After the Diagnosis : From Crisis to Personal Renewal for Patients With Chronic Illness

by Joann Lemaistre

Book by LeMaistre, Joann

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Psychology

217 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1995

Reviews

[DeB · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the Diagnosis is no longer in print; in fact I only became acquainted with it by reading a single excerpt on the Internet. That was so inspiring, in a time of personal crisis, despair and self-blame after years of living with a chronic illness and not recognizing myself nor the people whom I had called family, that I ordered whatever I could find by JoAnn LeMaistre.

As a therapist and Multiple Sclerosis patient, LeMaistre offered a unique perspective on the grief and effort required to construct a different kind of life living with the uncertainty of chronic illness.

We identify ourselves through what we can do, and chronic illness shakes our sense of selves. JoAnn LeMaitstre offered the concept, so beautifully, of "being able hearted". I thank her for that inspiration.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a pretty eye opening book for someone who has recently lost a lot of her previous life. Lemaistre really understands the issues of people with chronic illness, and has identified stages that each of us go through, much like the stages of grief. She really has a handle on how people respond and gives examples of each stage. It really is more of an informative book than a self help book, but it really gets the brain thinking of ways to improve your life or the life of someone you know.

[Riv · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very helpful! It really does give you the information you need to understand the emotional roller coaster of learning to live with chronic illness. It is not a light book...but I think the title already gives the reader a clue about that. ;-) After I read it, I passed it on to my husband and mom. I suggested they read the short conclusion at the end. (Interestingly, I found the conclusion more helpful for caregivers than the chapter specifically written for caregivers.) The conclusion gave them both a bit of insight into my process of coming to terms with a whole new reality. And honestly, when one family member is diagnosed with a chronic illness, it creates a new reality for everyone in the family.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I would have found this book as helpful as I did if I had read it soon after being diagnosed (maybe I would have! I'm just not sure). However, reading it now, after being a chronic illness warrior for years, I think it is one of the best books on the emotional/psychological aspects of chronic physical illness that I have ever read, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone else with a chronic illness, especially if they're not newly diagnosed.