IncurableOptimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

At twenty-two, Jennifer Cramer-Miller was thrilled with her new job, charming boyfriend, and Seattle apartment. Then she received a devastating autoimmune diagnosisand suddenly, rather than planning for a bright future, she found herself soaking a hospital pillow with tears and grappling with words like progressive and incurable.

That day, Cramer-Miller unwillingly crossed over from wellness to chronic illnessfrom thriving to kidney failure. Her chances of survival hinged upon on the expertise of doctors, the generosity of strangers, and the benevolence of loved ones. But what kind of life would that be

Spanning two-plus decades, this family love story explores loss and acceptance, moving forward with uncertainty, and forging a path to joy. Four kidney transplants later, Cramer-Miller is here to shine a bright light on people helping people in difficult times with a story that will make you want to hug the humans you love. Because sometimes its the sorrows that threaten to pull us apart that ultimately unite us in hope.

Reviews

Wonderful! I started crying so many times as I read . . . engaging, moving, funny.
Kate Hopper, author of Ready for Air: A Journey through Premature Motherhood and Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers

If you ever want to read an inspirational book, and occasionally laugh out loud, I encourage you to read Jennifer Cramer-Millers memoir. It is uplifting and gives new meaning to the word hope.
Herta Feely, author of 2018 National Indie Excellence Award and 2016 New Apple Award winner ofSaving Phoebe Murrow

A raw, heartfelt, and transformational read for anyone needing levity in the face of adversity. I love how Jennifers humor-laced resilience beautifully encourages the reader to always make room for joy and hope!
Julie Burton, author of The Self-Care Solution: A Modern Mothers Must-Have Guide to Health and Well-Being and owner of ModernWell

Linda Sivertsen, author, co-author, and ghostwriter of eleven books including two NYT bestsellers, and host of the Beautiful Writers Podcast

Author Bio

Jennifer Cramer-Miller is a writer, speaker, wellness mentor, and gratitude advocate. Her work is featured in Brevity Blog, The Sunlight Press, Grown & Flown, Mamalode, The Erma Bombeck Blog, The Kindness Blog, The Star Tribune, and Minnesota Physician. She is the 2023-2026 Board Chair for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Serving Minnesota, and a contributing writer for the NKF Kidney Stories newsletter. She works as a wellness facilitator (named Joy Scouter) to help others manage uncertainty, move forward with hope, and find some joy. She lives in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her witty, lover-of-golf husband and her waggy, lover-of-treats pup.