Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness

Sarah Ramey's story began with what seemed like a routine infection which would not respond to the usual treatment with antibiotics. It came to some kind of conclusion eight nightmare years later when - finally - her mother (a doctor) was reading through her daughter's notes and realized that one single blood test result (among hundreds) from five years previously had never come through. This test was re-run and revealed a straightforward diagnosis, for which there was a standard, effective treatment.

THE LADY'S HANDBOOK FOR HER MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS is a nuanced, angry, sardonic, intelligent, indignant and sometimes amusing book which will speak to legions of women who find themselves faced with scepticism and bafflement from their doctor. Sarah Ramey tries to untangle the knot of prejudice, embarrassment, ignorance, and annoying behaviour from patients, medical professionals and alternative health practitioners which has led to millions of women leading lives of misery and pain because of undiagnosed and untreated illness.

Sarah's candor in discussing more than a decade of pain, confusion and dismissal by countless doctors isn't matched by self-pity but by compassion, for herself and every woman who has been told that her symptoms are only in her head, even when she knows her body is screaming. This is a book for anyone who has ever asked a question that didn't have an immediate or easy answer, anyone who has worried about themselves or a loved one who isn't getting better - despite following all the experts' advice - and anyone interested in their own health, public health or medicine; in other words, it's a book with something resonant and useful for all of us. It's also, not incidentally, a terrific read
A memoir that explores the idea that women with chronic illnesses need to rally for appropriate medical care. Making her book debut, Ramey, a writer and musician, recounts, with captivating zest, a sorry tale of suffering from a cluster of symptoms that defied diagnosis . . . Impassioned testimony of a fight for health Kirkus Reviews
Ramey offers an account of a mysterious illness that plagued her for more than a decade . . . Though this medical saga is disturbing in the many miscalculations her doctors made, Ramey's hilarious and upbeat sense of humor lightens even the direst of circumstances (a surgeon who performed the wrong surgery on her is dubbed Dr. Oops, and others merit such glib monikers as Dr. Vulva, Dr. Paxil and Dr. Bowels) . . . Ramey's uncanny grit and fortitude will deeply inspire the multitudes facing similar issues Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
A visceral, scathing, erudite read that digs deep into how modern medicine continues to fail women and what can be done about it Booklist (starred review)
Sarah Ramey is a person of uncommon wit, bravery, compassion, honesty and intellect. Every one of those qualities is on full display in this unflinching, important and stunningly written memoir, which gives voice to millions of women whose experiences and pain have been ignored and minimized Ed Yong, author of I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life
With brilliant storytelling, Sarah Ramey tells of her experience with a mysterious illness while weaving in a practical roadmap for the woman who is overwhelmed, confused, depressed, desperate, and suffering with confusing symptoms. As she undertakes her heroine's journey through her relationship with her body, she reclaims her power and comes home to herself - because in the end, it's getting back into our bodies that allows us to become free. A masterwork and a page-turning, fantastic read Alisa Vitti, author of In The FLO and founder of FLO Living
[The Lady's Handbook For Her Mysterious Illness] will be embraced as a long overdue rallying cry -- Julia Llewellyn Smith Mail on Sunday
Ramey is to be applauded for facing her ordeal with humour and for having the courage to put her experiences down on the page . . . WOMIs (women with a mysterious illness) may well find a lifeline in The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness -- Mia Levitin Literary Review

Sarah Ramey is a musician and a writer who worked as the chief blogger for Obama's website during his campaign and edited his speeches. She is a ferociously good writer.

Sarah Ramey's story began with what seemed like a routine infection which would not respond to the usual treatment with antibiotics. It came to some kind of conclusion eight nightmare years later when - finally - her mother (a doctor) was reading through her daughter's notes and realized that one single blood test result (among hundreds) from five years previously had never come through. This test was re-run and revealed a straightforward diagnosis, for which there was a standard, effective treatment.THE LADY'S HANDBOOK FOR HER MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS is a nuanced, angry, sardonic, intelligent, indignant and sometimes amusing book which will speak to legions of women who find themselves faced with scepticism and bafflement from their doctor. Sarah Ramey tries to untangle the knot of prejudice, embarrassment, ignorance, and annoying behaviour from patients, medical professionals and alternative health practitioners which has led to millions of women leading lives of misery and pain because of undiagnosed and untreated illness.

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