In Unexpected , Dr. Jill Carnahan shares her story of facing life-altering illness, fighting for her health, and overcoming sickness using both science and faith so that others can learn to live their own transformative stories.
There have probably been times in your life when you’ve felt all alone and unsure where to turn for answers. It may come with the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness, the loss of a job, a death of a loved one, or an unexpected circumstance that threatened to change everything you know to be true in your life and relationships. In Finding Resilience through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith, Dr. Jill Carnahan introduces a new paradigm for readers who are going through or want to prepare for those uncertain times. Dr. Jill’s riveting and compassionate exploration of healing through functional medicine helps replace darkness and fear with hope, resilience, profound healing, unconditional love, and unexpected miracles.
Unexpected reveals practical advice that can be readily used for conditions like mold toxicity, cancer, autoimmune conditions, Lyme disease, and more. Dr. Jill’s raw and honest account of her own challenges in facing a life-threatening illness, living with autoimmunity and mold toxicity, and working in a medical system that has no tolerance for stepping outside the lines, offers a new path of empowerment for taking control of our own health and wellbeing. For the skeptic or the faithful, Unexpected is a valuable guide for living an extraordinary life of love and resilience.
This book reads as a memoir and introduces you to the power of faith and functional medicine. By the end you will also fall in love with Dr Jill and wish she were your doctor.
I really wanted to give "Unexpected" five stars because I believe Dr. Jill Carnahan and functional medicine are healing forces for the world; however, I don't want to read* this book again, so a solid four stars it is.
It was a privilege to hear Dr. Jill discuss her life. (She reminded me of a religious version of Dr. Judith Orloff.) I was so proud to witness how she made it through such harrowing times and emerged with more joy, more love, and a whole lot of wisdom. She is a living example of what we all desire: the (self)permission to live and heal authentically.
I would recommend this book to my religious friends who have a plethora of health issues, but are not open to anything outside of allopathic** medicine.
*I read it with my ears. ;)
**Note: I accidentally wrote "allopathetic" medicine which made me chuckle because for so much as some individuals claim that people/professionals like Dr. Jill speak and follow "non scientific fluff," my decades of personal experience with the medical system has not been beneficial—in fact, it has been harmful in a multitude of ways. Allopathic medicine has its place, and science will catch up to pioneers like Dr. Jill. Heck. There actually appears to be quite a bit of science available to suggest the "fluff" is pretty intelligent stuff, but it seems to require a bit of seeking.
A good primer to the ideas of functional medicine blended with the personal story of a traditionally trained physician who went through her own physical health challenges which makes it more memorable and easy to understand for anyone non-medical. Some questionable spiritual type practices (speaking as a Catholic I reference to eastern traditions often tied to pagan ideology/religions that may need adjustment for the Christian/ Catholic even though the author seems to have Christian origins). Often these spiritual ties to mental health practices are overlooked as neutral or “harmless” - but these were by no means huge part of the book as a whole, just something I noticed as I often run into this in my functional medicine practice as a Catholic provider.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
For anyone wanting to jump into the world of functional medicine, this is the book to read! Every chapter I read I felt more and more understood. Her chapter on mold toxicity put into words what I haven’t been able to. Dr. Jill helped me to not feel so alone in my healing journey and I know this is a book I will continuously refer back to. Thank you Dr. Jill for sharing the most vulnerable and heartbreaking parts of your story to help others heal and to continue to have hope in the process.
This is a helpful book in understanding the functional medicine path for autoimmune disease.
The overuse of the word ‘miracle’ made me a little crazy, but the author’s story and journey to healing, as well as the information about testing and treatments was worth my time.
This book and Dr. Carnahan’s journey truly spoke to me. I finished it in a couple of settings. The first story is very sad, but don’t let it stop. In between her personal stories as a patient and a doctor, she also gives wonderful advice about living with various diagnoses and trusting your own intuition. I made some life changes because of reading this so I appreciate it very much.
