"The Man Who Couldn't Eat" by Jon Reiner (memoir)

[HeatherMN]

I just finished this book and wanted to share with everyone here. I believe it is fairly new, it was still in the new non-fiction section at the library.
It is a memoir written by a man, Jon Reiner, who has had Crohn's for ~30 years. It details his emergency surgery and subsequent infections/being NPO and on TPN/love of food and it's effects on him. It was interesting, always good to read about other people's journeys with this sucky disease. He spent a lot of time talking about food, so it may make you hungry for lots of things you shouldn't be eating! He also spent time talking about the effects of his disease on his wife and two young sons.
He also has a website, with book reviews and author signings. www.jonreiner.com

 

[sammies]

I'm reading this book now. It's as if he's read my mind! Wow!

 

[partyboy690]

Sometimes I feel like I whinge way too much about my symptoms and disease because there's no way I'm this bad, I can have awful days but from just your short synopsis it sounds dreadful

 

[SarahD]

Have just bought this book, thanks for the heads up!

 

[sammies]

I was surprised that it was difficult for me to finish this book--it hit so close to home. But I am immensely thankful I did. This week, I thought I was feeling grand, ate lots of foods I don't normally, put on my happy face and gusto body for the start of teaching, and ignored pain. Now I've been doubled over for 2 days. However, I find myself reflecting on the book: I was able to impose my own soft diet without deprivation bc Reiner gave me empathy-even though I've never met him. And, while I'm far from happy about it, I'll limit my activity in the next few days. Like Reiner, I've always been driven by hope which was mixed with some denial. But I think I'm moving toward acceptance without forfeiting the battle.

I hope he writes more.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I just got this book as well and look forward to reading it. I hope it's not depressing and has a positive ending for him.

 

[SarahD]

I didn't enjoy reading this book as much as I thought I would. I think possibly it was because many of the foods he was talking about enjoying so much I had no idea what they were - either we don't get them in the UK or we have different names for them - so I just couldn't relate. I made myself finish reading the book but it was hard work.