Everything is Not Peachey

One Woman's Pursuit of Happiness in the Face of Chronic Illness

Non-Fiction - Memoir
186 Pages
Reviewed on 01/27/2025
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Author Biography

Lisa Peachey resides in New Mexico with her husband Dene, their three dogs—Sprout, Lewis, and Clark, and Sprout's invisible Fae friends. In addition to her books, Lisa manages PeacheyReport.com, a comprehensive database designed for people living with allergies and sensitivities, as well as those embracing a vegan, vegetarian, or fragrance-free lifestyle.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Everything is Not Peachey by Lisa Peachey is a courageous memoir about life with chronic illness that offers hope without sugarcoating reality. Peachey offers a raw, honest account of shifting from health to relentless medical challenges, providing hope and practical guidance for those facing similar battles. Through detailed and often vulnerable storytelling, she chronicles her journey from an active, career-focused life to one shaped by chronic illness, exploring the complex emotions and practical challenges that come with such a dramatic life change. Her narrative skillfully balances the harsh realities of chronic illness with moments of unexpected joy and discovery, creating a testament to human resilience that resonates with both patients and caregivers. Peachey describes navigating healthcare systems and maintaining relationships while managing chronic illness. She offers practical value for readers in similar situations, and her detailed exploration of identity transformation and the search for purpose beyond traditional measures of success is sure to resonate deeply with anyone facing life-altering challenges.

Author Lisa Peachey writes with a voice that feels like a trusted friend sharing hard-earned wisdom over coffee in a casual but clear way. I enjoyed her engaging, deeply personal prose, filled with sharp insights that cut through common misconceptions about chronic illness, a subject very close to my heart as a sufferer for many years. I particularly admire how she transforms difficult experiences into moments of profound understanding and even occasional humor, making the heavy subject matter more approachable without ever diminishing its seriousness and certainly keeping the realities of constant pain, tiredness, and threats to health at the forefront. The blend of personal experience and advocacy creates a powerful resource for both patients and their support networks, while her ability to find moments of joy and meaning amid suffering offers hope without falling into toxic positivity that goes nowhere. Her frank discussion of the emotional and psychological impacts of chronic illness also creates space for readers to acknowledge their struggles and feel less alone. Overall, I highly recommend Everything is Not Peachey to anyone seeking understanding about life with chronic illness, whether as a patient, caregiver, or compassionate friend.

Carol Thompson

Lisa Peachey’s memoir, Everything is Not Peachey, offers an unvarnished look at her life-altering experiences with chronic illness. The book details her story, serving as a personal narrative and a self-help guide for others navigating similar turbulent waters. Peachey’s journey from a seemingly healthy individual to a patient confronting an overwhelming medical condition forms the core of her powerful message. The memoir blends stark honesty with practical advice. Through her account, readers gain insight into chronic illness's emotional and physical challenges. The narrative is poignant, filled with descriptions of her struggles with doctors who were often perplexed, the isolation she experienced, and the significant financial and personal costs incurred along her journey. Yet, she refused to be defined by her illness.

Lisa Peachey recounts her trials and transforms them into an educational tool for others. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, a crucial takeaway for anyone feeling sidelined by their medical team. Furthermore, Peachey challenges readers to reconsider their dietary choices and environmental interactions, pointing out the less-discussed influences on health. Everything is Not Peachey is particularly effective in detailing how others can support loved ones with chronic conditions. This guidance is invaluable, offering specific, actionable steps that go beyond typical platitudes. The book provides a candid and instructive look at life with chronic illness. It successfully balances personal vulnerability with educational insights, making it an essential read for those affected directly or indirectly by chronic conditions. Peachey shares her story and offers a path forward for others, advocating for empowerment through knowledge and resilience.

