| Title | : | Run Down: An Endurance Athlete's Race Against Chronic Fatigue |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | Published April 26, 2022 |
Run Down is the powerful new memoir by Dr. Michael Gallagher that details his shocking decline from fit triathlete and chief of surgery to bedbound patient searching for answers to a mysterious illness born out of a harrowing bike trip through North Dakota’s Badlands.
Gallagher’s life is built on his ability to endure, but this is one race he cannot finish. He struggles to find the cause of his illness as well as the courage to survive.
Misdiagnosed and misunderstood by his colleagues, Gallagher is forced to weather the worst of his illness alone, his isolation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which will, ironically, provide clues to his health.
Gallagher grapples to find meaning in a life that has been decimated by an invisible enemy.
Poignant and perceptive, Run Down explores the the power of positive thinking and the potency of love, family and perseverance to providing meaning and joy.
Run Down: An Endurance Athlete's Race Against Chronic Fatigue Reviews
-
As someone who may be recovering from moderate to severe ME/CFS (also erroneously called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) after 8 years, this book was of great interest to me. Dr. Gallagher's journey has been very similar to mine and I am familiar with people in the ME/CFS community that he mentions. He is fortunate that he does not suffer from "brain fog" like so many of us do (including me). It is difficult for me to write coherently although I was a technical writer in the environmental field for many years.
I also just enjoyed his style of writing, sense of humor and learning about him, his family and his friends. Life happens to everyone, not just those who have a chronic illness. His story also gave me hope, something I can always use more of. -
Really love this book. Weather or not you have chronic fatigue, the disease that the author has, this book is amazing. The first half of the book is about his life growing up in Colorado, mountain biking, skiing, going to college, and then later going to med school. The second half is about when he starts to show symptoms of chronic fatigue and eventually gets diagnosed after jumping through hoop after hoop, going to doctor after doctor, and no one knowing what is going on. Really helps to put things in perspective seeing someone go from running ultra marathons to not being able to get out of bed.
-
I don’t typically read non fiction, but the storytelling in this memoir forced me to continually remind myself of its truth. I loved everything about this book. It made me laugh, cry, feel insanely grateful for the ability to move my body, and reminded me that advocating for your health is powerful. This is a captivating book with lessons tucked in every chapter.
-
Thoughtful and inspiring
Michael Gallagher’s book is a testament to the challenges he and others face dealing with ME. The memoir is filled with a wonderful mix of life before and after his diagnosis, and brings into focus the myriad difficulties someone living with ME have to endure. Dr Gallagher shows that it is possible to live and thrive while battling a chronic disease. I really enjoyed this book. Thanks.
