MS Madness!
A "Giggle More, Cry Less" Story of Multiple Sclerosis
by Yvonne deSousa
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Pub Date Feb 10 2014 | Archive Date Feb 03 2015
Description
Yvonne deSousa's diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis came with an insightful declaration from a new doctor ("MS sucks") and a brother's helpful advice ("You could totally get one of those handicapped parking plates now"). What followed was a year of MS-adventures: "accidentally" kicking an officious male doctor in the crotch, becoming an undercover agent to pay for medication made from Chinese hamster ovary cells, discovering the amazing effects of legal speed, and battling her arch-nemesis, the dreaded food group: vegetables. Throughout her MS journey, Yvonne learned how to use humor to find acceptance in her diagnosis, and how to smile in the face of a debilitating chronic illness. MS Madness will make you laugh while learning the real story of what MS, a disease that affects 400,000 Americans daily, can do to a perfectly normal person. Life with multiple sclerosis can be daunting, but Yvonne shares her giggles at the bizarre world she has unwittingly entered and the new perspectives it has given her on life. MS Madness makes us realize that with a sense of humor, we can survive anything.
Advance Praise
"combines defiance with humor, the secret weapon of the sick." Richard M. Cohen, NY Times best selling author of Blindsided and Strong at the Broken Places
"MS
Madness! is just what it promises to be. The author has managed to turn
a potential sob story into a humorous read without losing the main
plot. It takes a lot to make fun of yourself and the author does it with
ease. Her ability to laugh at herself, in spite of her condition, can
surely be an inspiration to one and all. I really think it takes a lot
of courage to look your MS diagnosis in the face and choose not to be
beaten by it. She deserves a pat on the back for telling it with a
smile." - Reviewed by Dr. Oliva Dsouza for Readers' Favorite
"A week before Christmas in 2009, deSousa, a writer and blogger in her
late 30s, receives a diagnosis that explains all of the mysterious
symptoms she’s had for months: relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis.
She’s thrown into a disorienting world of self-administered shots,
exhaustion, and memory loss. Rather than descend into pity or
bitterness, she decides to enjoy her favorite holiday while relying on
her Catholic faith, a sense of humor, and family. DeSousa considers
herself lucky: unlike her sister, who also has MS, she doesn’t need a
cane or a brace to walk. That attitude, which helps her navigate the
difficult early months, comes through right away in the book. At first,
deSousa continues to hold down a stressful job and teach Sunday school,
in part because, even with insurance, she worries about the mounting
costs of dealing with the disease, but eventually, her disability forces
her to quit working. She describes her deliberations over whether to
spend 83¢ on a fountain soda, and her joy at discovering that the soda
is actually free. With her new free time, she discovers previously
untapped interests like writing and earns a scholarship to a writing
conference and is published. In this heartfelt memoir, deSousa proves
that while there is much to be frustrated and dispirited about, it’s
possible to face quagmires with grace." - (BookLife)
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Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9780989972369 |
| PRICE | $14.99 (USD) |
Average rating from 10 members
Featured Reviews
Janet P, Reviewer
MS is a whimsical disease in that each person's experience of it is different. Even so fellow suffers will find much that is familiar in deSousa's chronicle of her first year after she was diagnosed with MS. I know I did.
I've read several books by folks with MS but none can hold a candle to this one. You know it all: the frustrations of the disease, the baffling symptoms, the efforts to cope and be normal, the confusing ways of insurance and the medical community.
It won't be the medical book folks who have MS will want to buy. But it is the book you should read and will love once you do. ASs I read I kept saying to myself "I know that feeling." or "That happened to me." or "Yep, you're right. That sucks."
MS is a disease where the diagnosis often throws people for a loop. You might have an explanation for what's been happening, but it is something that will accompany you for life. That often is depressing.
The author has been through it all and several of her symptoms are likely to be worse than yours. But she has come through it with determination, laughter, a fantastic attitude, and a completely new life.
I love this book, I think everyone with MS should read it. I"m so glad I did.
jill r, Reviewer
Not having really known anyone with MS I was surprised at the number and vareity if thats the word of the symptoms . The authors sister already had the illness and she was dealing with different although a bit similar things. The author deals with her problems in a very up beat fashion most of the time, there are times when things get too much but she soon bounces back . Little things become major things, each dealt with in their own way . Not a bad book .
Sarah L, Reviewer
I loved this book. As a fellow MSer I related to this book so much it was like looking in the mirror when Yvonne was talking about things like how she hated K-Mart because of how the lighting bothered her and her meltdown at the cell phone store I could totally relate too. Been there done that. The book was also so refreshing with the humor that was in it. I am not sure if I will ever be able to look at those shots the same again without thinking about Chinese hamster ovaries but luckily for me I am on an oral medication and will not break out laughing every time I take my medication.
As an MS patient I can honestly say that we need books like this on the market so people can read about what someone else is going through and see how they are able to look at the positive side of MS and laugh in it's face. So many of us who are newly diagnosed are so scared we get too depressed too look at the other side of MS that it is not that bad unless you let it beat you and that is the message I got out of this book and that is a message I wish I would have had 10 years ago when I was first told I had MS. I think I would have avoided some bad years if I had book like this or a positive person like Yvonne telling me to try to laugh along with my tears. This is a great book for the MS community to give them hope and to remind them laughter is the best medicine. I thank you for this book.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Jodi Picoult; Jennifer Finney Boylan
General Fiction (Adult), Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction
