Her sudden and sodden illness

My well-read daughter Sarah told me about the author of Seabiscuit: An American Legend, composed while Anne Hillenbrand, was sick unto death with chronic fatigue syndrome. Hillenbrand no doubt has one of the worst cases ever documented. Despite this she managed to compose her masterpiece about the racehorse whose tragedies finally resulted in racing victories. Likewise, Hillenbrand triumphed over an illness that kept her bedridden and still does. There is no known cure from this virus, from which pianist Keith Jarrett also suffered. Recently, a persistent female scientist found the viral origins for this disease which doctors tell patients is "all in your head."

To read Hillenbrand's 12-page personal account of her illness, click here.