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Sick Idiot
From trips to see Oprah to trips to the emergency room, herein lie the sometimes-funny, sometimes-ridiculous, sometimes-inspiring, but always-true stories of Arthritis Ashley and her ups and downs while navigating life with chronic illness. After dealing with invisible illness since childhood, Ashley has learned to stay smiling, stay positive, and keep a sense of humor through all of life’s unpredictable twists and turns — and she’s definitely more than a Sick Idiot. From hit- lists, to hospitals, to hair salons, there is never a dull moment or a right way to be sick. Limp along as we observe a journey that hasn’t always been easy — but has always been worth it.
- GenresHealth
182 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2015
5 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Boynes-Shuck
5 books21 followersHello! For those of you who do not know me, my name is Ashley Boynes-Shuck. I am an award-winning author, blogger, social media pro, and advocate based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
My three internationally-published books include two nonfiction health memoirs called "Sick Idiot" and "Chronically Positive," and a post-apocalyptic fiction novel, called "To Exist." I was also a co-author on the locally-published book, "Empowered in Pittsburgh.
Additionally, I am a reporter for www.Healthline.com, where I write research-based news articles about rheumatoid arthritis and similar topics.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family, friends, 3 dogs, and 2 cats. I am on several nonprofit boards and a member of several service organizations. I enjoy exercise, pop culture, fashion, concerts, camping, boating, and astronomy.
I hope you'll take the time to read my books!
My three internationally-published books include two nonfiction health memoirs called "Sick Idiot" and "Chronically Positive," and a post-apocalyptic fiction novel, called "To Exist." I was also a co-author on the locally-published book, "Empowered in Pittsburgh.
Additionally, I am a reporter for www.Healthline.com, where I write research-based news articles about rheumatoid arthritis and similar topics.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family, friends, 3 dogs, and 2 cats. I am on several nonprofit boards and a member of several service organizations. I enjoy exercise, pop culture, fashion, concerts, camping, boating, and astronomy.
I hope you'll take the time to read my books!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 28, 2015
3.5/4 out of 5 -This is an approachable book for women from teens to young professionals and working mothers and patients dealing with unforeseen medical situations. Caregivers, too, of any age might find some wise nuggets of insight and advice throughout - in fact, I tweeted quite a few of her pearls of wisdom.
The tough stuff we experience in life, well, it serves as an education tough as it may be. I personally think it is harder than any college education. It makes you grow...Fast! One thing I personally have learned is no matter what you gotta smile & laugh. Before you say isn't this a book review? (It is!!) I want to share some points w/ you. Laughter is something the author completely agrees with whether w/ friends and family or at the doctor's office (just not AT the doctor). It may be a cliche but for people living with pain every day: laughter can be the best of medicine ... So get your daily dose.
As for the author's book, Sick Idiot, I didn't think the title fit the book and/or she didn't have enough "sick idiot-ness" built into the book. She said it plenty of times I just didn't believe her. I love ya, Ashley. And I get what you are trying to say but it either needed to go further to show more idiot-ness or change the title. Plus, I don't think it fits her image, personally. That's just my opinion. I had plenty of other reasons that I liked the overall book though! I thought it was easily approachable, conversational, and added GREAT tips & hints for the reader. I COULD GO ON AND ON HERE! Like I said before, I tweeted quite a few! #greatstuff ||
Some of the misses: I think Ashley may have repeated herself some throughout and definitely toward the end. And the employment chapter, yikes! Her voice (as the writer) was consistent for the most part but in the employment part it hit a different note, so to speak. She became less conversational and more confrontational, trying to prove a point. It is understandable to a point but this is not the place to air such matters about whether yours or former employee so-and-so did a better job. It's her book so she can do what she wants and I totally get that. As a reader, though, I felt uncomfortable reading certain parts because of what and how it was disclosed. Yet, I like that throughout the book she showed a full landscape of her emotions & how such emotions played out in her life. In some ways I thought it was very well done (note the 3.5-4 out of 5).
I wanted more in-depth scenes: how your hubby takes care of you as a "patient" and how you balance that role between patient and the pain scale, per se, especially since he is such an outdoorsy person/his personality. This could have really could have been look into as a chapter given the pressure wives and hubbies face but perhaps you were too early on into your marriage. Another thing) Maybe it was me...my fault but I never saw the author grieve their former life & maybe they didn't. I mean you can't keep the positive attitude 24-7. It can only work say MWF but what about T TH? I am not trying to argumentative or anything just truthful. And maybe I missed it somewhere. Or it is something to cover in a blog or whatnot.I would love to hear your thoughts on that. I love your "voice."
Overall, I think it is something many chronic pain patients can relate to - I know I did. At first I thought I wouldn't have anything in common with the author -- I don't know why NOT! (Dogs, fashion, illness the trifecta! Ha!) -- even though I have followed her on Twiiter a few yrs. You would be surprised. I may not even have to write my own memoir now! LOL! ;) Just kidding! I have a nerve tumor disorder. So, I have my own story to tell whether it be an essay, story, or book. ;)
Thanks for making something worth wrapping one's hands around & taking the time to read, an individual's personal story told with such grace, grit, and laughter. I will be seeing you on Twitter! Can't wait to see what's up your next writing or fashion sleeves.
The tough stuff we experience in life, well, it serves as an education tough as it may be. I personally think it is harder than any college education. It makes you grow...Fast! One thing I personally have learned is no matter what you gotta smile & laugh. Before you say isn't this a book review? (It is!!) I want to share some points w/ you. Laughter is something the author completely agrees with whether w/ friends and family or at the doctor's office (just not AT the doctor). It may be a cliche but for people living with pain every day: laughter can be the best of medicine ... So get your daily dose.