Dr. Jill Carnahan is an amazing, strong woman! Her book, Unexpected: Finding Resilience through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith has empowered me and helped me to believe in myself. It’s hard to believe she has been through these trials in her life, and she still has so much faith and love inside to give to others. Facing the hardships of a young child and still pushing through her tough childhood to go to medical school only to find a sickness that may alter her entire life, and then persevering through this illness to complete medical school and become a doctor. She is awe-inspiring!
Throughout this book, you will find her life story, but more than that, you will find her wisdom in life. This is what makes reading her book so great. I found her advice and suggestions in the book to be more than just some advice from a doctor. I found it to be a recommendation from a very wise friend.
My takeaway from this book came from something she herself went through. “Because I never created limits for myself, I was adding a thick, toxic layer of stress and overwhelm to an already taxed sensitive system. By this time, my habit of suppressing difficult emotions, like anger, fear, or sadness, was so deeply ingrained that I had no idea the degree of physical and emotional stress I was actually dealing with. I never asked for anything, never vented my frustrations, or complained. Instead, I just smiled and did whatever anyone asked, stuffing my feelings and my needs deeper inside me with every passing day.” This was such a relatable quote. I live in a household of 12 people. 3 generations of family that can sometimes be overwhelming, to say the least. I find myself doing the exact same thing. This book taught me to accept that boundaries are needed for us. Without them, we can not exist for long. The toxins we are inducing within our bodies will not allow it, and we will slowly wither away.
An inspirational read for me, for all who find themselves in need of wisdom and faith. Both are needed in life, in the face of adversity and uncertainty, so you can live the way you were meant to live. With love, good health, and prosperity.
"Unexpected" by Dr. Jill Carnahan is a remarkable book that left a lasting impact on me. I was genuinely impressed by the author's openness in sharing her personal story, which not only added depth but also made the content highly relatable and authentic. Throughout the pages, the book beautifully explores the themes of resilience and healing, offering a wealth of invaluable insights and practical guidance. Dr. Carnahan's expertise shines through as she navigates the complexities of overcoming a diagnosis and learning to heal. One aspect that truly enhanced my reading experience was the inclusion of thought-provoking quotes at the beginning of each chapter. These selected quotations provided a broader perspective and deepened my understanding of the book's central message. Dr. Carnahan's ability to interweave personal anecdotes, expert knowledge, and motivational quotes creates a multidimensional reading experience that captivates and inspires. I wholeheartedly recommend "Unexpected" to anyone seeking a transformative read on resilience, learning to heal, and triumphing over life's unexpected challenges. Whether you're facing a health issue, grappling with personal setbacks, or simply seeking inspiration, this book offers a wealth of wisdom and practical strategies to guide you on your journey toward resilience and personal growth. Prepare to be enlightened, encouraged, and empowered as you delve into the pages of this extraordinary book.
Life is uncertain, and we can get hit with unexpected and devastating news at any moment. It’s hard to know what to do when that happens, either to oneself or a loved one. That is what Dr. Jill Carnahan’s book Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith endeavors to answer.
Dr. Carnahan is able to speak from personal experience about how difficult it can be to navigate life’s challenges, both medical ones and those pertaining to relationships. Since it’s often impossible to separate the two, her practical advice on these matters is refreshing and seems genuinely heartfelt.
What I liked most about this book is that it did not discount either the power of science or faith when examining the human capacity for healing. So many philosophies focus on either one or the other, while never allowing for the possibility that both are equally valid.
This book is funny, painful, and liberating in equal measure. It’s clear that the writing of it was a labor of love for Dr. Carnahan. She deserves all the credit in the world for delving so deeply into her personal life so that she can both instruct her readers and give them hope during their darkest moments.
"Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith" written by Dr. Jill Carnahan is a gripping tale of perseverance, healing, and hope. I certainly enjoyed reading this. Through her remarkable story, the author weaves a new paradigm of healing, where science and faith unite to bring forth miracles in the face of darkness and fear. This book is timely, offering solace to those experiencing life-altering circumstances, be it illness, loss, or other unexpected challenges.
The practical advice shared in each chapter is a treasure trove for patients and practitioners alike. Dr. Carnahan's own journey with life-threatening illness, autoimmunity, and mold toxicity adds authenticity and relatability to her message of empowerment. The book not only delves into Functional Medicine but also presents a compassionate and inspiring perspective on healthcare.
"Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to take charge of their well-being and embrace resilience as they navigate life's unpredictable twists.
Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith is a book about deeply personal struggles and how anyone can find comfort and strength within them.
Many of Carnahan's struggles are detailed and lead to lessons that she learned that are to be shared with others. Carnahan writes lovingly of her childhood on a farm in Illinois with a large close family. Unfortunately, that farm life took a tremendous cost on her health. She developed allergies and fatigue and later breast cancer at a young age. The cause, she later discovered, was the highly toxic and carcinogenic chemicals that her father and other farmers used for their crops. This experience not only got her interested in science and medicine, but taught her the importance of trusting one's intuition, to study the environment and how to implement functional medicine, a systems based biology based model that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of the diseases.
Carnahan’s marriage taught her to trust and rely on others and find humor even in bad situations. Eventually, the marriage ended in divorce which taught Carnahan to learn to let go. These situations may run parallel to circumstances that readers find themselves in and can practice in their own lives.
Unexpected is a book that leads by example. It tells the readers that if Carnahan got through her troubles, so can they.
Dr. Jill Carnahan's book called "Unexpected" is a captivating and enlightening reading that masterfully blends her personal journey with essential protocols from the world of Functional Medicine. The author's storytelling prowess creates an emotional connection with readers, making her experiences of battling life-threatening illness and the complexities of the medical system both relatable and inspiring. The book's really practical and includes advice for various health conditions, such as mold toxicity, cancer, and autoimmune diseases; this is why it’s highly commendable. Dr. Carnahan empowers readers to embrace resilience and transform their lives, no matter the challenges they face.
This book will be cherished by both practitioners and patients for its invaluable insights into navigating the unpredictable path to health and healing. Dr. Carnahan's compassionate and inspiring approach shines through every page, making this a must-read for anyone seeking hope, love, and profound transformation in their lives.
I had been changing my life and this book, "Unexpected: Finding Resilience through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith", by Dr. Jill Carnahan helped me with that. It is a powerful exploration of health and healing that uniquely merges functional medicine, scientific insights, and faith-based perspectives. The section on resilience is a standout, offering practical guidance for enhancing physical and mental resilience. Dr. Carnahan explains complex medical concepts into understandable steps, making the book informative. The integration of faith adds a profound dimension, creating a holistic guide for well-being. This book is also transformative, providing a roadmap for navigating life's challenges with grace and healing. Highly recommended for those seeking a harmonious blend of different insights. It is a helpful book for starting a better life and healthier. 5/5 stars go for it. I will recommend this book to my father, and I hope to help him to have a better life.
I knew this narrative would lead me to amazing things just by looking at its cover, which colors inspire and invite. I lost half of my family and I know the deal of going through a healing process, but I needed a boost to finally thrive, the reason why I chose this book.
Dr. Jill Carnahan has been generous enough to help me look at things from another perspective through this inspirational narrative, which beautifully portrays his transformation from darkness and fear to a place of hope.
His words have a remarkable ability to bridge the gap between the written pages and me. He conjures emotions and experiences that resonate deep within my heart, making me feel as though he was speaking directly to me.
His prose is a dance of eloquence and simplicity, effortlessly drawing readers into the heart of his words. Every sentence is crafted with care, flowing like a gentle stream of consciousness that touches us.
"Unexpected: Finding Resilience through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith" by Dr. Jill Carnahan is an inspiring and empowering read. This book beautifully weaves together the realms of functional medicine, scientific research, and faith, offering a fresh perspective on holistic healing. Dr. Carnahan's expertise shines through as she skillfully guides readers on a journey towards resilience and well-being.
Her writing is both informative and compassionate, making complex medical concepts accessible to all readers. By blending evidence-based practices with the power of faith, she provides a comprehensive approach to health and healing.
"Unexpected" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to take charge of their health and embrace a more integrative approach to wellness. Dr. Carnahan's passion for her subject matter is evident, making this book a must-read for those looking to harness the power of resilience and thrive in life's unexpected challenges.
