Scan barcode
Reviews
What Doesn't Kill You: A Life with Chronic Illness - Lessons from a Body in Revolt by Tessa Miller
knit2togheather's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
jenna_smuszkiewicz's review against another edition
4.75
This is a great book for chronically ill people and those who care for them to read. As a chronically ill person, this gave me a lot of insight to prepare for times when my disease gets worse. The memoir keeps it storylike but there is still a lot of advice in here, especially for treating mental health.
hboyd494's review against another edition
2.5
Interesting read of a patient's journey with disease and lack of definitive diagnoses or care. What stuck out to me the most was the description of when she saw an alternative medicine provider. (sorry, cant remember the specifics now) She described a large chunk of time set aside for her, no rushing, and so she was able to share much of her struggles, and have them validated. She speculates that someone who takes their time with you, and really listens, and shows care and concern, can be deeply healing when you are used to rushed doctors appointments with seemingly no personal touch. This really struck me as significant, especially since I can be very skeptical of alternative medicine and such.
"According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, acceptance for people with chronic illness comes from a combination of three things: "Recognizing that something cannot be changed, consciously working to adjust expectations, and actively seeking more satisfaction and meaning in the things you can do.""
"According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, acceptance for people with chronic illness comes from a combination of three things: "Recognizing that something cannot be changed, consciously working to adjust expectations, and actively seeking more satisfaction and meaning in the things you can do.""
halirose's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
madisongturner's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Part memoir, part advice, this book does a great job of providing an introduction to the ups and downs of chronic illness. If you aren't chronically ill or have recently become sick, this is a great book. It felt a little redundant for me since I have been chronically ill for a while, but I appreciate the insight into a fellow chronically ill person's journey and experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
5.0
What doesn't kill you // by Tessa Miller
I feel like I say this so often about memoirs... but man, what a book! Once again, I'm so glad I picked this up. I truly feel like this read has improved my life. I enjoy learning about new things but this one just hit differently. Maybe I'm just getting better at choosing my reads. Or maybe this one just feels really personal. Whatever it is, I'm ready to tackle my own problems with renewed vigor and am looking to find my team of doctors to get this ish figured out... Thank you for that motivation, Tessa Miller!
But seriously though, Tessa Miller gave us an in-depth look into her life with Crohn's. I know some people with this disease and knew that it was bad but honestly had no clue what day-to-day life with it can look like. Miller is a science and health journalist and you can really tell that writing is her passion by the skill she shows when mixing her own story with facts about the disease, health care and insurance in the US, laws, and more. She didn't hesitate to explain the nitty-gritty details about Crohn's, the toll that chronic illness can have on mental health, relationships, self-image, careers, and all other parts of your life. But somehow, this book wasn't as depressing as you would expect it to be. Somehow, it actually felt more like a cheerleader, a motivator, a supporter. I really do feel a renewed energy to figure out what is up with my body and I thank her for that. I highly recommend this book to anybody because this can be informational to able-bodied people without chronic diseases, it can be useful for health care workers because she explains the difference a good doctor can make, it can be motivating for people with chronic illnesses, and more.
Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like I say this so often about memoirs... but man, what a book! Once again, I'm so glad I picked this up. I truly feel like this read has improved my life. I enjoy learning about new things but this one just hit differently. Maybe I'm just getting better at choosing my reads. Or maybe this one just feels really personal. Whatever it is, I'm ready to tackle my own problems with renewed vigor and am looking to find my team of doctors to get this ish figured out... Thank you for that motivation, Tessa Miller!
But seriously though, Tessa Miller gave us an in-depth look into her life with Crohn's. I know some people with this disease and knew that it was bad but honestly had no clue what day-to-day life with it can look like. Miller is a science and health journalist and you can really tell that writing is her passion by the skill she shows when mixing her own story with facts about the disease, health care and insurance in the US, laws, and more. She didn't hesitate to explain the nitty-gritty details about Crohn's, the toll that chronic illness can have on mental health, relationships, self-image, careers, and all other parts of your life. But somehow, this book wasn't as depressing as you would expect it to be. Somehow, it actually felt more like a cheerleader, a motivator, a supporter. I really do feel a renewed energy to figure out what is up with my body and I thank her for that. I highly recommend this book to anybody because this can be informational to able-bodied people without chronic diseases, it can be useful for health care workers because she explains the difference a good doctor can make, it can be motivating for people with chronic illnesses, and more.
Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.