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Once Upon a Lyme... A Tale of Two Journeys

A true story of a mysterious illness that stumped a parade of doctors, and the newfound discipline of writing that became the unexpected by-product of years of misdiagnoses. Once Upon a Lyme… chronicles the search for the cause of a long list of symptoms, the eventual diagnosis, the arduous quest for a cure, and the creative outlet that helped the author through it all.

196 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2012

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About the author

Cynthia Hamilton

17 books231 followers
Cynthia Hamilton started writing 2000 as a means of coping with a debilitating illness. Writing gave her lifeline and a way to channel her overly-active imagination. Late-stage Lyme disease turned out to be a blessing in disguise, giving her a career she never imagined for herself, one that constantly inspires her.

Cynthia writes in a variety of genres: mysteries/general fiction/memoir. She is currently working on the 10th book in the Madeline Dawkins Mystery Series, and is still finding tremendous inspiration from her protagonist.

FINDING RUTH, the book she wrote to understand her mother's life from her POV, was the 1st Place Winner in the Firebird Book Awards in the Women's Fiction and Relationships categories.

Cynthia recently attended a book signing Q & A at Chaucer's Bookstore in Santa Barbara. You can click on the link below to watch the interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEaLu...

During an interview on SPEAK UP TALK RADIO hosted by Pat Rullo, she spoke about her books and the role writing has played in her life:

https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/cynt...

Cynthia lives in Santa Barbara, California with her husband and their extended family. She loves reading, writing, discussing books with other book lovers, and walking for hours, especially on the beach. She considers herself immensely fortunate.

You can also find her at http://cynthiahamiltonbooks.com or on Twitter (@AuthorCynthiaH

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Community Reviews

5 stars
12 (31%)
4 stars
6 (15%)
3 stars
14 (36%)
2 stars
3 (7%)
1 star
3 (7%)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Rissa.
1,662 reviews44 followers
May 7, 2018
Once upon a Lyme ⭐️

Chapter one “good news” basically defines how i felt when i was diagnosed with Lyme. Also the last chapter i was really able to connect with and it was interesting to read about how others are going throigh the same things as me.

I connected with the author and her journey at times and other times i was bored. I wouldn’t recommend this unless you have Lyme or are really connected with someone that has lyme and you might get an insight on what that person feels like.
644 reviews
April 25, 2017
WOW!

TMI (to much information)?
Nah! If a story is to be told, ya gotta tell it all. And if a story is to be read, ya hope it leaves a good taste in your mouth. This one is well told. The taste it left me is -- ya think you got problems, just look around.
Thanks Cynthia for a lot of information and for pointing out that I am a lucky guy.
Profile Image for Richard Croner.
112 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2017
Well, it is always interesting to take a look at another persons life. This book does that but little more. I kept waiting for anything that would help me deal with Lyme disease. The path that the author took to deal with her symptoms is no where close to something I would choose. Her choices were inexplicable. Her writing and detail were good. She seems like a nice person.
Profile Image for Jessica.
46 reviews
June 2, 2014
Very interesting journey and leaves you wanting to know more about the author. I highly recommend reading this book.
Profile Image for Sharon Verdu.
22 reviews
December 14, 2016
Great read!!

It kept me wanting to read faster to see what the outcome would be with each new medical pursuit. Engaging and informative!
Profile Image for Richard.
149 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2017
I just started the book and have enjoyed it so far but have a long ways to go.
Well this is a very interesting book about a women's struggle to find a answer to her medical issues and the system. Their are many people who have gone through this struggle and have not found the answers and if they do it's worse because of the time it has taken to diagnose it.
The reason I know this so well is because I've been a care giver to such a women and I have live this journey with her. It's not easy and you can never give up the fight and we didn't!!!
26 reviews
August 30, 2017
Fascinating

I couldn't put this book down. I am amazed at the strength of the author while battling unspeakable pain. But the book was about so much more than fighting a disease. She has a wonderful gift of expressing herself. I was so disappointed she was unable to find a magic cure for Lyme after all her searching, but inspired that she still finds joy in living.
Profile Image for John Dolan.
Author 19 books263 followers
April 24, 2016
As a fan of Cynthia Hamilton's novels, I was motivated to get to know the writer better by dipping into her biographical memoir 'Once Upon a Lyme', which chronicles her nine year journey to discover the nature of her illness. What emerges is a catalogue of diagnostic failures on the part of the medical profession, counterpointed with the author's own determination to learn what ails her, and the beginning of her writing career which serves as a mental and emotional support in her life. A fascinating slice of life, exposing the private side of this skillful author. Sufferers of undiagnosed illnesses should take heart from this book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews