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Summary: Enlightening Journey Into the World of CFS
Review: Dr. Bell does a superb job of introducing the world to the daily reality of those whose lives are touched by CFS/CFIDS. He exposes us to the many areas (physical, social, emotional, and neurological) that this disease tries to steal from the people who suffer with it and those that love and care for them. Dr. Bell gives a frightening view into the debilitating effects of the disease and the skepticism, scorn, legal problems, and rejection these patients are subjected to. He also graciously shares the dilemas he faces in the medical arena to provide relief to his patients, study this disease, enlighten the medical community, and inform the world. He also weaves into this book statements that give us a glimpse of his profound intellect, curiousity, and sense of humor. This book is the perfect combination of a doctor's view and his patients' sufferings. Dr. Bell does not leave patients without hope. He offers compassion, understanding, intelligence, and tenacity. I encourage everyone to read this book. Nobody will walk away without newfound information. For those who feel this is only a psychological disease, I challenge you to read this book with an open mind, then reevaluate your opinion.
Rating:
Summary: BELL STRIKES AGAIN (SANCTUARY!): THE MAN WHO UNDERSTANDS
Review: Quick notes from Bell's latest book: --"Where does self end and illness begin? When we are [chronically ill]...what part of our personality is really our own, & [which] shaped or even created by disease?"... --"If robbery is the taking without permission, CFS could be the greatest thief of all."... --"Sometimes I feel the only solution [as CFS clinician] is to develop multiple personalities or else go mad."... Having had the pleasure to hear Bell speak on several occasions, I found this book a delight to read for more than one reason: it's HIS VOICE, the man himself, probably the single most candid, empathetic, and open-minded CFS MD. His informal tone is marked by wry humor, facts, frank crankiness (esp'ly re: the blindness and UNcaring of the Established Medical Establishment), and--above all--his deep, abiding humanity, which translates into true caring for every one of his patients... Bell has published books and papers both scientific and lay; this the latter, though more than a few doctors should be forced to read it at syringe-point. Consisting of 10 case histories of individual patients, it's more quilt than tapesty, covering numerous facets of this still-mysterious but very real disease. Each story illuminates another facet of CFS, each in a separate patient, from tales of disability "spies," treaments both conventional and unconventional (ever try rubbing poison ivy on your arm?), symptoms from panic attacks to myoclonus... Dr. Bell does not tie up each case story with a neat bow, but leaves the questions it raises hanging in the air--as they still do for true scientists. Each case study is meant primarily to illustrate a defining principle, as Bell has come to understand such principles by *listening* to all his patients for over 15 years. Hence his impatience with hands-off MDs who do NOT listen, who actively block new knowledge by citing "psychosomatic illness" or saying "not proven" (how many more organic abnormalities have to be documented?!) instead of dealing with patients, one by one by one, as Bell has... Beyond the important content and delightful tone of the book--and Bell's faith that a cure and recovery will come--it's worth noting, for the legions of CFS patients with troubles reading, that the book is short and very easy to read. A brilliant, if all-too-short, book. (For another, quite different set of case histories, compiled by a CFS author, see the book "Stricken" by Peggy Munson at this site.)
Rating:
Summary: BELL STRIKES AGAIN (SANCTUARY!): THE MAN WHO UNDERSTANDS
Review: Quick notes from Bell's latest book: --"Where does self end and illness begin? When we are [chronically ill]...what part of our personality is really our own, & [which] shaped or even created by disease?"... --"If robbery is the taking without permission, CFS could be the greatest thief of all."... --"Sometimes I feel the only solution [as CFS clinician] is to develop multiple personalities or else go mad."... Having had the pleasure to hear Bell speak on several occasions, I found this book a delight to read for more than one reason: it's HIS VOICE, the man himself, probably the single most candid, empathetic, and open-minded CFS MD. His informal tone is marked by wry humor, facts, frank crankiness (esp'ly re: the blindness and UNcaring of the Established Medical Establishment), and--above all--his deep, abiding humanity, which translates into true caring for every one of his patients... Bell has published books and papers both scientific and lay; this the latter, though more than a few doctors should be forced to read it at syringe-point. Consisting of 10 case histories of individual patients, it's more quilt than tapesty, covering numerous facets of this still-mysterious but very real disease. Each story illuminates another facet of CFS, each in a separate patient, from tales of disability "spies," treaments both conventional and unconventional (ever try rubbing poison ivy on your arm?), symptoms from panic attacks to myoclonus... Dr. Bell does not tie up each case story with a neat bow, but leaves the questions it raises hanging in the air--as they still do for true scientists. Each case study is meant primarily to illustrate a defining principle, as Bell has come to understand such principles by *listening* to all his patients for over 15 years. Hence his impatience with hands-off MDs who do NOT listen, who actively block new knowledge by citing "psychosomatic illness" or saying "not proven" (how many more organic abnormalities have to be documented?!) instead of dealing with patients, one by one by one, as Bell has... Beyond the important content and delightful tone of the book--and Bell's faith that a cure and recovery will come--it's worth noting, for the legions of CFS patients with troubles reading, that the book is short and very easy to read. A brilliant, if all-too-short, book. (For another, quite different set of case histories, compiled by a CFS author, see the book "Stricken" by Peggy Munson at this site.)
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