Organ Transplants

This is a one-of-a-kind book that addresses the issue of what it's like to be involved with an organ transplant procedure. It's filled with real-life stories of teens whose parents, siblings, or other family members are transplant recipients as well as teens who have had transplants themselves and includes stories of recipients who have received heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, and double-lung transplants. This book describes the physical and emotional ups and downs that are part of the transplant process. It addresses, from both the recipient's and family's point of view, what it feels like to be placed on the transplant list, to wait for an organ, to receive "false alarm" calls to come to the transplant center, to finally undergo the transplant operation, to recover, to deal with setbacks of surgery and organ rejection, and to live on anti-rejection drugs the rest of one's life. Also detailed are the medical, financial, mental, and other preparations that must be undertaken as part of the transplant process. Guidance on what to expect, how to help, where to seek assistance, and how to support the patient is also given. Answers to the tough practical and emotional questions that teens have about an organ transplant, such as will my parent survive the surgery, how long will it take for my parent to recover, and why is this happening to me are discussed? Numerous question-and-answer sections of frequently asked questions about organ transplants and the myths that surround them are included, as well as contact information for organizations that provide many forms of assistance for recipients and their families. Through all the serious issues, however, this book offers much hope and promise for recipients and their families through the stories of those whose lives have been greatly improved through an organ transplant. This is the ideal resource for all readers who are interested in the subject of organ donation and transplant, including those who are facing a transplant and their family members as well a
Talks to teens and offers practical advice and suggestions for coping with and surviving the situation of when a family member has an organ transplant, or when they are personally facing an organ transplant. It covers how to deal with events that happen before, during, and after the surgery.
Honest and compassionate.... this book will give young adults hope and courage and let them know that they are not alone.--School Library Journal, 10/1/2005
The resources in the book are a treasure. I think it is an extremely difficult and challenging job to put together a piece of work that so eloquently ties in the scientific/physical, emotional, and personal aspects (essentially everything)--but this author has done it--and she has done it beautifully....For anyone even remotely interested in organ transplants and especially to everyone involved in the organ transplant area (family member, friend, recipient, patient, doctor, nurse, and the list goes on...), this book is a cushion to support you and a shoulder for you to lean on during any and all stages of organ transplantation.--Mary H. Wu, National Kidney Foundation "The Transaction Council "
This book is a one-of-a-kind book that addresses the issue of what it is like to be an organ transplant recipient or to be close to someone who is....Highly Recommended.--Marilyn Sprague, Flower Mound HS