This Is How I Save My Life

From California to India, a True Story of Finding Everything When You Are Willing to Try Anything

By: Amy B. Scher

Narrated by: Amy B. Scher

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Sometimes, you only find everything when you are willing to try anything....

From "a brave warrior and a wonderful writer" (Elizabeth Gilbert, number one New York Times best-selling author of Eat Pray Love), the true story of a fiery young woman's heartwarming and hilarious journey that takes her from near death in California to a trip around the world in search of a cure. Along the way, she discovers a world of cultural mayhem, radical medical treatment, an unexpected romance, and, most importantly, a piece of her life she never even knew she was missing.

When everyone gave up on her...

When Amy B. Scher was struck with undiagnosed late-stage, chronic Lyme disease, the best physicians in America labeled her condition incurable and potentially terminal. Deteriorating rapidly, she went on a search to save her own life - from the top experts in Los Angeles and the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis to a state-of-the-art hospital in Chicago.

She risked her own life to find it.

After exhausting all of her options in the US, she discovered a possible cure - but it was highly experimental, available only in India, and had as much of a probability of killing her as it did of curing her. Knowing the risks and armed with her self-created motto "when life kicks your ass, kick back", Amy packed her bags, convinced her parents, and flew across the world anyway.

But this is not just another book about illness.

Vikas Swarup, New York Times best-selling author of Slumdog Millionaire calls this book "a heartwarming and inspiring story that will change the way you look at life."

"In her stunning new memoir, the refrain 'we are the healing we've been waiting for' rings throughout...a beautiful testament to resilience that veers from the comical to the tragic." (LA Review of Books)

It's for anyone who believes in - or doubts - the existence of miracles when it seems like all hope is lost.

You'll discover who you really are (and why it matters).

Do you ever wonder what it takes to save your own life? Or even just your sanity when times are hard? This Is How I Save My Life will help you discover who you really are.

While Amy's story began as the search for a physical cure from Lyme disease, it turned out to be so much more. It turned out to be about life - how we get through when it seems impossible and even find some humor in it all.

And you'll learn very important things, too, like:

• How chocolate cake might help you keep the faith
• Why telling yourself the truth is more important than anything else
• And the best way to outrun a group of schoolboys in India if you're ever mistaken for the pop singer Shakira!

©2018 Amy B. Scher (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

So relatable.

Love this Memoir- I could not stop listening! I love that Amy read the book herself- it makes it so much more personal. Every word made me feel so much less alone. Beautifully written.

One of my favorite memoirs of all time — 5 stars!

Amy is not only a brilliantly talented, award-winning author, she’s also a brave, vulnerable, and heart-centered healer. Her memoir is a treasure—one that I had a very hard time putting down. In fact, I flew through it in record time! I highly recommend This Is How I Save My Life to anyone looking to be inspired by an extraordinary woman with the courage to do what was needed—both emotionally and physically—to save her own life.

An incredible and searingly genuine memoir

Where does This Is How I Save My Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the very best memoirs (and I am a huge memoir fan) and so grateful Amy read her own book. Her descriptions of her medical ailments are not for the faint of heart yet the core of the story is her courage to make the inner journey of self-responsibility.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Amy! And her favorite character is India. So, both!

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to pick ... Amy and her patient and loving parents at the Taj Mahal, wherein she surrenders not only to the beauty of this magnificent world wonder (I have been and it assuredly is "vaut le voyage") also to 42 acres of parkland, night sky, the milling and awe-inspired Indian crowds. None of this would have been possible for her to experience if she had failed to follow the many breadcrumbs of serendipity which led her to Delhi in search of a stem cell cure for Lyme disease.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Amy's own particular mantra is "Let go ... let go ... let go".

Any additional comments?

Certainly a must-read for anyone reeling through the grueling and painful experiences of Lyme disease. However, her inner journey of self-discovery mirrors her body's travails. Her acknowledgement include heartfelt thanks to Elisabeth Gilbert and Cheryl Strayed, so if a prospective reader has enjoyed these authors, I would heartily endorse listening to Amy's memoir.

Get ready to cry in your car

This book is perfect for anyone who is a fan of female centered travel or "overcoming" type books. I highly recommend for anyone going through a transitional period of life. Very inspiring.

a beautifully painted struggle

so inspiring Amy took me to a place I never expected..but so needed for my own healing journey. it was as if she wrote it just for me.

Authentic, Inspiring and funny!

Incredible story, Amy shares openly and honestly her journey and search for health that leads her down many rabbit holes but ultimately takes her on a journey that leads her back to herself, which is where she finds the answers to all of her questions! It’s inspiring, heart warming and very funny in parts. Highly recommend to anyone stuck in a pattern of looking outside of themselves for life’s answers and are ready to know there could be another way! Also a great book for anyone who loves India!

Incredible journey

This story of Amy's struggle with life, lyme disease, suffering, loss, love, and death was deeply personal and intimate. The narrator was perfect and the content was incredibly detailed. I just couldn't stop listening. I also struggle with chronic illness and this book was truly a treasure to my own battles and has restored my hope and inspiration for true self healing. Thank you so very much.

Beautiful

Such a inspirational story! I felt like I went on this journey with her, crying, laughing and hoping.

Inspiring, relatable, beautifully told

I listened to the audiobook (narrated by the author) and couldn’t turn it off. I laughed, cried and related to so very much of this inspiring story of healing that must come ultimately from within.

illuminating

This was a very interesting, personal story of the road to healing. I like that it was not a "do this and you will be cured" book as I find those to be unrealistic. I found this book like having a really long, fascinating conversation with a friend. I was touched by the relationships and the honesty in the book. I am really glad I listened to it.