Unexpected: Finding Resilience through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith was written by an incredible woman, Dr. Jill Carnahan. In this book, Carnahan interacts with the readers by showing them the ups and downs of her medical issues and how she was able to overcome the toxic environment while battling for her life. As someone who went through a line of doctors, medicine, and hospitals, I was able to relate to Dr Carnahan's story, the moments of desperation and the not knowing were eating me alive! I understand now that being open to the unexpected, even though it is difficult to achieve, gets easy if you are willing to choose self-love! Carnahan talks about "toxic load and infectious burden" and to me, this was key to understanding that we need to have a system where we can share our problems with people we love so they can help us take the burden! I really enjoyed this book; it is a must for anyone searching for resilience!
"Unexpected" by Dr. Jill Carnahan offers a profound exploration of the interconnectedness between science, faith, and personal growth. What struck me the most was its unwavering belief in the fusion of these elements for true healing. The author's narrative beautifully unveils the intricate dance between our beliefs, biology, and resilience, painting a captivating portrait of holistic well-being. What I found most valuable was its revelation of the profound links between the body, the soul, and science, uncovering the secrets of deep healing. This book is an inspiring path toward integrity and vitality. Its ability to redefine resilience by showcasing the surprising synergy between science and faith was incredibly enlightening. Carnahan's story resonates with optimism in every chapter, taking us on a journey toward well-being, and if you're going through a healing process, I highly recommend giving it a read.
This book made a huge impact on my life so I hope you have the opportunity to read it. Unexpected by Jill Carnahan is like a road map for resilience, health, and hope. Carnahan's personal journey, wrapped in this book, is relatable and touching. She doesn't just talk about functional medicine and faith, she lives them. It's a compelling read that makes you feel understood and gives you real insight into navigating health challenges. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for inspiration and guidance on their own path to healing. I usually don't feel so connected to medical reading, I always felt that each story was more tragic than the other, but with this read I can finally feel related and not scared but motivated. What I loved the most was the chapter about seeking wisdom and embrace uncertainty; I felt that all the stories in this particular chapter were such an eye opener. Recommended!
“Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith” By Dr. Jill Carnahan is the perfect tool to transform you from your head to your feet. This book was very useful to me first because I felt identified with it, because even though I have not had a serious illness, on many occasions, I felt alone and without faith. Also, in the chapter on "how to transform toxicity", I discovered that a great part of the suffering is caused by me and that is changing in my life thanks to this text. Personally, I am a person who finds it hard to reconcile faith and science, but this book was the perfect way to find a middle ground between the two and the way that the author connect and explain everything is just perfect. This is an easy-to-read book, yet it is still very profound and inspiring. I totally recommend you to read this!
This motivational self-help book presents us with thought-provoking insights into life and how best to approach it. It is well-written and I appreciate that the author combines her faith in God with her belief in medicine and science.
Culminating in a chapter about choosing unconditional love, in which the author describes losing her husband’s love after twenty years of marriage and how she overcame the loss, this book is truly remarkable. Her words “the brutal feeling of his rejection was the beginning of my own awakening” ring true, as well as the quote “Heartbreak is not always a sad ending; sometimes it sets in motion a profound transformation. It can open the door to absolutely loving yourself… and learning what kind of partner would actually support your happiness”. A definite five stars for me.
Unexpected by Dr. Jill Carnahan is a journey of wonder and hope that the author takes in a fight for illness and overcomes it with both science and spiritual help respectively. Dr. Jill’s story is a beacon of light for those suffering from illness, loss of a loved ones or a life altering circumstances. She discusses various aspects but the one most important is to learn to not give-up, resilience and strength. Each chapter is a reserve of well-researched knowledge and stories to learn from. I immensely appreciated the plane ride incident that author shared, their exchange and the Sister reaching out a year later. It’s amazing how the higher purpose of caring can break barriers of every sort. This has been an emotional read for me overall and a necessary one too to gain a different perspective. I highly recommend this for all to read and share.
It’s a book very hard to put down, actually more of an autobiography with helpful health information throughout. The book is an unusual one in the holistic category with a unique faith-based perspective you’ll enjoy. If you’ve ever suffered any time of chronic illness, the book is chock full of encouragement. The text is heavy on heartfelt and soulful information combined with medicinal advice. This woman experienced an inspiring, incredible journey. Take her advice to improve your total health and well-being. It lets you know you can rise above a devastating illness as a stronger, wiser individual. I admire the kindred soul who composed the book who has weathered difficulties in an extraordinary manner without the mindset of a victim. It is a book of hope. Read it!
Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith by Dr. Jill Carnahan is a medical autobiography in which the founder and Medical Director of Flatiron Functional Medicine in Louisville, Colorado details her account of taking on breast cancer and autoimmune disease. It was refreshing to read her honest account of her struggles, while being able to compare them with how far she has come. I think it's fantastic that she helps other people find the underlying causes of their diseases now. I came across Dr. Carnahan because of Break the Mold, which both educated and terrified me about the dangers of mold toxicity. It was great to read a more personal account in this book.
“Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith” by Dr. Jill Carnahan is just wow! I LOVED this book. It really opens up minds that were totally negative before. I saw it in my mother. She was diagnosed with cancer a long time ago. The treatment is anything but fun and there have been a lot of ups and downs in the journey of trying to overcome this. But what this book did is incredible. It managed to replace my mother's dark ways of thinking and her fear with hope, deep healing and resilience. It’s incredible how much your mindset can change in your physical health. This just showed me once again that mind and body are one and that we should not neglect any of them if we want to get better and stay healthy.
Dr. Jill Carnahan shares her inspiring story of healing in "Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith", which offers hope and guidance to those facing challenges in their lives. She provides practical advice for various health conditions, inspiring empowerment and resilience in uncertain times.
For me the most helpful part of the book is the chapter about transforming toxicity, which guided me a lot in keeping my calm and converting negative energy to positive one, like a filter. It's also about self-love and appreciation of life which nobody can help you with unless you help yourself. The only person who can help you is yourself, and reading other people's experiences as a great empowering tool to improve one's well being
In the meaningful pages of “Unexpected” by Dr. Jill Carnahan, we are shown that it is important to remain open to the unexpected and are guided to combine our belief in science and medicine with our belief in God. The author starts with a touching preface describing a young patient’s final, but happy days. She continues with seven chapters, each with an inspiring heading such as “How to Transform Toxicity”. I love the way the author combines her own observations and experiences with uplifting quotes and occasional Bible verses. The final chapter on unconditional love is one of the most powerful ones and I have read it twice already. This book is fabulous as a gift and is a source of inspiration that you yourself will return to time and again.
''Unexpected: Finding Resilience through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith'' is one of those books that you should read if you are looking for inspiration or if you are going through a difficult illness. Dr. Jill Carnahan shares with us her story of overcoming breast cancer when she was 25 years old. In this book, the author gave us a guide on how to overcome this type of situation; chapter by chapter you will find information on functional medicine and the importance of your faith in this situation. I have to say that this book is amazing and it is interesting to see this disease from this point of view and how she could survive. The information that she shares here is very valuable and for sure will help you even if you are not sick.
Thought–provoking and moving from the very first page, this story is a real example of resilience. “Unexpected: Finding Resilience through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith” is a magnificent book by Dr Jill Carnahan. The author tells readers her life story as a doctor facing breast cancer. This book is short but touching; my eyes turn red and wet from the first page I read until the final stop. I found truly inspiring the story of Alex, one of the author´s youngest patients who faced a terrible disease. Also, how the combination of science, faith, knowledge and wisdom helped her to face difficult times and how the writer transmits this to her patients and relatives. I think this is a captivating must read for any human being that needs a motivation in life.
Unexpected is a book that brings to the table a topic really hard to treat: Prolonged illness. I think it's a very delicate subject; many people go through different diseases and no one thinks it's going to happen to you, and when it does, it hits you hard.
Jill Carnahan writes with experience and knowledge, sharing her own process and how she managed to move forward. If I had to choose a chapter, I would say the one that impacted me, and made me rethink certain aspects of my life, is Chapter 6, "How to transform toxicity". It gave me tools to change my environment and helped me to detect it sooner.