Awkward Bitch: My Life with MS

I purchased this book because I've been interested in reading more about MS. After reading some of the reviews and summaries about this book, I went into it without thinking that it was going to provide a lot of answers, instead I expected a story of one woman's struggle with MS and that was what I got. I never got the impression that she wrote this book to be the next Bronte, and I find it a little off-putting to read some of the critique of her writing style. To me, the way it was written made it feel more like she was talking to a friend and not trying to impress anyone. There are some points in the book where she does sound a little egotistical, but she has every right to be, and I give her kudos for continuing to work and function as well as she has with the extent of some of her problems. A lot of people don't seem to realize how MS can be very different from one person to the next, and not everyone with MS will have the same issues that Marlo has had. This is a book that is worth reading, and it's worth watching some of her videos as well, because she does put herself out there and shows a kind of bravery that a lot of people don't have.

Great book! Learned a lot!

This is a great read for anyone who enjoys comical yet tragic play by play, raw, real life.Marlo in this case, is a fast paced, on the move self proclaimed fashionista. She and her husband take their dreams and are determined to make them a reality at almost any cost until the unthinkable hits. And even then their dreams were not dashed only bruised and bloodied In Marlo's case she was driven to her knees by the MonSter called Multiple Sclerosis.Native of New York, diagnosed while living and working in London. Sadly, socialized medicine did not help her situation. She explains the downside in this book. She fought rigorously to find hope. This book "Awkward Bitch : my life with MS" is that storyThe title is awful but the book is fantasticly written. There is nothing "awkward or b!tchy" about her! I look forward to her picking up the pen again and pouring out the next chapters of her life. A lot has changed since the final line of book 1.I loved it so much I read it in one day. And made a book recomedation to a few thousand other folks battling the same beast.

Awkward Bitch is a humorous memoir about Marlo Parmelee, sales manager of designer fashion by day and musician by night. In her early 30s, Marlo - who had just moved from New York to London with her husband - began experiencing the early symptoms of multiple sclerosis. As a person who lives with this disease myself, I found her depiction to be both startling and all too familiar. In particular, she does an exceptional job of describing the strange visual disturbances that are so common among MSers, and I wish I had purchased the paperback edition of this book, rather than the Kindle, so that I could pass it around to my family and friends and give them a better understanding of what it's like to have MS. What I found most surprising was the woeful state of socialized healthcare in the UK. Reading about the red tape that Marlo had to deal with to begin treatment for her disease really made me appreciate the American healthcare system - and that's something I never thought I'd hear myself say. She had to wait five months to start injection therapy, whereas I began treatment within a week or two of diagnosis. Marlo's story was a true revelation for me in that regard. The fact that she went on to become something of a musical ambassador for people with disabilities really inspired me.

Made me laugh, was like someone was taking notes from my life. Funny Not Funny, but a sense of humor is needed.

Diagnosed with MS a year ago, I seen this book and immediately knew I needed to read it. Reading it I felt like I was the author. Leading up to my diagnosis, I had so much in common with the experiences that happened in here life. This book is a great read for those with and without MS.

I felt like this was my story. Very well written

Love it so far!

I can so relate to this person...thanks, it's a great read!

I have MS and found a reference to this book on Facebook and then did a search on Amazon for it and I'm so glad I did!This is exactly what the title says, it's sort of a diary of the author's life and experiences leading up to and since her diagnosis with MS. Even though you may think that this is going to be a boring recitation of symptoms of an illness (which it certainly is not), you will find that the story as a whole is funny, sad, inspiring and all sorts of other things rolled into one.It gives an insight to the condition that a great many people don't understand .. what is it? how can it affect the person who has it? how might it affect the family and loved ones? how might it affect someone I work with?This is a book that should be read by EVERYONE. My only reservation here is for those newly diagnosed with MS - if this is you, please read this, NOT as what WILL happen to you, these are the experiences of ONE person and you are reminded that all the professionals and anyone who lives with this debilitating condition will tell you that MS affects EVERYONE DIFFERENTLY. My own experiences do overlap some of the author's but then others don't and other people with MS may say that none of their symptoms overlap but they can see similarities in feelings.There are a few very poignant quotes which I have stolen from the book to use in my everyday life with people who don't fully understand how the condition can make me feel but I'm sure we will get the message out there eventually.

Loved this book couldn't put it down

I was amazed to read everything I experience written down, and to realize that I really am not alone. Fantastic.

This book is fantastic to read if a loved one has MS. It was so useful to know it from the perspective who has it. It was like reading about our experiences about the symptoms. My husband suffered many of them before the foot drop and optic neuritis prompted diagnosis. I feel quite guilty that I have felt impatient with him over the years. We have hard a hard year this year and coming to terms with it all is difficult. This wonderful book shows that acceptance is the key to moving forward and being open about the condition helps a great deal. I know I don't have MS but it is an Awkward Bitch that effects the lives of everyone around. This brutally honest account with sassy undertones makes being part of the MS world a crusade for kicking its arse and living life to the full because of it. I cried when I read this book and smiled too. It is bittersweet just like MS. It would be great if William could write a book too. My husband always looked in the mirror asking if he looked like himself and that he felt different - I thought he was having a mid life crisis and being vain. I understand now. Thank you for writing this book.