The Lady’s Handbook for her Mysterious Illness is a visceral, witty, harrowing account of one woman’s descent into chronic illness.
But it’s so much more than a memoir. In the words of author Jamie Quatro:
It’s a barbaric yawp. It’s a manifesto, it’s researched, it's funny, it’s a page-turner, it’s a thriller. I think over time it will become an established part of the literary memoir and medical literature canons, one of those books that has marathon legs and will be studied for generations to come.
Author and musician Sarah Ramey is badass, wicked-smart, warm, tenacious. Should I go on? I’ve heard countless women say her memoir is hands-down, one of their top ten most important reads. I agree.
She also was a guest on the Unfixed podcast with docu-series subject and Physician Assistant Brianna Cardenas. Together they mine their experiences with chronic illness, the cyclical descent into darkness and uncertainty, and surface with uncommon sensitivity and wisdom.
I like Sarah A LOT. I admire her. I respect her. I wish we were in the same town so we could lay in the grass and let chickens peck at our hair. I think you will feel the same.
If you are a woman (or man) with a mysterious illness, read this book.
If you love someone with a mysterious illness, read this book.
If you are a healthcare provider and have patients with mysterious illnesses (and we know you do), read this book.
Unfixed Podcast: Episode 8 - Mystery Illness, Women and their Care with Sarah Ramey and Brianna Cardenas
The number of illnesses that qualify as mysterious is staggering. From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to Lyme Disease to Long Covid, this list includes conditions one might assume are well understood. But because they are largely invisible, predominantly affect women, and symptom management is challenging at best, we deem them “mysterious.” In this episode, author Sarah Ramey and Physician Assistant Brianna Cardenas draw from their experiences as patient advocates to explore the gender inequities, biases, and systemic barriers to getting proper care. They discuss how patients must stand their ground within a broken healthcare system that often tells us “it's all in our heads.” With no magical sword to slay the dragon these two women reframe the hero’s journey into the heroine’s journey—a process of drawing strength and wisdom from the darkness and emerging to guide others into a new paradigm that recognizes the value of living unfixed. LISTEN / LEARN
This is a fascinating topic and I can't wait to listen to this episode and read her book! Several years ago (before I knew anything about the connection between trauma and illness) I was diagnosed with HPA Axis dysfunction (or Adrenal Fatigue) by a functional medical professional. The road to get there was long and winding to say the least (including but not limited to having Prozac pushed on me because I was "probably just depressed.) I can't nelieve how manu women have had similar experiences.
I enjoyed her book as well. It has a certain whimsy that made the whole thing feel not so heavy, and I appreciated that. Another one I liked was The Invisible Kingdom by Meghan O’Rourke. I got a bit more recovery “oomph” out of that one.