[.ca] Women Living with Multiple Sclerosis (ISBN 0897932188)

Women Living with Multiple Sclerosis:
Although the title specifically references women, the book offers a broader appeal. As a man, I was skeptical if I would find value in it. I did! I recommend this book to anyone and everyone with MS. Because it is written from the perspective of a support group, it doesn not get weighed down by medical jargon. It effectively expresses the emotional experience many of us, including men, go through when being diagnosed and living with this potentially disabiling condition.

Welcome to my life!!!:
Having lived with M.S. for over 20 years, I've read everything I could get my hands on. Nothing I read reached me like Women Living with Multiple Sclerosis. I loved it. Ms. Nichols and her "froup" members made me feel so welcome, so understood, so OK about myself. The book was so unabashedly frank, so helpful, and so very on target that I bought copies for two women friends with M.S., and gave my book to my mother and several other friends to read, just so they could see what it's like being ME, in layperson's terms, with no clinical mumbojumbo. This book is fabulous! Every woman with a diagnosis of M.S. - and all those who love her - should read this book. We really are all in this together, and there is so much for us to learn and share.

Think twice before ordering:
The reviews cautioning the newly diagnosed against this book -- and those pointing out it represents the approach of a very particular group of women with a very particular approach to MS -- have floated to the end of the list here. I think it's worth pointing out again that if you aren't into refering to your disease as a "MonSter", and are trying to expand your horizons beyond your disease, this isn't the book to get. For those new to MS, this book may be scary: is this the only future open to me? The inspid cuteness may be as terrifying as the disbility! One thing that really bothers me is the suggestion here that people who want to understand women with MS should read this book. This is not the only face of MS. I'm glad the "froup" has helped these women. MS is a rough go, and it's good not to go it alone. But you know, faced with the choice between going solo and "froupping", I'd pick solo everytime!

I'M GLAD I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE!:
Well any of you that have MS will know exactly what I mean by the title of the review. I ordered this book from Ireland at the end of December and was delighted to recieve it the first week in January. I picked it up two days ago to read and could not put it down until I finished it at 1.30 a.m this morning. It is so enlightening to read the experiences of all who particpated in the book, and to know that what I have experienced - you have also experienced - despite the Doctors telling me - "well that has nothing to do with M.S., be it my poor swallow, the MS hug, the pain in my face, the electrical sensations, or just the plain old fatigue!" Which my neurologist says there is no such thing as! Fatigue that is!. The stories are so common place with MS and I am delighted that you all have much the same temprament as myself, which I think the majority of MS patients have - - it is not a death sentance - its a life sentance, so therefore, we have to live with it whether we like it or not. And who could possible like it? You have truly inspired me ladies, and I am strongly thinking of setting something similiar up in Ireland. If you want to know something about MS - ASK SOMEONE WITH MS. I look forward to reading more of your books. By the way I havent been able to read a book in such a long time, but I think perhaps the short paragraphs made it a lot easier, as you know when your eyes start jumping on a page its almost impossible to find your place again. Keep up the good work, and for anyone who is thinking about purchasing this book - don't think - buy it now. I have a list of 10 of my friends who are waiting to read this plus family members. Yours in M.S. Elaine.

Good for womyn with more severe MS then I have:
This book is well-written, but I can't really relate to it. I guess I'm lucky. I've had MS since 1988 and still have relapsing-remmitting MS. I don't have any cognitive problems due to MS and work full time as well as performing the usual household chores. My main symptom is bad balance. I used to have nausea a lot, but that's rare now. But womyn whose disease is progressing would probably find this book helpful. To all my sisters and brothers with MS, I send you love, healing and Bright Blessings!...