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Lemon Belly: A Memoir of Resilience and Crohn's Disease
It’s been said that once you’ve seen one Crohn’s patient, you’ve seen just one Crohn’s patient. The symptoms, side effects and collateral damage of the disease vary widely from patient to patient, but Brad Harris has endured most of them.
Lemon Belly is a coming-of-age memoir about thriving despite growing up with the misfortune of a chronic illness. Tinged with nostalgia and humor, the story encompasses four decades of Harris’s life.
It begins with his quest for a normal childhood by keeping his illness locked safely behind bathroom doors. Despite being bullied and shamed for frequent bathroom use, being too thin, and undergoing body-altering surgery at the young age of twenty-two, he continued to date, get married and have kids, and cultivate a successful career. The memoir ends with a roller-coaster third act describing the year-long health crisis that nearly kills him—but instead leaves him stronger and determined to share his story of hope and resilience.
Lemon Belly is a coming-of-age memoir about thriving despite growing up with the misfortune of a chronic illness. Tinged with nostalgia and humor, the story encompasses four decades of Harris’s life.
It begins with his quest for a normal childhood by keeping his illness locked safely behind bathroom doors. Despite being bullied and shamed for frequent bathroom use, being too thin, and undergoing body-altering surgery at the young age of twenty-two, he continued to date, get married and have kids, and cultivate a successful career. The memoir ends with a roller-coaster third act describing the year-long health crisis that nearly kills him—but instead leaves him stronger and determined to share his story of hope and resilience.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2022
About the author
Brad Harris
1 book9 followersAs a thirty-five-year veteran of Crohn’s disease, Brad Harris has inspired thousands by sharing stories of his health journey with audiences at Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America events and private speaking engagements. He has lived in Massachusetts his whole life, where he currently resides with his wife Nicole, their two boys and their mini schnauzer.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 5, 2022
First person account of a chroinic illness from an earnest and determined author
Matter of fact, hopeful, and honest--Brad Harris Shares the whole experience with us. He turns the spotlight on himself and the medical system that has helped him. A good read.
Matter of fact, hopeful, and honest--Brad Harris Shares the whole experience with us. He turns the spotlight on himself and the medical system that has helped him. A good read.
October 10, 2022
Having a son with a Crohn’s who was diagnosed around the same age as the author made this a very intense read for me. Brad’s continued optimism throughout his journey was very inspiring. I’d recommend this book to anyone suffering from IBD or who cares for someone with IBD.
January 26, 2023
I couldn’t stop reading this book. This is a rare gem for a Kindle Unlimited book. It is a well-written, unflinching memoir of what it is like to have a very serious case of Crohn’s disease.
January 2, 2026
I got a great sense of comfort reading this. Dealing with Crohns for 15 years of my life, it was interesting the amount of similarities we have in our stories. There were parts where I felt validation in the feelings I've felt along my own health journey. Where I finally felt like someone "got it". You sometimes forget how much you go through on a year to year and day to day basis living with a chronic disease. When you finally step back and look at it as a whole, you begin to appreciate the little things and see how much you've overcome.
January 11, 2023
Amazing Story
I am in awe of the author's resiliency and determination to lead a normal life despite his debilitating condition. His love for life, Nicole and his boys provide the impetus necessary for him to wage a fierce battle. Could not put this book down!
I am in awe of the author's resiliency and determination to lead a normal life despite his debilitating condition. His love for life, Nicole and his boys provide the impetus necessary for him to wage a fierce battle. Could not put this book down!
February 20, 2023
My thanks to the author for sharing his journey - living with Crohn’s disease and dealing with multiple surgeries and hospitalizations, his story is indeed one of resilience and hope. Having lived with Crohn’s myself for 42 years, I can attest to the truth of this memoir.
May 18, 2022
Crohn's warrior
Candid story of the ups and downs of this disease rounded out by the gratefulness that comes after a long battle. Keep swimming Brad!!
Candid story of the ups and downs of this disease rounded out by the gratefulness that comes after a long battle. Keep swimming Brad!!
May 31, 2022
An important read for anyone going through a seemingly endless struggle with disease. How strong will and a loving partner prevail.
August 13, 2025
Excellent. I picked this book up randomly because it was at my work (a Pharma company) and knew nothing about it, nor the author. I knew a bit about Crohn's Disease but not with any familiarity or detail. Harris describes the disease- and life with the disease- with just the right amount of specifics. Drugs, drains, and procedures are recounted carefully and I was fascinated but never overwhelmed.
The author was so brave, and his resiliency is an inspiration. I kept thinking, "This poor guy," after each new turn for the worse, but quickly moved on from any pity to admiration about his work ethic and toughness. Harris never allowed himself to feel bad about his condition- he just buckled down and put in the work.
Harris' story of growing up from the 70s-90s was an interesting read, too, and I appreciated the pop culture references of going to bars and what kind of drinks were ordered and music was listened to.
Highly recommend.
The author was so brave, and his resiliency is an inspiration. I kept thinking, "This poor guy," after each new turn for the worse, but quickly moved on from any pity to admiration about his work ethic and toughness. Harris never allowed himself to feel bad about his condition- he just buckled down and put in the work.
Harris' story of growing up from the 70s-90s was an interesting read, too, and I appreciated the pop culture references of going to bars and what kind of drinks were ordered and music was listened to.
Highly recommend.
April 13, 2026
Stunning
This is a long read. Cannot be swallowed whole. As the grandmother of a newly diagnosed teen with Crohn’s disease, I suffered along with the author in my mind’s projection of my grandson’s future. Upon finishing the book I went immediately to Brad Harris’s website to be sure he was still thriving. He had so many setbacks, complications and medical missteps that I was really worried…probably because his frank narration and discussion of his disease made me feel intimately acquainted with him.
Throughout his vicissitudes, Brad remains mostly upbeat and “can do.” He shares a LOT, so maybe not appropriate for my young teenager now, but certainly in the long-term. Special kudos to the book for being well-written and well-edited. And warm wishes to the whole family. I hope my grandson will be as lucky.
This is a long read. Cannot be swallowed whole. As the grandmother of a newly diagnosed teen with Crohn’s disease, I suffered along with the author in my mind’s projection of my grandson’s future. Upon finishing the book I went immediately to Brad Harris’s website to be sure he was still thriving. He had so many setbacks, complications and medical missteps that I was really worried…probably because his frank narration and discussion of his disease made me feel intimately acquainted with him.
Throughout his vicissitudes, Brad remains mostly upbeat and “can do.” He shares a LOT, so maybe not appropriate for my young teenager now, but certainly in the long-term. Special kudos to the book for being well-written and well-edited. And warm wishes to the whole family. I hope my grandson will be as lucky.
June 10, 2022
Riveting, moving, well-told story of living with chronic illness, resilience, and gratitude. I cannot recommend it strongly enough! Thank you, Brad!
June 12, 2022
A patient centric story of an unrelenting chronic illness told with honesty and hope. I truly appreciated the book as a physician but also as a mother of daughter with Crohns.
September 8, 2023
Very intense memoir of living with a debilitating chronic disease. Not for everyone but I was riveted.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews