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Tales From the Dry Side: The Personal Stories Behind the Autoimmune Illness Sjögren's Syndrome
Inspiring, Enlightening Memoirs of a Challenging Illness
Like most people, you may never have heard of Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects moisture-producing glands in the body. Or you may have a friend or relative who is dealing with this often debilitating chronic illness. No matter who you are, Tales From the Dry Side is an invaluable educational tool. Approximately four million people in the United States have Sjögren’s syndrome, which is extremely difficult to diagnose, and even more difficult to treat. People with Sjögren’s often go undiagnosed for years, their symptoms dismissed by doctors or classified as psychosomatic. All the while, the patient is increasingly unable to participate in daily life. Written by Sjögren’s sufferers from various regions of the United States and Canada, Tales From the Dry Side brings you thirteen courageous men and women who share their journey with diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment of Sjögren’s, as well as candid portraits of how this illness has affected their families, their personal lives, and their careers. This book brings hope and comfort to the millions suffering from Sjögren’s syndrome and to those who suffer from any of the eighty other identified autoimmune diseases, as well as to anyone faced with overwhelming obstacles.
“Books like this are a wonderful opportunity to have the Sjögren’s story come to life. I am humbled by those patients that are willing to tell their story. Women and men who are willing to stand up, share their struggles and their triumphs as they manage this confusing and common, yet unknown disease.” – Steven Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation
Like most people, you may never have heard of Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects moisture-producing glands in the body. Or you may have a friend or relative who is dealing with this often debilitating chronic illness. No matter who you are, Tales From the Dry Side is an invaluable educational tool. Approximately four million people in the United States have Sjögren’s syndrome, which is extremely difficult to diagnose, and even more difficult to treat. People with Sjögren’s often go undiagnosed for years, their symptoms dismissed by doctors or classified as psychosomatic. All the while, the patient is increasingly unable to participate in daily life. Written by Sjögren’s sufferers from various regions of the United States and Canada, Tales From the Dry Side brings you thirteen courageous men and women who share their journey with diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment of Sjögren’s, as well as candid portraits of how this illness has affected their families, their personal lives, and their careers. This book brings hope and comfort to the millions suffering from Sjögren’s syndrome and to those who suffer from any of the eighty other identified autoimmune diseases, as well as to anyone faced with overwhelming obstacles.
“Books like this are a wonderful opportunity to have the Sjögren’s story come to life. I am humbled by those patients that are willing to tell their story. Women and men who are willing to stand up, share their struggles and their triumphs as they manage this confusing and common, yet unknown disease.” – Steven Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation
- GenresNonfiction
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 2, 2014
5 stars to Christine Molloy for putting together this book. Her story is one of the 13 included in this book. I can't say that I really liked this book because who really likes a book that is about the disease they have? Maybe some people, but not me.
It makes me weary to read about the disease I have. I reach a saturation point rather quickly. And yet, knowledge is power so I must continue to read and research and ask questions.
This is a great book for anyone wanting to better understand the autoimmune disease of Sjögren's Syndrome. The first paragraph of the Introduction pretty much says it all. Let me include that here for you:
"Imagine for a second what your life would be like if every day, you had to carry a bottle of eye drops with you everywhere you went and you had to use those drops every hour, stopping what you were doing to protect those precious windows to your soul. Imagine for a second what your life would be like if every day, each single movement of your body produced agonizing joint pain and you could no longer participate in the daily activities of your life. Imagine for a second what your life would be like if every day, you struggled to catch your breath while walking or trying to climb a flight of stairs. Finally, imagine that you were so sick on the inside, yet appeared so healthy on the outside, that people thought you were making it all up."
Yep. So there you have it. It wasn't easy to read 13 other people's stories of how their lives were snatched away from them, just like mine was 3 years ago. They included inspiring quotes and uplifting words, but right now they rang hollow in my ears. Good for them. Maybe someday I'll have a positive attitude about this disease that took my life from me. Not today. Maybe tomorrow, but not today.
It makes me weary to read about the disease I have. I reach a saturation point rather quickly. And yet, knowledge is power so I must continue to read and research and ask questions.
This is a great book for anyone wanting to better understand the autoimmune disease of Sjögren's Syndrome. The first paragraph of the Introduction pretty much says it all. Let me include that here for you:
"Imagine for a second what your life would be like if every day, you had to carry a bottle of eye drops with you everywhere you went and you had to use those drops every hour, stopping what you were doing to protect those precious windows to your soul. Imagine for a second what your life would be like if every day, each single movement of your body produced agonizing joint pain and you could no longer participate in the daily activities of your life. Imagine for a second what your life would be like if every day, you struggled to catch your breath while walking or trying to climb a flight of stairs. Finally, imagine that you were so sick on the inside, yet appeared so healthy on the outside, that people thought you were making it all up."
