Diseases and Disorders

Even though this is an older book, its information is still helpful. As its name suggests, Being Sick Well: Joyful Living Despite Chronic Illness offers help to those living with chronic illnesses. Its message informs healthy people about life with chronic illness.

An especially interesting section deals with humor used by the chronically ill. It can seem macabre to the well person, but it relieves pressure for the sufferer.

The cover sums it up: “approach illness with dignity; adopt a new attitude; find hope through it all.” Worth a read.

Available at Amazon.

Endorsements

• “Not only a wonderful resource for sufferers but also of great benefit for their families, friends, treating physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and medical students.” – Dr. Joseph Mann
• “O’Shea has done a service for those who are likely to have underestimated the depth and range of writing on this subject. Migraine can no longer be dismissed as ‘just a headache.’” – Patrick M. Murphy

Review

I read this book because my good friend has a rare type of migraines, some of which last months. So, I wanted to learn more about what my friend experiences. For several years, I had migraines but nothing like my friend’s. After reading this book, I understand that many migraineurs suffer unusual symptoms.

I learned a new term reading this book: migraineur, one who suffers from migraines. Ms. O’Shea is a 42-year migraineur and an English professor. She edited this literary anthology, arranging it in five parts. Part 1 speaks to what migraines feel like. Part 2 is titled, “What people don’t see: the invisibility of migraine.” The third part asks, “It’s just a headache?” Part 4 asserts that it’s a lifelong, full-time job. And part 5 deals with when it’s gone.

Rather than a textbook explaining migraines, So Much More Than a Headache is written by migraine sufferers in literary form. Some are presented as poems; others are written in prose; one is even a play. Many writers describe feelings that seem foreign or alien to those who have never experienced a severe migraine. Too many migraineurs are misunderstood and disbelieved.

I recommend this book for anyone who has a close relationship with a migraineur—a family member, friend, or coworker. This book would be helpful for anyone interested in what a migraine is like.

About the editor

Kathleen O’Shea is a Prof. of literature and philosophy at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, and a sufferer of migraines for 42 years.

Places to order this book

Available on Amazon.