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One year after the launch of Lightening the Shadow, my book for people with chronic illnesses and their healthcare providers, I see hope. I see hope in the form of readers who have opened up to me about their own experiences, of a tiny increase in federal research funding for ME/CFS, and of my continued ability to write and copyedit. If you haven't left a review of the book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, write one today! Reviews are how writers reach more readers, and there are many more readers out there who need this book. If you haven't read the book, it's never too late to read it! You can get a free sample on Amazon or get a free expanded sample by emailing me. We have the most hope in ending the silent suffering of ME, fibromyalgia, and all other invisible disabling illnesses if we work together in making our experiences known.  Source: Kinden Kuo, Flickr Creative Commons Darla Nagel is a biomedical copy editor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to educate healthcare professionals and encourage patients. If you want to receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel{a}gmail.com.
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What better day to learn about ME than Severe ME Day? Rather than reading stats or a list of symptoms, read a patient's story, written to educate doctors, patients, and those who know patients. You know the name of this patient. My account doesn't take long to read. Get a copy for someone you love, for your healthcare provider, or yourself. Help end the suffering of ME. https://www.amazon.com/Lightening-Shadow-Diagnosing-Invisible-Chronic/dp/069214949X  Darla Nagel is a biomedical copy editor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to educate healthcare providers and encourage patients. To receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel{a}gmail.com.
As a patient with a chronic illness and a biomedical copyeditor, I often read books including medical conditions or research at my leisure (off the clock). Here are two book reviews (cross-posted to Barnes & Noble and Goodreads). The Day I Forgot - But Will Always Remember by Dr. Brenda Brown Dr. Brown shows the frightful nature of sudden cardiac arrest and the invisible yet disabling aftereffects that can occur. Her words as well as photos will resonate with many readers. She has written this account as part of her recovery, yet this book isn’t just about her: Appendices contain other survivors’ stories and resources that every person should know about. After all, sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone. Disclosure: I copyedited a substantial portion of this book. An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System by Matt Richtel Richtel’s book manages quite a feat: binding storytelling with science. By naming, describing, and assigning images (e.g., first responders, scouts, police officers) to different cell types, he makes the immune system science readable and applicable not only to the four patients profiled but also to any patient or physician. Have you wondered what advantages immunotherapy holds over chemo? Have you wondered why autoimmune disorders are so tough to treat and they continue to become more common? Is it really so bad to skip handwashing and antibiotics now and then? Top scientists and medical doctors offer their insight on these questions and more. Readers will be fascinated at how many mechanisms our immune system has to control. As a biomedical copyeditor who still has many concepts to learn, this book has been immensely valuable for not reading like a textbook. The one personal drawback of this book is that as an agnostic, Richtel can’t see that the overwhelming complexity of human immunity had to have been divinely created, not evolved, and that human “diversity” alone won’t be enough to solve the medical problems humanity has gotten itself into.  Pierre Metivier, Flickr Creative Commons Darla Nagel is a biomedical copy editor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to encourage patients and educate health care professionals. To receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel {a} gmail.com.
I self-published Lightening the Shadow in print and e-book versions through IngramSpark with worldwide distribution in September 2018. This is what it cost and the royalties I'd made as of year-end 2018. I hope this helps others who are thinking about self-publishing. Ask me any questions in the comments.  Publishing costs for Lightening the Shadow Darla Nagel is an editor and writing tutor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to educate others about our experiences. If you'd like to receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel {a} gmail.com.
 Darla Nagel signs Lightening the Shadow I was honored to help make history for Baker College of Flint—its first book signing! Here I am with President Wen Hemingway and bookstore mascot Wilson. Thanks to everyone who made this possible! #whereswilson #BakerCollege Darla Nagel is an editor and writing tutor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to enlighten others on our experiences. If you want to receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel {a} gmail.com.
You're all invited to this event at Baker College of Flint Tuesday, Oct. 23! https://www.baker.edu/about/get-to-know-us/events/lightening-the-shadow-book-signing  Darla Nagel is an editor and writing tutor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to enlighten others about our experiences. If you want to receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel {a} gmail.com.
 Among all the noise about how to live a healthy lifestyle, there needs to be a clear, moving voice on how to live a chronically ill lifestyle. Lightening the Shadow is now available in print and e-book versions. Read this medical mystery with encouragement for patients and education for doctors: https://www.amazon.com/Lightening-Shadow-Diagnosing-Invisible-Chronic/dp/069214949X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1535920310&sr=8-1 Nothing will improve for patients with invisible disabilities if we don't come out from the shadows and shed light on our needs. If you like this book, review it online and share it with a doctor. Thanks for following this book's progress! Darla Nagel is an editor and writing tutor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to encourage patients and enlighten health care professionals. If you'd like to receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel [a] gmail.com.
The book won't launch today as planned, and I'm aware that Lightening the Shadow is showing as unavailable at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. There was a production error that I'm having fixed. Check back Tuesday, Sept. 11! I couldn't let the world read a book that wasn't perfect. Happy Friday, and thanks for your patience! Darla Nagel is an editor and writing tutor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to help other patients and enlighten health care professionals about our experiences. If you’d like to receive quarterly updates from her, sign up by emailing darla.nagel@gmail.com.
The countdown to Lightening the Shadow is winding down! 5. There’s nothing wrong with asking for major help in the face of life-changing events. Independence is an American value, not a law. 6. Accept the limitations chronic illness imposes and your new life and identity. 7. Find a way to contribute to society or your caregivers. This is last because you need to manage your illness first, but helping out even from bed has made me more content. Come back tomorrow! Darla Nagel is an editor and writing tutor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to help other patients and enlighten health care professionals about our experiences. If you’d like to receive quarterly updates from her, sign up by emailing darla.nagel@gmail.com.
Lesson 3: Trust yourself more than you trust health care professionals. You know your body better than anyone because you’re the one living in it. Lesson 4: Don’t use YouTube or the Internet to learn how to do medical procedures. I hit a nerve and nearly passed out when I gave myself a shot without medical supervision. Three more lessons are coming in the countdown to Lightening the Shadow. Darla Nagel is an editor and writing tutor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to help other patients and enlighten health care professionals about our experiences. If you’d like to receive quarterly updates from her, sign up by emailing darla.nagel@gmail.com.
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