Customer Reviews

My Own Medicine: The Process of Recovery from Chronic Illness

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I love this BIG little book! Kerner hits the nail on the head about what it's like to have life as you've known it gradually swallowed up by long-term illness, and what it takes to find your way back to a rare new quality of joy and reach maximum recovery. Her validating observations, insights, questions, and humor reveal the ups and downs of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia in a way that left me no longer feelings alone and clueless (and I'm sure would have a similar positive affect on those who suffer with other conditions or limitations). Her honest prose and deeply moving yet matter-of-fact journal entries made me want my friends, family, boss, and doctors to read it so they'd know ME better. It's inexpensive enough that I AM giving them all copies, and short enough that some have already read it (two wanted to give a copy to friends who are on a destructive path playing fast-and-loose with their health)! While brief and easy to read, it is in no way short on wisdom or practical strategies; they're all laid out in a straight-shooting yet 'freindly' tone that could strike a chord with almost any reader and merits re-reading. Clearly, I can't say enough about this book or Diane Kerner as an author and survivor.

Diane Kerner has generously made her own healing process with CFS transparent in "My Own Medicine" so that others may benefit and be inspired for their own recovery from chronic illness. Through the course of her illness, we are able to observe Diane re-wire her entire internal circuitry, her relationship to self. Her illness forced her to start from scratch in developing a self-concept and a daily routine that was compatible with the capabilities of her body and also, a clear reflection of her spirit. Diane Kerner is like one of your good friends who is smart, honest and full of heart; she has the rare ability to show her thinking; and you can trust her intention to help. If you or a family member has chronic illness, this book will help validate and empower the internal process that can deliver one out of suffering. If you are a health care provider, this book will bring encouragement and insight to your patients: it is very good medicine.