Life Interrupted - Reviews

Author Chris M. Tatevosian in his book, “Life Interrupted, It’s Not All About Me” chronicles his bout with Multiple Sclerosis “MS”. Giving an inside look into his diagnosis and progression of the disease, Chris thought he was unstoppable as a young college student. Chris, early in his freshman year of college, started coming down with strange symptoms that the doctor’s could not diagnose. Shortly after a visit to another doctor that summer break, while at home, the author re-tells the story of how he realized that he did actually have MS when his father broke him out of his denial by telling him, “You have MS.” At such a tender age, only a freshman in college, Chris had realized that his life had forever changed.

Until then Chris had high hopes for his life and this story is an example of how one man’s life has been interrupted and dramatically changed by the disease known as MS. The author in his book illustrates that dealing with a chronic illness can not only disrupt one’s life, but also can become a chronic issue in a marriage. The author takes a hard look at what attitudes and actions can affect one with a chronic illness, while shedding light on what it can do to a marriage.

The author candidly describes situations, circumstances, and actions that arose within his own marriage, that caused misery to his spouse and eventually ended in the divorce of a marriage that everyone thought would never end. The author humbly admits that many actions were of his own doing. The author whole-heartedly writes about his own “poor me attitude” and openly shares his thoughts, emotions and reactions in his own life due to MS. I find this book to be so earnestly honest and refreshing, in that, the author does not hold back in an attempt to save face. This work from the author does a superb job of capturing the confusion, loss, anger, and frustration that a person can go through while fighting a chronic illness. Thank you Chris for sharing your struggles with us.

The author’s purpose in writing this book is to help others dealing with chronic illness and how their attitude towards their spouse can be destroying their marriage or relationships. This book gives the reader a pro-active approach and helps them identify their own behavior as positive or negative. This book will encourage anyone, chronic illness or not, to consider their own relationships and shares how to deal with poor attitudes and actions pro-actively before it grows like a cancer and destroys a marriage or relationship.

Several vitally important key techniques characterize the book; one being that open communication is a must between spouses and especially to a couple dealing with a chronic illness. The author illustrates that recognizing the other’s need just as much as the disabled person can be a marriage saver. The author so humbly admits that, “It’s Not All About Me.” This book will encourage you to open up to your spouse and give you the knowledge of how to go about communication in your marriage when dealing with chronic illness.

The author continues to make a profound statement in that, “Awareness of, and providing attention to, your relationship-destroying actions are the keys to saving your relationship.” (P.79) Whatever your situation may be, we can all learn from our own mistakes and the mistakes of others. If we were to think about the above quote and put it into motion into our own lives, just think of how many relationships could be saved. This book will impact your life on a highly positive level.

This well written book offers encouragement to any who are dealing with a chronic illness or who might have a loved one affected by any disease. Life is not easy, especially when dealing with the roller coaster ride of a day-to-day illness. You will find out that you are not alone and there is hope beyond a chronic illness.

“Life Interrupted, It’s Not All About Me” is a recommended must read for anyone with a chronic illness. Kudos to you Chris for writing this heart rendering and honest memoir! As one with a chronic illness myself, you caused me to look at my own reactions to my loved ones. This book will open your eyes to see any damaging behavior in your own life and give you the courage to do something about it. I find this book profound in that it is a gentle nudge (or rather gentle slap in the face) to others to look at their own actions in their lives and remember, “It’s Not All About Me.”

I was touched by the honesty of such a humble man, one who is courageous enough to let the world read about his struggles with his disability, and how God is using this experience to change his life and the lives of others.

Sue Celluce, Special Needs educator

This is a terrific book for anyone who wants to deal more positively will illness or strengthen a relationship.

A real person, speaking right from the heart, and it touched my heart.

Rick Mansfield, Caring Coordinator, The First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, Massachusetts.

“My disease was relapsing remitting up until 1990,” Chris says. “That was the year I began dating the woman who would eventually become my wife. Everything was tremendous until I suffered a major exacerbation in May 1993, at which time I became disabled and unable to work. After several difficult years, we were divorced. It was one of the darkest times of my life.”

In his recently published book, Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me, Chris shares the details of his life with MS before, during, and after his first marriage. This candid memoir examines the ways in which the author’s destructive attitude and inability to cope cost him his marriage.

Chris hopes his story might help others make more of an effort to communicate effectively with their loved ones and not allow disability and low self-worth to destroy their relationships. Chris also writes about his faith in God, his experiences with bee venom therapy, and his fiancée, Jane, to whom he is now married.

126 pages.

Reviewed by LizOP

Toward the end of this book, the author writes:
"Bitterness, like a cancer, left alone to grow only destroys one's life no matter what the cause."

One way to review a book is to start at the end. Chris talks about his anger and his "poor me" attitude he took on because of his diagnosis of MS at a young age. He boldly talks of his marriage that went on the rocks as a result of his negative choices.

He says he wrote the book to give the readers "the awareness, knowledge and understanding they need to deal more positively with the emotional and physical stresses put on a relationship interrupted by chronic illness or disability."

His book is about relationships and living with MS from his male point of view. The frankness is refreshing and not offensive. His writing is simple and direct - not one for winning prizes but easy to read. He talks of his journey and you may find you are reading about your similar journey.

We each have our own experiences and personalities where we react and think differently. It is good to read different life perspectives to help us focus on our own and where we could look to improve our attitude or circumstances.

If you like reading about other people's lives with MS, this will appeal to you. Maybe it will encourage you to write your own story and share it with others.

Chris has produced a seemingly honest portrayal of his life and lessons he has learned. He wrote about what he knows, which is always a plus in my book.