hope for the future.
Women will like this book better than men. The emotional & wellness essays are strongest aspect of the book. There were a couple of minor errors in fact but overall a very good book.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book for the newly diagnosed, July 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The First Year: Multiple Sclerosis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) (Paperback)

I wish I would have found this book first when I was newly diagnosed instead of some of the scarier books out there. This book really helps you understand not just your disease and the tests and procedures you must undergo, but also the emotional process you will experience, from anger to fear to self-pity. The author has MS and shares her experiences without being alarmist or depressing. This book really lifted my sprits and made me feel like I could handle my disease. If you have MS or are getting testing and want helpful information, this is the right book.