Out of the Woods: Healing from Lyme Disease for Body, Mind, and Spirit

In June of this year (2015) I got a giant rash on the back of my right leg just below the knee. It was painful, and not in the shape of a bulls-eye. After about five days with it, I went to the doctor because it was really achy and would occasionally sting really badly. At the little mini-mart clinic a young Indian doctor with a name I couldn't pronounce prescribed me one week of antibiotics. The rash went away and so did the discomfort, but a whole lot of symptoms came raging back, leading me to go to my PCP and I got diagnosed positively with Lyme disease. I was actually really happy, because I started reading about it and realized that I'd probably had it in chronic form for many years, and it was not just stress like everyone was telling me.I chose this book among several to read, as I wanted to hear about someone's experience who had struggled with the disease and was able to get better. Overall I thought Makris did good work, but her writing style did not really appeal to me. Instead of just relating her story in simple prose, she litters the books with too many metaphors and on way more than one occasion refers to herself in terms that seem self-aggrandizing. Here is one example: 'I watched the laquered periwinkle sky mute to an onyx glow, my heartbeat quickened by tension.' Sounds nice, but really? Periwinkle sky? And: 'Me, the stalwart sailor who could jibe my Sonar sailboat, crisp as a knife's edge, in the dead heat of a wind-fraught race...' Some may like this, not me.On the other hand, she relates her struggle in vivid brutal honesty on many occasion, with some of her best writing in the chapter 'eagle's wings.' Here are a few quotes from the book I liked: 'Days turning into nights, nights into days, with me falling down a dark elevator shaft of despair.' 'The air conditioners drone, the house lies still, like a lion lounging in the heat of the African plains.' She hits really deeply with this one: 'Faithfully, each day, I force myself out of my bed and pajamas. If I linger too long in either, my spirits flag so deeply into a plummeting trench of despair and fear that it's close to impossible to fathom a return to wellness.' One more: 'My insignificance begins to take precedence in my thought patterns. Who am I really? Why am I even here?'At her best she really hits home when she is describing the experience such that we can almost feel it with her, and then at other times the language is a little too flowery and perhaps at times she is imagining herself the heroine of her own bio. The parts about her metaphysical workshop did not interest me at all, although she did tie in her experience she gained there to a wrenching event near the end. Some of the romantic stuff was a little overboard as well. 'At first I thought it was a raven in my dream. Then I blinked and I saw it was you, turning in your sleep. You're bewitching, you know.'The list of resources for healing is in part two is well done, and I am sure will be quite useful for those who read the book. I do have to state that her overall view is lacking in two important ways, however extreme these may seem. First: We need to make ourselves radically healthier to prevent disease in the first place, and this involves a comprehensive restructuring in all of the world's systems. Second: Although she does mention the trouble Dr. Rife went through, she does not take a staunch position against the fact that we are dealing with a system that is intentionally keeping us sick. I have no time to elaborate on these points, but they are critical, not just for Lyme disease, but for every other disease and quality of life in general.Overall I would recommend the book, yet I believe women will relate to it better than men. It is probably one of the best out there if you are sick and need to feel like you've got a buddy who's been there.

Excellent book. It reads like an enjoyable and entertaining true story and informs like a manual. There is so much to learn and enjoy in this well written book. I couldn't put it down. The author is a talented storyteller and an inspiring and amazing woman. Everyone should read this book!

Highly recommend. EVERYONE should read this book. It is easy to read and understand, and it is an excellent source that helps people become aware of Lyme's Disease symptoms that are often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or not recognized by doctors. When left untreated, Lyme's causes long-term health problems. This book will help you become your own health advocate. It is an excellent source of Lyme's Disease awareness and suggests treatments and protocols for recovery. Knowing the symptoms can help you control this disease in its early stages. It is a must read, especially if you or your children spend time outdoors (even in your own backyard).

This is very well-written book that provides hope and valuable information for those poor souls -- and their loved ones -- who suffer from the debilitating and soul-wrenching effects of Lyme disease.

It was a bit too spiritual for me and read like a romance novel at times. Whereas the book "Why Can't I Get Better" is heavy on the medical jargon, this book is the exact opposite.

This book was well written and very informative. I found it very helpful as I am struggling with many health issues at this time in my life. I especially appreciated all of the resources that she listed at the end of the book.

beautiful memoir. Wished there were a little more information about the disease and treatments. Overall though, highly recommend for those who have Lyme or who have a loved one with Lyme.

Great info! Very helpful and Informational

utter drivel bought by accident; meant for gullible touchy feely types who enjoy paying to hear other whine.