Constance Stadler

Imagine you have a chronic disease. Despite ways of dealing with severe manifestations, the need for vigilance is ever present; a state of alertness which dramatically impedes quality of life. However, what Lisa Peachey endured far exceeded such norms. This anguished struggle comprises the narrative of Everything is NOT Peachey. Unlike diabetes or a need for dialysis, her affliction repeatedly baffled the traditional medical establishment. Hope evoked through alternative medicine was ultimately dashed. Insurance did not cover an unapproved illness. As such, every spare cent was dedicated to a largely fruitless search for answers to treat extreme chemical sensitivity. Symptoms included devastating headaches, damaged vision, and cardiac arrhythmia. As it becomes progressively apparent, the most serious damage centered on thought processes, particularly the toll taken by internalizing the label of being a ‘very sick person’. Ultimately, a major change takes place, and another prism of perception becomes possible, which, in turn, offers alternatives that would have at one time been impossible.

The strength of the book is a portrait of a contaminated reality. Due to the compelling candor, a sense of immediacy impels reflection on the part of the reader -- what it would mean if they were in the same place. Lisa Peachey skillfully focuses on the immediate in tandem with the prospect of never-ending debilitation. Analogs and precedents raise societal issues. Despite the recognition that secondhand smoke is a proven carcinogen, requesting distance from the smoker is a norm. The author logically contends that people would dismiss complaints about the danger of second-hand fragrance. What makes her situation that much more understandable is the extent of public knowledge. Toward the end, it becomes clear that the deepest damage was compromised belief. The person we meet at the beginning is very different than the one at the close. Through radical change, the disease takes on new meaning. The final chapters focus on legal rulings and advocacy for the chronically ill. While many books examine aspects of chronic illness, issues raised in Everything is NOT Peachey go to the core of selfhood, societal impediments, and what it means to face seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Zahid Sheikh

Everything Is Not Peachey is an unvarnished and intimate memoir of Lisa Peachey's journey over the hurdles of a chronic illness, environmental sensitivities, and an unpredictably altered life. With honesty and humor, the memoir leads the reader through the defining moments in Lisa's life, beginning in childhood with mysterious health issues, culminating in her awareness of how these environmental and chemical toxins affected her health. From there, the book juxtaposes her individual story with the broader concerns of medical mismanagement, societal standards, and the often-ignored reality of living under the heavy load of chronic conditions. Lisa shares a message of resilience and hope for all in similar situations as she grapples with relationships, career challenges, and self-discovery.

Lisa Peachey’s memoir is candid and relatable, giving readers access to her world through vivid descriptions. The pacing unhurriedly conveys her experiences' emotional weight while allowing for levity and reflection. The narrative unfolds naturally, and readers are given a clear sense of her personal development and the external battles she faces. This memoir becomes both an inspiration and a call to action because of the seamless interweaving of themes of self-advocacy, tenacity, and challenging social norms. The book will resonate with anyone seeking understanding, whether they are patients, carers, or members of the general public curious about the human spirit's tenacity. One thing that truly stands out is how brilliantly the author captures the complex realities of chronic illness. Everything Is Not Peachey is a poignant and thought-provoking memoir that lingers long after reading the last page. Heartwarming! I loved it.

Richard Prause

Everything is Not Peachey is Lisa Peachey's unwavering recollection of her battle with chronic illness. Her memoir goes beyond simply sharing her health-related trials with readers. Peachey candidly explores the difficulties encountered by persons dealing with intangible medical conditions. Her book covers the importance of advocating for your health rather than simply accepting feedback or guidance from healthcare professionals. She also instructs readers on how to become more conscious of the goods they use since some products can contain ingredients that may prove to be detrimental to their overall health. Most of all, she teaches readers how to tap into the beauty of life despite their hardships. Embrace this life-changing journey and revamp your health approach today.

Everything is Not Peachey is a crucial and illuminating read, laced with candor and an empathetic touch. Lisa Peachey's memoir provides genuine hope and reassuring guidance on addressing your health concerns, especially when healthcare professionals do not acknowledge those health concerns as valid. Her resilience radiates from every page. If you have ever felt misunderstood or alone regarding your health challenges, Peachey's story is a strong reminder to be obstinate when looking after your health. Persistence is key! Peachey's insights on standing up for your health rights while challenging conventional health-related feedback is one of the most sincere and eye-opening pieces of advice her book has to offer. This thought-provoking memoir is an essential resource for everyone, not just readers who struggle with chronic illness. If you have a loved one who is suffering from health-related issues, this book will guide you to be the best supportive system you can be for that person.