Suzan Jackson’s Finding a New Normal – A Book Review

Suzan Jackson’s Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness pictures living with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and several other chronic illnesses, for 20 years. Her two sons developed ME/CFS while children; one son no longer has it, but the other also contracted Lyme disease. So, Sue speaks from in-depth experience as she seeks to help others.

This book is especially good for people with newly diagnosed unending conditions; it will demonstrate that you can survive and thrive, still having a purposeful life. And it is helpful for those who are having difficulty coping.

I have lived with neuromuscular disorders for over 40 years, and I can attest to the veracity of her valuable advice. Even though my challenges vary, I agree with many of her conclusions and find them to be right on.

So, whether you are new to the storms or, unfortunately, too familiar with them, you can gain new insights.

Finding a New Normal   

Sue writes about four major areas in our lives. She includes lessons she has learned and tips resulting from those lessons. Sue also incorporates advice for parenting chronically ill children.

Emotional coping

“Riding the Chronic Illness Roller coaster,” deals with our changeable emotions, especially the stages of grief and depression. Sue presents “some coping mechanisms I’ve developed to help steady and lift my spirits when despair drags me down.”

She talks about taking one day at a time, balancing hope and acceptance, and ask what you are looking forward to. Sue suggests the need to roll with the punches and proposes that you may be right where you need to be. She speaks of parenting a chronically ill child. She challenges you to think about how your illness has changed you and talks about spring cleaning your spirit. Each of these sections comes with specific suggestions for dealing in these areas.

Daily life

Sue talks about the need to find joy in each day and explains her “Joy Journal.” She deals with “Plan B” days: “You know what happens when you push past your limits with chronic illness: you wind up flat on your back the next day—and possibly for many days to come. … My way of coping is to call it a Plan B Day and to change my attitude accordingly.”

She recommends getting outside, even for a few minutes. Spending time reading and playing and celebrating is beneficial. She talks about ways to travel successfully.

Sue recognizes a huge problem for us:  “Even when you are doing something you enjoy or spending time with people you love, your mind is constantly reviewing your symptoms and status, considering your restrictions, and adjusting your body to meet your needs. This isn’t neurotic; it’s necessary. Eating the wrong food, doing too much, or just standing for too long can result in serious consequences that last for days or longer.” But sometimes we can forget, and she suggests ways to take advantage of those times.

Relationships

Sue covers a variety of aspects concerning relationships. She includes how much to tell others and how to keep up relationships when you’re so isolated. And she has two sections, with practical ideas, on parenting a child with chronic illness.

Improving your life

Finally, she ends with fascinating thoughts covering setting goals and envisioning your future. She refers to expanding your world with online learning, including an array of resources.

Summing up

This book expands on all these ideas with specific tips to aid you in living your best life.

My recommendation

So, all-in-all, I recommend this book not only to those undergoing their own challenges, but also to family and friends of these people.

For More Info

Find her book on Amazon. Consider asking your library to order a copy.

Follow her on her blogs: Live with ME/CFS and Book by Book.

Find general info on our page, “Storm Dwellers.”