As for the author's book, Sick Idiot, I didn't think the title fit the book and/or she didn't have enough "sick idiot-ness" built into the book. She said it plenty of times I just didn't believe her. I love ya, Ashley. And I get what you are trying to say but it either needed to go further to show more idiot-ness or change the title. Plus, I don't think it fits her image, personally. That's just my opinion. I had plenty of other reasons that I liked the overall book though! I thought it was easily approachable, conversational, and added GREAT tips & hints for the reader. I COULD GO ON AND ON HERE! Like I said before, I tweeted quite a few! #greatstuff ||
Some of the misses: I think Ashley may have repeated herself some throughout and definitely toward the end. And the employment chapter, yikes! Her voice (as the writer) was consistent for the most part but in the employment part it hit a different note, so to speak. She became less conversational and more confrontational, trying to prove a point. It is understandable to a point but this is not the place to air such matters about whether yours or former employee so-and-so did a better job. It's her book so she can do what she wants and I totally get that. As a reader, though, I felt uncomfortable reading certain parts because of what and how it was disclosed. Yet, I like that throughout the book she showed a full landscape of her emotions & how such emotions played out in her life. In some ways I thought it was very well done (note the 3.5-4 out of 5).
I wanted more in-depth scenes: how your hubby takes care of you as a "patient" and how you balance that role between patient and the pain scale, per se, especially since he is such an outdoorsy person/his personality. This could have really could have been look into as a chapter given the pressure wives and hubbies face but perhaps you were too early on into your marriage. Another thing) Maybe it was me...my fault but I never saw the author grieve their former life & maybe they didn't. I mean you can't keep the positive attitude 24-7. It can only work say MWF but what about T TH? I am not trying to argumentative or anything just truthful. And maybe I missed it somewhere. Or it is something to cover in a blog or whatnot.I would love to hear your thoughts on that. I love your "voice."
Overall, I think it is something many chronic pain patients can relate to - I know I did. At first I thought I wouldn't have anything in common with the author -- I don't know why NOT! (Dogs, fashion, illness the trifecta! Ha!) -- even though I have followed her on Twiiter a few yrs. You would be surprised. I may not even have to write my own memoir now! LOL! ;) Just kidding! I have a nerve tumor disorder. So, I have my own story to tell whether it be an essay, story, or book. ;)
Thanks for making something worth wrapping one's hands around & taking the time to read, an individual's personal story told with such grace, grit, and laughter. I will be seeing you on Twitter! Can't wait to see what's up your next writing or fashion sleeves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2015
One of my best friends suffers from chronic illness, and this book has helped me to understand better what she deals with on a daily basis. Ashley Boynes-Shuck tells her tale with plenty of heart and a healthy (pun unintended) dose of humor. Very enjoyable!
May 24, 2015
Really great book.....a positive message behind this book. Left me feeling positive about life.
March 6, 2016
Wonderful memoir about living with chronic illness. Ashley so generously shared the challenges of living such a life and I'm so glad I read about her journey.
May 17, 2018
I wanted to like this memoir more than I did, buy ultimately, this popular blogger's memoir/essay collection just didn't endear her to me. There is something in the tone of some of the essays that manages to be both Pollyanna AND whiny at the same time and reading ot straight through wasn't going to happen because of that. On the other hand, her experiences with various doctors, diagnoses and treatment protocols and side effects often makes for interesting reading to people who are looking for books or essays to read about what living with chronic illness is actually like. 3 stars.
June 6, 2016
I'll preface this review by stating that I know Ashley personally and that she's a truly wonderful person.
That being said, Ashley has written a WONDERFUL memoir and I'm so glad I've read it. She specifically writes about her overwhelming personal health challenges but I found the book to be applicable to so much more than physical health. I've known many people who deal with invisible demons such as depression, alcoholism, drug addiction and many other disorders which hide themselves from view. So many people have very real struggles which are often discounted, discredited and dismissed by others since they can't be seen.
Ashley's message is truly a powerful one, and is something I picked up on in our very first encounters. When faced with limitations from within as well as from others we have two choices: beat them, or be beaten by them. We can make the most of our situation and search for the places where we can be happy within our limitations, or we can feel self pity and be miserable while wishing that we can change something which cannot be changed. At its very core Sick Idiot is about how Ashley lives here life based on the principals of the Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
I'm not going to go so far as to say that this is a must-read book, but I think anyone could benefit from reading about the positive approach Ashley takes to facing some severely debilitating health issues, and to be reminded to put our problems in perspective and to be thankful for the many many good things we have in our lives instead of focusing on the bad things.
That being said, Ashley has written a WONDERFUL memoir and I'm so glad I've read it. She specifically writes about her overwhelming personal health challenges but I found the book to be applicable to so much more than physical health. I've known many people who deal with invisible demons such as depression, alcoholism, drug addiction and many other disorders which hide themselves from view. So many people have very real struggles which are often discounted, discredited and dismissed by others since they can't be seen.
Ashley's message is truly a powerful one, and is something I picked up on in our very first encounters. When faced with limitations from within as well as from others we have two choices: beat them, or be beaten by them. We can make the most of our situation and search for the places where we can be happy within our limitations, or we can feel self pity and be miserable while wishing that we can change something which cannot be changed. At its very core Sick Idiot is about how Ashley lives here life based on the principals of the Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
I'm not going to go so far as to say that this is a must-read book, but I think anyone could benefit from reading about the positive approach Ashley takes to facing some severely debilitating health issues, and to be reminded to put our problems in perspective and to be thankful for the many many good things we have in our lives instead of focusing on the bad things.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews