Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness

by Suzan L. Jackson

"As a physician who manages patients with chronic pain and other debilitating illnesses, I consider this book to be a must-read." - Dr, Rita Hancock, M.D.5 "“I am only half way through and it has saved my life. Seriously.”Get back to living, not just surviving, with this guide to daily living, emotional coping, improved relationships, and more joy.Whether you are in the early days of living with chronic illness or have been at it for years (or decades), there are always challenges in living a life framed by restrictions, where isolation is a common issue. This guide, packed with practical tips, provides inspiration, advice on coping, and guidance on living your best life with chronic illness from someone who’s been there. Though it seems impossible at first, your life will eventually settle into a new normal, and while that life may be different than the one you had planned, it can still be a vibrant, fulfilling life based on strong relationships, a healthy emotional state, and finding joy in every day.From Sue Jackson, the author of the popular and award-winning blog Live with ME/CFS, comes a book to help you live your best life with chronic illness. Based on Sue’s over 20 years living with chronic illnesses in her own family, writing her blog, writing articles on chronic illness, and leading multiple support groups, she provides support and practical advice you can use.

Genres: Nonfiction, Disability

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2020

About the author

Suzan Jackson is a freelance writer whose work focuses on topics related to health, family, travel, and media reviews and has appeared in many magazines, websites, and anthologies. She has had ME/CFS, an immune disorder, since 2002, and also has Lyme disease. Both of her sons also became ill with ME/CFS in 2004. Her younger son is now fully recovered, after 10 years of mild illness. Her elder son, who recently graduated from college, still has ME/CFS as well as three tick-borne infections. Sue and her sons managed to improve their conditions with a number of treatments. She runs several support groups, both online and locally, to help others. Sue writes two blogs: Live with ME/CFS at www.livewithcfs.blogspot.com and Book By Book at www.suebookbybook.blogspot.com. You can see Sue’s other published work at her writer’s website, www.suzanjackson.com, and follow her on Twitter at @livewithmecfs or @SueBookbyBook

Reviews

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an encouraging read for those living with a chronic illness, but there are takeaways that can be relevant to anyone, including those who have loved ones living with a chronic illness. We all encounter bumps in the road while on life's journey, so this is a book that could benefit many readers.

As someone who lives with chronic illness and pain, I found myself agreeing with many things in this book. The author lays out her journey, as well as that of her two sons. She speaks from experience while encouraging the reader and providing practical tips.

Thanks for helping to educate others on invisible illnesses.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

[Pam Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read with tips on managing all kinds of lives, not just those with chronic illness.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzan Jackson invites us into her and her family's journey with chronic illness. She shares her resources and routines to coping with her daily struggles from the emotional to the physical. For those of us who do not suffer from chronic illness she gives us such insight into the world of those who do.
One chapter in particular struck me was A Plan B Day. Taking mental inventories, checking your to do lists, delegating to others and dropping guilt. These are strategies we all can use and Suzan lays this all out for us.
Right now in our lives of social distancing and staying at home restrictions Suzan's vast knowledge from her life with her illness is a treasure for all of us to follow.

[Sherry]

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, "What? You, too? I thought I was the only one." C.S. Lewis

This quote is included in Suzan's book and fits us perfectly. We met each other as blogging moms who were both going through chronic illness with our families during the same time period. Our situations were similar in many ways. Also, we both loved to read and blog about our reading. It was so helpful for me to get to know Suzan and have her in my life as a support person who could identify with my daily struggles during some of the most intense days of my life. We commented encouragements to one another on each other's blog posts. I always looked forward to reading what she had to say.

I enjoyed reading this book, too. Suzan presents such a positive and thorough approach to living life well in a new kind of normal. Her books helps readers to recognize that a new normal needs to be nurtured and developed in the midst of suffering chronic illness. She brings real life examples and good ideas, born out of much experience, to each section of the book. I will be sure to recommend her book to anyone who is suffering with any type of long term health issues. I was delighted to find it available at our local library.

Thank you, Suzan, for collecting your thoughts and writings on this subject and putting them all in a book. Well done!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must have for anyone with a chronic health condition. A collection of blog posts, it's very accessible and easy to read.

I've found it super helpful in reframing my perspective on life with chronic illness, and usually reread it several times a year when I am experiencing a low point

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some really great and practical content however a good majority of the book is redundant as it is a compilation of the author's works.