Mainstay: For the Well Spouse of the Chronically Ill

by Maggie Strong

Describes the adjustments the author was forced to make when her husband developed Multiple Sclerosis, and provides advice on therapy, support groups, child rearing, and emotional changes

Genres: Nonfiction

323 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1988

Reviews

[Tamara Suttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book for the well spouse of anyone struggling w/ disability, chronic illness and / or pain.

The most useful aspect of this book is that it chronicles the many, many losses that caretakers experience when their parents or spouses are struggling w/ their health.

Those losses include loss of focus, loss of companionship, loss of emotional openness, sense of security, loss of self control, loss of self-compassion, loss of direction, loss of hope & promise, loss of self, and so much more.

To simply be able to name the plethora of losses alone may help caregivers understand why they are so exhausted and help them see and accept their own needs for support.

There may be newer books that fill this need - but this one is a classic that continues to meet the needs of my clients, my family members, and my friends.

Thank you, Maggie Strong for sharing your journey with us all!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author interweaves her experiences dealing with her husband who comes down with MS, while balancing her writing career and raising her children with chapters on how to deal with the problems of chronic illness. The family suffers greatly, but many tips are given for finding support.

[Linda]

I have recommended this book to others who are the well spouse of the chronically ill. It was a great help to me when I was in that situation.