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West Nile Diary: One Couple’s Triumph Over a Deadly Disease was perhaps an ironic reading choice for the week I was at home sick. I picked the book up at the ICWF Fall Conference because, having read many of Kathleen Gibson’s articles in Reader’s Digest and on her website, I was interested in her writing. Plus, I was curious about the topic of the book.
I bought this book myself because I knew it would be good, and I highly recommend it to everyone else. This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
West Nile Diary Summary
Although West Nile virus has been making headlines for years, many of us know very little about it beyond the fact that it’s spread by mosquitoes. I assumed an infected mosquito bite would simply result in a miserable case of the flu. As Kathleen Gibson explains, that is true for many people—but in rare cases the virus attacks the nervous system, leading to a condition known as West Nile Neurological Disease (WNND).
West Nile Diary chronicles Kathleen’s family’s experience after her husband, Pastor Rick Gibson, contracted the virus during the summer of 2007. The book is compiled from her journal entries, newspaper columns, and email updates sent to family and friends as they navigated months of uncertainty.
Kathleen vividly describes the frightening progression of Rick’s illness and the frustration of waiting for doctors to determine what was wrong. By the time he was diagnosed with WNND, the virus had caused paralysis and significant neurological damage. What follows is a moving account of rehabilitation, setbacks, small victories, and the long road toward recovery.
Reading West Nile Diary today is perhaps even more meaningful than when it was first published. After living through the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have a deeper appreciation for how unpredictable infectious diseases can be, how quickly life can change, and how physically and emotionally exhausting a long recovery can become. While West Nile virus and COVID-19 are very different illnesses, Kathleen’s story reminds us that serious diseases affect not only patients but entire families.
My Thoughts on West Nile Diary
Although the subject matter is sobering, Kathleen’s writing is anything but depressing. Readers familiar with her newspaper columns will recognize the same gentle humour, honesty, and deep faith that have made her such an engaging writer. Even in the darkest moments, she finds reasons to smile and opportunities to point readers toward hope.
Some of the most memorable chapters take place during Rick’s rehabilitation. Kathleen introduces readers to fellow patients, dedicated medical staff, and the everyday moments that make up life in a rehabilitation centre. I found myself laughing at some stories and nearly crying at others as she described both heartbreaking losses and unexpected triumphs.
One aspect I especially appreciated was Kathleen’s willingness to be honest about fear and uncertainty without losing sight of God’s faithfulness. Rather than presenting an overly polished account, she shares the emotional highs and lows of caregiving with authenticity. The small “miracles” she recounts—timely financial help, encouraging friends, answered prayers, and incremental improvements in Rick’s condition—serve as reminders that hope is often found in ordinary moments.
West Nile Diary concludes with an informative epilogue explaining West Nile Neurological Disease and defining many of the medical terms used throughout the narrative. Although West Nile Diary is a relatively short memoir, it leaves a lasting impression.
Who Should Read West Nile Diary?
This book will resonate with anyone who has cared for a loved one through a serious illness, experienced a lengthy recovery, or wondered how faith can endure during seasons of suffering. It’s also an informative read for those interested in medical memoirs or the realities of living with a neurological disease.
Ultimately, West Nile Diary is about far more than West Nile virus. It’s a story of marriage, perseverance, community, and the quiet ways God provides hope in the middle of life’s hardest battles.
About Kathleen Gibson
Kathleen Gibson is a Canadian author, columnist, and speaker whose warm, humorous writing has appeared in hundreds of newspapers and magazines, including Reader’s Digest. She is also the author of Practice by Practice: The Art of Everyday Faith. Through her popular “Sunny Side Up” column and her books, Kathleen encourages readers to find hope, faith, and even laughter in everyday life. For more about her and her books, drop by her website.
West Nile Diary is also available as an audiobook.
4 Comments
Kimberley – definately a good book for a Christmas wish list. Or a good book to give to a friend or family member going through some tough times. 🙂
Thanks for the review. I must add this book to my “Christmas wish list”
Joanna – I agree completely. Like I said, I bought the book because it’s a topic I knew little about, but wanted to know more about. Kathleen gave a great intro to the topic – funny and sad at the same time.
I think this is a book for everyone. Most of us won’t (we hope) contract West Nile. But most of us will either have or know someone close to us who has some form of long-term illness. A little bit of warning from the Gibsons can prepare us for that role.
And Kathleen definitely keeps the book from being a downer. She had me laughing in places, although sombre in others.