Danea Horn - Chronic Resilience: 10 Sanity-Saving Strategies for Women Coping with the Stress of Illness

Danea Horn has put an honest and wise voice to the intimate journey of illness. She lights a fire for self-compassion and puts stress in its place, while providing empowering suggestions for living with grace and Chronic Resilience. I highly recommend this groundbreaking book.

KRIS CARR, New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Sexy Diet

I highly recommend Chronic Resilience, not only to those who suffer from chronic illness but to those who love them. Danea Horn promises that her book will help the chronically ill become caregivers to themselves, and she deliversmagnificently. People with chronic illness need concrete tools for learning how to live with grace and purpose despite their difficult circumstances. This book offers those tools. It describes in detail ten practical guidelines for managing the stress and challenges of illness. Exercises are included so that readers can make each guideline their own and learn to incorporate it into their everyday lives. In addition, Ms. Horn not only shares her personal experiences working with these practical tools (which feels like chatting with an old friend), but also includes intimate conversations with nine other women who suffer from chronic illness. This book will help you transform the stress of chronic illness into a life of acceptance, purpose, and gratitude. It's a gem.

Toni Bernhard, author of How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers

Danea provides an invaluable perspective on how to be resilient when battling a chronic illness. A must read to help you navigate the emotions successfully.

Lori Hartwell, author of Chronically Happy: Joyful Living in Spite of a Chronic Illness

I love this book. It is funny, touching, and true. Chronic Resilience is a best friend for anyone impacted by chronic illness. Intimate and authentic, tender and wise, Danea offers everyone the benefit of her courageous triumph... a life well lived... debilitating diseases be danged!

PENELOPE YOUNG ANDRADE, LCSW, author of Emotional Medicine Rx: Cry When You're Sad, Stop When You're Done, Feel Good Fast

First published in 2013 by Conari Press, an imprint of

Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

With offices at:

665 Third Street, Suite 400

San Francisco, CA 94107

www.redwheelweiser.com

Copyright 2013 by Danea Horn

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Horn, Danea.

Chronic resilience: 10 sanity-saving strategies for women coping with the stress of illness / Danea Horn, CPC.

pages cm

Summary: Chronic illness comes with stress, and Chronic Resilience provides a complete self-help blueprint for managing the difficulties chronic illness presents. Certified life coach and speaker Danea Horn, who suffers from chronic kidney disease, infertility, and other demanding health challenges due to a birth disorder, offers techniques and ways to rebound from the pressures of having a body that's doing things you wish you could control. Chronic Resilience shows how to: Stop pushing yourself so hard. Use research to empower - not frighten - yourself. Let yourself be pissed! Train your troops in how to care for you. Cultivate focus and flexibility. Find things to be grateful for. Focus on what you can do, not what you can't. Each chapter also contains highlights of interviews with women dealing with chronic health issues ranging from cancer to organ transplant, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), MS, Cushing's disease, diabetes, and othersProvided by publisher.

Summary: Chronic Resilience provides a complete self-help blueprint for having a good life while managing the difficulties every chronic illness presentsProvided by publisher.

ISBN 978-1-57324-594-4 (pbk.)

1. WomenMental healthPopular works. 2. WomenDiseasesPopular works. 3. Chronic diseasesPopular works. 4. Self-care, HealthPopular works. I. Title.

RC451.4.W6H668 2013

616'.044082dc23

2013000160

Cover design by Nita Ybarra

Interior by Maureen Forys, Happenstance Type-O-Rama

Printed in the United States of America

F

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials Z39.48-1992 (R1997).

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For Phillip
Love is deep, sweet and strong.

This book is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you have any specific concerns about your health or nutrition, please consult a qualified health-care professional.

My deepest gratitude to Meredith Israel Thomas, Sarah Ramey, Charity Tillemann-Dick, Lauren Nastasi, Kelly Young, Nicole Lemelle, Sharmyn McGraw, Sandra Joseph, and Mari Ruddy, my warrior sisters who contributed their chronic resilience. Your stories, honesty, and grace made a profound impact on the book and my life. I am a better patient because of each of you.

To my editor Caroline Pincus, your commitment and enthusiasm were essential ingredients in creating this book. You have been an absolute joy to work with. I appreciate everyone at Red Wheel/Weiser immensely for your dedication and guidance. A special thank you to Jan Johnson for your interest, encouragement, and introducing me to Caroline.

Dr. Danielle Vecchio, my pediatrician. Thank you for being there to welcome me into the world and to care so compassionately for my health. You have always been an integral piece of my family's life and we love you.

To Dr. Hardy Hendren and the other doctors and nurses who have cared for me. The passion and concern you have for your patients is evident in so many ways. You made me whole and I am so thankful.

To Trisha Sterling, you are my saving grace. The generosity you offered to a new friend helped bring my book to life.

Thank you to Lee and Shayne Fischer, my in-laws. Your support has been a cherished part of the writing process.

To Feroshia Knight, my friend and mentor. Thank you for the education you blessed me with and for your steadfast belief in my potential as a coach and game-changer.

Mahogany Maalac, Kelly Taylor, Kelly Hoffman, and Carolyn Cuozzo, your friendship has made it possible to accomplish more than I could have dreamed of. Thank you for the phone calls, brunches, notes, late nights, and welcoming hugs. You have my heart.

To my in-laws, Bob and Cheryl Burquist, I feel incredibly blessed to have you as family. Cheryl, I cherish our relationship. I am so thankful for your love and mothering of me.

John Foos, Dad, my biggest fan. Thank you for always seeing the light in me, especially when I'm struggling to find it myself. You have taught me to love in spontaneous and compassionate ways. The tug on my heart toward the mountains is there because of you, and I am so grateful for that.

Marilyn Joy, Mom, my kindred spirit. You embody the love only a mother can. At 10,000 feet alone with your two year old, your strength became my resilience. Thank you for your devotion as a caregiver, mother, and friend. You continually demonstrate selfless kindness in ways I can only aspire to. I am immeasurably blessed to be your daughter.