Yep. So there you have it. It wasn't easy to read 13 other people's stories of how their lives were snatched away from them, just like mine was 3 years ago. They included inspiring quotes and uplifting words, but right now they rang hollow in my ears. Good for them. Maybe someday I'll have a positive attitude about this disease that took my life from me. Not today. Maybe tomorrow, but not today.
August 7, 2014
I have been researching the autoimmune illness Sjögren's Syndrome for quite awhile now. No, I don't have this nor do I know anyone who has this but I do write, and one of my main character has this illness. This book was very helpful and I liked the fact the author chose to have stories from different gender and age group. I was able the learn a lot more about this chronic, autoimmune illness from thirteen amazing people that I now think of true superheroes. I have learn not only for my writing but for myself, I learnt that not to take the simple things for granted such as waking up and starting the day, doing multiple chores around the house without getting tired or with pain, or just going out in the evenings or weekend to have fun.
Thank you to Christine Molloy, Suzanne, Mindy, Jackie, Sandi, Maria, Laura, Joe, Carole, Yolanda, Laura Jeanne, Sandy, and Robin for opening my eyes and giving us a glimpse of what you go through everyday, and I wish you all the best for the future.
Thank you to Christine Molloy, Suzanne, Mindy, Jackie, Sandi, Maria, Laura, Joe, Carole, Yolanda, Laura Jeanne, Sandy, and Robin for opening my eyes and giving us a glimpse of what you go through everyday, and I wish you all the best for the future.
May 1, 2021
Just buy the book
I gave 5 stars because it was a well written book that has helped me cope with Sjogren's- I know I'm not alone or crazy.
I gave 5 stars because it was a well written book that has helped me cope with Sjogren's- I know I'm not alone or crazy.
August 18, 2014
This is a book of heroes.
Not all heroes wear blue tights, fly faster than a speeding bullet and rescue people from run away trains.
There are many silent heroes amongst us. Those who have been dealt a debilitating disease but persevere. Those who deal with excruciating pain and in spite of it continue to help others around them. Those who have lost everything that made them who they are, but still get up in the morning and count their blessings for all God has given them. Those who were cast aside, suffered through abuse, cruelty, and disbelief but persisted until they found the truth.
This book tells the stories of the heroes among us that we don’t see and don’t hear but deserve our compassion and respect.
This book tells the stories of thirteen people suffering from Sjogrens disease. It’s a must read if you have a debilitating disease, if you know someone who does, or if you want to understand the true depths of humanity. Although each story is told by a different individual the writing is accurate, consistent and well edited.
These stories are not only enlightening for the reader but therapeutic for the writers and for that, I commend them.
I give this book five stars, for the courage displayed by the authors deserves no less.
Not all heroes wear blue tights, fly faster than a speeding bullet and rescue people from run away trains.
There are many silent heroes amongst us. Those who have been dealt a debilitating disease but persevere. Those who deal with excruciating pain and in spite of it continue to help others around them. Those who have lost everything that made them who they are, but still get up in the morning and count their blessings for all God has given them. Those who were cast aside, suffered through abuse, cruelty, and disbelief but persisted until they found the truth.
This book tells the stories of the heroes among us that we don’t see and don’t hear but deserve our compassion and respect.
This book tells the stories of thirteen people suffering from Sjogrens disease. It’s a must read if you have a debilitating disease, if you know someone who does, or if you want to understand the true depths of humanity. Although each story is told by a different individual the writing is accurate, consistent and well edited.
These stories are not only enlightening for the reader but therapeutic for the writers and for that, I commend them.
I give this book five stars, for the courage displayed by the authors deserves no less.
April 1, 2015
Like the other reviewer said, this was a hard book to read. I knew I wasn't likely to find happy endings and that these would be tales of struggle, but I was hoping for more hope. Being a newcomer to Sjogren's, I wanted these stories to align with the shiny Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation videos -- I would still be able to ballroom dance and live a vibrant social life (not that I have these now, but let me dream, OK?), just with some vials of eyedrops in my pocket and a lemon drop in my mouth.
It was a sobering read, and I give the folks behind the stories big kudos for sharing them with us. I didn't get my fairytale ending, but the book did make me take my disease more seriously and start making some changes so I can keep what I have as long as possible. I guess that's a beacon after all.
It was a sobering read, and I give the folks behind the stories big kudos for sharing them with us. I didn't get my fairytale ending, but the book did make me take my disease more seriously and start making some changes so I can keep what I have as long as possible. I guess that's a beacon after all.
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April 11, 2022excellent book. a must read. very thorough. helpful resource for those that have sjogrens disease.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews