Uncomfortably Numb: a memoir by Meredith O’Brien

Uncomfortably Numb: a memoir by Meredith O’Brien- 266 pages

Book Blurb:

Book Blurb

It begins with numbness on her left leg. Then it spreads. Even though an MRI finds a “mass” on her brainstem, it takes two more years for Meredith O’Brien to learn what is causing that numbness. Months after her 65-year-old mother dies from a fast-moving cancer, weeks after her father is hospitalized and she experiences an unexpected job change, she learns she has multiple sclerosis. Suddenly, Meredith, a married mother of three teens, has to figure out how to move forward into a life she no longer recognizes. Reimagining her life as a writer and an educator, as a mother and a spouse, she has to adjust to the restrictions MS imposes on her. It is a life, altered.”

My Review: 4 stars – Guest Review

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Uncomfortably Numb is a wonderful, absorbing memoir where the author chronicles her transformation after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. O’Brien, who is an author/journalist by trade, writes about her life pre- and post-diagnosis, and provides an honest account of how her diagnosis impacted her life and family. The author shares the long diagnostic process where many doctors did not take her seriously. O’Brien writes with openness of heart and insight. I found her to be honest, relatable, and authentic. I admired her strength, courage, and perseverance as she finally accepts her diagnosis and learns to adapt to her “new normal.”  The author was both down to earth and inspiring. As O’Brien struggles with anger at her physical limitations, trying to adapt to her “new normal”, and hold on to her identity as a writer, she states that her “reluctance to move forward into uncertainty is rooting me in place, paralyzing me.” 

Throughout the book, O’Brien showcases her talents as an investigative journalist by weaving in medical reports, physicians’ notes, and lots of valuable information about MS. She also spends a lot of time talking about her wonderfully supportive family. Although parts of the book were repetitive, I felt that this was reflective of her experience with this chronic and unpredictable disease. Prospective readers should know that this book is about much more than MS. There are universal themes throughout, and lessons that the reader can take away and apply to their own lives. Many readers who have chronic medical conditions, or who have family members with health struggles will identify with the author’s experiences and take away valuable lessons for coping and ultimately accepting their diagnosis. For the author, this included giving up control, and working “alongside” the disease, not against it. The author is an impressive person and will be a role model for many. This was a worthwhile read that I recommend. Reviewed by Guest Fairy Ronna.

Quotes I liked:

Life, I concluded, was a combination of what happened to you and how you reacted to random events, to things you pursued, and to opportunities you were afforded.”

“You can choose your attitude.”