Why I Felt Different
Discovering My Cancer, Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia
In 2026, while battling a serious health crisis, Lisa Ramos had to step away from normal life and focus on one thing: getting better. She could barely eat, her health was deteriorating, and simple parts of everyday life were beginning to disappear. During the most difficult period of her life, Lisa opened nearly 30 years of deeply personal journals documenting her experiences and challenges and began writing the book she had always wanted to write but had been too afraid to begin. Now, she felt she had nothing left to lose—and she realized how uncertain life could be.
For as long as Lisa could remember, she had felt different, and something always seemed off. She had survived cancer twice, gone through menopause in her thirties, and struggled with gut issues for much of her life. To Lisa, these experiences never felt like a series of unrelated events or simply bad luck. School had been difficult, many environments overwhelmed her, routines brought comfort, she needed large amounts of time alone, and things that seemed easy for other people often required considerably more effort. Why I Felt Different follows her through childhood, difficult relationships, ovarian cancer, family life, entrepreneurship, and raw moments from her latest health challenges, ultimately leading to a late-in-life diagnosis of autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Looking back across decades of experiences, she finally begins to understand how the pieces of her life fit together.
A Story About More Than a Diagnosis
This memoir is not simply the story of discovering autism, ADHD and dyslexia. It is the story of a woman trying to understand herself while navigating the unexpected turns life placed in front of her.
Finding Strength • Exploring Creativity • Finding Answers • Trying to Keep Up
About Lisa Ramos
Lisa Ramos is a California artist, entrepreneur and founder of MONOLISA, a handmade jewelry and handbag business she launched in 2017. An ovarian cancer survivor and lifelong creative problem-solver, Lisa draws from decades of personal journals and life experiences in her first book, Why I Felt Different.
Why I Felt Different
Available in 2027
Paperback, Kindle and signed-copy information will be available here when the book is released.