I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just A Little Unwell: My Journey Through Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

by Leigh Hatcher

One day in January 1998, Leigh Hatcher lay down for a ten minute afternoon nap and woke two hours later feeling as if he'd been run over by a truck. Without warning, he'd plunged into a health crisis that was as devastating as it was mysterious.
One of Australia's best-known television journalists vanished overnight from people's TV screens. He fell into a wilderness of pain, exhaustion and confustion that defied medical diagnosis. Finally, after a year, the verdict came in: chronc fatigue syndrome, or CFS. An illness that many said didn't really exist at all.
In this passionate account, Leigh Hatcher describes the acute physical suffering and huge personal losses of his battle with chronic fatigue. He speaks frankly about the hurt and betrayal he felt when people questioned whether the illness was 'all in his mind'. He reveals the reserves of personal strength and faith that guided his way through the wilderness and taught him invaluable new lessons about life. And he details the thrilling discovery that unlocked his health once again. Leigh's story will bring comfort to all those suffering with CFS, and will show others how to accept, love, and support anyone who is wrestling with this 'multi-headed beast'.

Genres: Biography, Self Help, Medical, Christian, Health

119 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Raven · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this at a time when I was lost and still hadn't come to terms with what was happening. Unlike a lot of people with ME/CFS I did not find this as helpful as a lot of others. Leigh Hatcher is a great person but I couldn't identify with his book as much as I would've liked to at the time. Even though I couldn't identify with it I still recommend it. I found it to be rather a relief that someone out there was having a rough time and being treated like something they weren't but at the same time I found it to be extremely frustrating because he didn't delve into his symptoms that much or mention much about brain fog or pain.

[Roz C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think people are a bit hard on the author of this book in these 'ere Goodreads reviews, just because his experience of ME/CFS is different to theirs. That's not really fair. His perspective and his experience are just that - his perspective and his experience. This is one patient's (well-written) account of the confusion and stigma that one goes through preceding and following an ME/CFS diagnosis. I hope he's still going strong and wish him all the best.

[Susan Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A number of CFS and other chronic illness suffers have reported this is a helpful book for people who have not experienced chronic illness firsthand to read. To help understand the experience. I have never experienced chronic illness myself and read it to gain insight and learn how to be helpful and also what is unhelpful. Leigh articulated himself well and it is indeed a good book for building empathy and understanding. Very glad he wrote it. Very glad I read it. I will refer to it again in the future I’m sure.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a personal memoir of illness, not a fix-it manual. The greatest strength of Hatcher's narrative is that he offers readers the simple assurance that they are not alone. Though he chronicles the helpful and unhelpful treatments he tried, he does not advise any particular course of action for sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome. Hatcher attributes much of his ability to persevere and remain hopeful to his Christian faith, without which he acknowledges his experience would have been quite different. He doesn't bash nonreligious folks, but a reader who does not share his faith may find Hatcher's most significant source of encouragement irrelevant to their own lives. I would recommend this book for its clear and thoughtful prose as well as the window it provides into one individual's experience of chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Jannah Pittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such an amazing insight into the life of someone living with cfs. Although we have come a long way in how cfs is viewed, especially within the medical community, the experience of Leigh is sadly still the common experience.
His rapid recovery is sadly not common place though and I wish he empathised that a bit more, however it doesn't detract from the significance of his story
His summary at the end, discussing the book 'surviving survival' had me crying at how realistic the situation is, especially the rapid growth in faith and change in perspective. Overall a much needed book for understanding successfully ministering to others.

[Alan Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and straightforward account of living through CFS with some wonderful insights into his thoughts, experiences and struggles along the way. As one who has never suffered from CFS it was good to see the illness from his perspective and be given greater understanding and, hopefully, empathy. It is encouraging to hear how God's grace and faithfulness throughout his illness sustained him then and helped him to grow as a Christian and trust Him more.

[Josephine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read, Leigh tells his tale of overcoming CFS well, imparting the frustrations of being sick and having his life changed, with no control over it.

[Jessica Compton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some helpful reminders in here for what not to say and do around chronic illness sufferers.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful. This book recounts the journey of Australian media personality Leigh Hatcher through Chronic Fatigue. I have never read an account of a CFS sufferer that so perfectly expresses just how much this disease impacts those who suffer from it - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Leigh shows how misunderstood this illness is, and how devastating people's misunderstandings and perceptions of those who suffer from it can be. Ultimately, what makes this book such a joy and comfort to read is the hope that is evident throughout - the assurance that God is present through the hardest, deepest pits of suffering. I just want to give this book to EVERYONE I know.

5/5.

[Kathy Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraged to read of someone else's journey on this sometimes very dark road. To read of someone else's symptoms that are identical to yours is relief that you are, indeed, not going crazy. Definitely written from a documented, journalistic point of view, perhaps more from the head than the heart, but I definitely appreciated his honesty and openness regarding his struggle with friends, family and confidence. Worth reading to simply feel that this is not all in my head, and there are people out there who understand.

[Nerissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

insightful. Opens the mystery of CFS

[Bec · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn't find this book very helpful

[Rose Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read and informative on one mans journey with CFS