Drying My Tears: One Family's Journey with Autoimmunity

by Liz Wilkey

A heartwarming blend of medical mystery, intimate journal, comic survival guide, and a “zenchanted” map to acceptance, this memoir recounts the story of a family’s journey within the often-invisible world of autoimmunity. The book leads the reader through the misery and mayhem encountered while one woman attempted to raise three daughters with autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroidititis, and spondyloarthritis. It then details what happened when a life-altering, autoimmune disease called Sjogren's Syndrome swooped down to hit her squarely in the eyes as well. Covering topics as diverse as “Identity Theft,” “The Doctor-Patient Fit,” "Little House of Illness" and “Using Buddhist Philosophy to Deal with Chronic Illness,” this book serves as a handbook of sorts for all those who wish to understand the emotions and obstacles encountered in living with chronic illness and provides a strategy for coping for the 50 million Americans who are currently living with autoimmune diseases.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2017

About the author

Liz Wilkey is a graduate of Fairfield University and mother of three daughters with rheumatic and autoimmune conditions. Her unique life experiences, sense of humor, and appreciation of all-things-whimsical have combined to make her writing a joy to read. She currently resides in Morristown, N.J. with her dog, cat, and husband, Michael.

Reviews

[Bianca · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book to be deeply depressing and lacking in humour, despite the author’s intentions. It focuses heavily on the harsh realities of autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s (which I also have) and lupus, and it also shares the experiences of the author’s three daughters, each of whom has an autoimmune condition. While it does cover the challenges of dealing with doctors and the complexities of these conditions, the perspective is distinctly American and may not resonate with readers outside the U.S.

In the end, despite keeping an open mind, I couldn’t wait to finish the book, and it ultimately offered me very little practical insight. Unfortunately I do not recommend it at all to anyone.

[Dorothy Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone impacted by an autoimmune disease. Whether you are friend or family, you will gain an insight that you don't currently have. If you are personally impacted, you will know that you are not alone in the silence. This author has a writing style that is refreshing. She includes the medical terms, but does not overwhelms you. She bravely takes you on her family's journey and leaves you with a glimmer of hope when there appears to be none. Highly recommended.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book raised my awareness of diseases autoimmune,
Some breakthroughs in science I pray will come soon.
The story is sad, and I shed tears for sure,
Because of the pain the four women endure.
But I laughed just as much as I cried, I must say,
Because with her skill, Wilkey does have a way
To illume the humor among the distress,
And to show us the thing her daughters do best:
Live with resilience and strength and spirit galore,
Seems they’ll not only fly; to great heights they will soar.