Book ReviewsA Gift of Life
A Page From the Life of A Living Organ DonorNATCO, (North American Transplant Coordinators Organization), In Touch, Gina Vilarreal: July 1997
"This book is a superb resource for those families considering living organ donation. It is ideal for the non-clinical reader, especially for the patient awaiting a living-related transplant. It is also a good teaching tool for the patients undergoing work-ups as living-related donors. She (the author) describes the living donation process and all that it entails.
Review from
Gina Vilarreal
In TouchMs. Chabot-Long discusses the risks, fears, and hopes of one who has actually experienced this tribulation, she delves into the many spiritual and emotional self-scrutinies one must explore before deciding to donate a kidney to a loved one. She describes in great detail the factors involved in making the decision to donate her kidney. She discusses not only what it meant for herself, but her spouse and children as well.
For the patient weighing the options of dialysis versus transplant, this book clearly spells out the differences in quality of life for both methods It is made clear that "dialysis doesn't really cure kidney failure. It's a way to treat it.... The only thing that really cures it is a successful transplant." She also poignantly explains what the recipient should expect after transplant, that is, the side effects of immunosuppressants, the anti-rejection drugs.
She expands on the ethical dilemma of the concept of living donations: that is, the question of taking an organ from a perfectly healthy individual and transplant it into an individual who is extremely ill, or who may even die. Her resources are valid and well-founded with accurate details that provide valuable information and insight. This is a very accurate portrayal of the living donor process and how it affects the entire family. It is a wonderful tool for anyone facing these life decisions."
Family & Community Health, Lenore B. Weinstein, RN, MA, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Developmental Schiences and Community Health, Marquette University School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, WI, July 1998
"A Gift of Life" tells about the author's personal experiences as a living organ donor, discussing the issues and process of donating a kidney to her brother. This book is of interest to those involved in organ donation programs, those who work in the health care field involving transplants and organ donations, potential donors, and potential recipients.
Review from
Lenore Weinstein
Family & Community HealthThe author's "driving need" to share her experiences is mentioned in the preface. Then, an introduction precedes the book's 10 chapters, followed by a short bibliography, suggested readings, a glossary of terms, and an index.
In chapter 1, "The Family of a Living Donor," the author discusses her personal and medical background, family, home and community, and the family's history of kidney disease. Chabot-Long describes how she unhesitatingly volunteered to donate a kidney to her brother rather than allow her parents to do so. Accompanying the text are black and-white photographs from her youth. The next few chapters are about the journey-like donor process including tissue typing, meeting the physician, and technical explanations. There are also pictures and stories from childhood of one brother, and the conclusion that she and another brother were perfect matches for the donation. Continuing this journey is the trip to the hospital with an examination of brother, the recipient, with a paragraph the dialysis alterative, and further explanations on kidney function and transplant. The chapter, "Our Family Needs Answers," reports on the discussions among family members on who is to be the actual donor, followed by the author's preparation including procedures for the kidney donation. Subsequent chapters cover the return for surgery and the surgery itself, interwoven with child hood memories and her relationship with her father.
Postsurgery, the chapter entitled "The Healing Begins" tells of the family members' roles and the author's day-by-day journey through the ninth day, which is the day of hospital discharge. The journey continues with the first week at home and ends with brief notes about one and two years later.
"And Now," the final chapter, describes some of the extraordinary adventures that the author and her husband have participated in, such as walking on hot coals, climbing, and tight-rope walking; she attributes her courage to do these activities to an outgrowth of her kidney donation experience. The epilogue on the family provides an update on the family members mentioned in the book.
The writer is an ordinary person who tells of her realities with organ donation without glossing over the difficulties. The biographic sketches and family stories, a major part of the book, allow the reader to feel and better understand how decision and process affects the donor and the family. While the book is told from the donor's perspective, the last chapter contains a short update on her of his own words on the overall impact of receiving the kidney. The professional reading this book gets a glimpse of the personal side of organ donation while the layperson is presented with technical aspects explained in clear, understandable, and nonpatronizing terms. The style includes conversations and question-answer format, and appears to be an elaboration of the diary that the author kept. The book is written on a basic level and the pictures are nonprofessional and sometimes unclear, but that does not detract from the story, which is inspirational and heartwarming.
The importance of this book lies in the information it provides for the growing need for informed, responsible decisions regarding living organ donation. With current medical advances, there is an increased market for living donors not only for kidneys, but also for bone marrow, livers and lungs. The reader can better comprehend the issues and processes involved in being a living donor.
Alverno Today, Alverno Spotlight, Kathleen A. Mulvey, Editor, Milwaukee, WI, December, 1996
What if someone you know needed an organ transplant, and you were a likely donor--how would you go about making such a serious life decision?
Review from
Kathleen A. Mulvey
Alverno TodayBecause the information needed for informed decisions has not been brought together anywhere else, Lynn Chabot-Long has written a book about her experience in donation a kidney to her brother.
"A Gift of Life: A Page From the Life of a Living Organ Donor" was self-published by Chabot-Long, a word processor/graphic artist in Alverno College's Office of Research and Evaluation. The 200 page paperback book has met with considerable interest.
Last summer, Chabot-Long was invited to speak to the National Kidney Foundation and the Greater Milwaukee Stroke Club. She was interviewed on "Milwaukee Observer," and the show aired twice on local television. In September, she hosted a book signing at Barnes & Noble bookstore.
LifeStreams, National Kidney Foundation, Hans W. Sollinger, MD. Phd., Chairman, Division of Organ Transplantation, University of Wisconsin School of Medison, Madison, Wisconsin, Summer, 1996
"Lynn Chabot-Long has written a very honest and realistic portrayal of the living-related donor process and its effect on an entire family. This book will be a useful tool for any family who is facing end-stage renal disease and consideration of living-realted kidney donation.
Review from
Hans W. Sollinger
LifeStreams
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