Book Description
Dying to Live is about facing challenges. Being miserable. Finding faith. Letting go and learning to trust. It is the inspiring story of Gaea Shaw's journey from heart transplant recipient to gold medal winner at the Olympic-style Transplant Games. But Gaea's story is much more than that. Her gift to readers is that she encourages each of us to see that we all face our own challenges—and that each of us can experience an abundant life, filled with gratitude, no matter what the odds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

An Authentic Read!
Gaea Shaw has written an authentic, inspiring, book. I found myself emotionally reviewing my own life while reading the experience of hers. There is wisdom in this book...the kind that's earned when confronted with a major life challenge.
From a heart that was dying to a heart that is fully living, Gaea authentically shares herself and her family with the reader.

Dying to Live: From Heart Transplant to Abundant Life is a good reminder that while much of life is out of our control, we can choose how we respond! I am buying 10 copies and offering them as gifs to my circle of girlfriends.

Paulette Millander

What a Remarkable Story!
This is an amazing story!I went to bed reading it and woke up and finished it...was late to work and don't regret it.

There are many overwhelming moments, but none like the donor mother feeling her son's heart beating inside of Gaea.What an important and beautiful story, I've never read the likes of it.

Life changing experience
An amazing and beautifully written account of the path Gaea emabrked on in having a heart transplant. The impact on her renewed life and the ripple effect on those around her. Her account is clear and moving, equally so are the accounts of those who share her experience, especially the donor family. This book moved me greatly, a must read by anyone looking toward oragan transplant, and anyone considering donating.

A Heroine's Journey
Gaea Shaw's account of her heart disease, heart transplant and her new life is an inspiration to anyone whose life is spinning out of control. Gaea did all the right things: healthy diet, exercise--but her heart was giving out, and she was close to death. Her courageous descent into total surrender left me in tears. Shaw doesn't spare us any of the emotional turmoil she went through during this life-threatening experience, and yet this short book is written in a clear, simple, and unsentimental style. The way she told her story adds even more power to it. For myself, I know that if I were facing such a dire medical operation, at first I would be overwhelmed with fear and confusion. But Gaea's story elicited a deeper force within me (and all of us) which has the power to carry us through our darker hours, whether we are confronting day-to-day struggles or a life-and-death crisis.

Heart-opening!
Gaea's book is immensely moving, vulnerable, direct, beautifully written, very revealing of her and the intimate process she and her family went through with her heart transplant. It was incredibly raw and comprehensive in terms of their emotional experiences. Gaea's telling was not at all sentimental,
and it conveyed the spiritual presence that Gaea and her husband lived in while going through such an immense initiatory ordeal. The book also took me into the depths of the utter death of everything Gaea, her husband and her child had to face.I cried a lot...thanks so much, Gaea.This book offers an inspiring transmission of love and trust in the face of one of Life's fiercest experiences.It will be an inspiration and companion to those on the journey of transplant surgery, to their families, as well as those who are called to donate the precious organs of their fallen beloveds.
Gaea is also an inspiration for anyone who is facing any situation in life that appears to be more than they can handle. ... Read more

Book Description
The surgeon who performed the world's first human heart transplant was born into rural poverty. He would grow up to become one of the most famous surgeons the world has ever known. He would be a millionaire many times over and would date famous actresses and models. Yet he didn't gain recognition for inventing a new surgical technique or discovering a cure. When he performed the world's first heart transplant, the operation had already been mapped out by others, every step carefully detailed. But only one surgeon had the courage to risk both failure and professional criticism.

Though the first heart transplant was an enormous risk, more than 100,000 similar surgeries have since been performed world-wide. In the United States, an estimated 2400 patients receive transplanted hearts each year. Eighty-seven percent of them survive for over a year and nearly 75% are alive five years later. They owe those extra years of life to the courage of one surgeon. His name is Christian Barnard, and this is his story. ... Read more

Book Description
The story of heart transplantation is one of pioneering surgeons and courageous patients. Through the first operation on a beating human heart to the reality of the artificial heart, the rapid progression of cardiac surgery and the ethical issues that arise with each new development are discussed. ... Read more

Download Description
Many mainline churches make the mistake of thinking that in order to get off the plateau or reverse the decline they must become something that they are not. Often that change of identity has to do with worship. In a study funded by the Lilly Foundation, Robert Cueni has interviewed pastors and members of dozens of large-membership mainline churches that have turned around long-standing patterns of stagnation or decline. The common denominator he identified is that the leadership of these churches have found ways to incorporate the church's story and sense of identity into a new story of change and renewal. They work with the strengths they find, move away from the weaknesses, and arrive at a newly thriving congregation. In Dinosaur Heart Transplants, Cueni shares the findings and conclusions from his groundbreaking study and demonstrates how even small and mid-sized congregations can incorporate these patterns of renewal.Key Features:• Addresses a problem that is being faced in numerous ways by many churches today• Applicable to mainline churches of all sizes• Makes available in an accessible format the findings of a Lilly Foundation studyKey Benefits:• Readers will understand the factors that cause or characterize stagnating churches• Readers will understand the outlook necessary to move churches that have reached a plateau into renewal• Readers will understand how to crystallize a church's story and sense of identity• Readers will learn how to incorporate that story and identify with a new story of change and renewal• Readers will learn how to identify churches' weaknesses and move away from them ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Hearts Have Been Transplanted!
Robert Cueni has an encourging outlook for mainline renewal.You will find this book beneficial if you are a layperson or clergy of a mainline church of any size.Very practical, very positive, very uplifting.I planto share this book with my entire church board. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (9)

A light read
Definitely not a comprehensive study on the history of medicine.But then again, I really don't think that was what Mr. Gordon had in mind.This book is a "aren't you glad we live in the 21st century" look back on the ideas and practices that have evolved to get us to where we are today.This book can be easily read on a lazy day, however, the last half may be more interesting to skim.The first several chapters found me giggling from the witty fun Mr. Gordon pokes at ancestral ideas about disease and dying.By the time he gets to Freud, I found factoids and case summaries amusing but not enough to keep me from other daily distractions.I barely made it through the end as the last chapters have less whit and feel like they are written directly from a history outline.If you need a book to read while waiting on a doctor or dentist appointment, this book will certainly pass the time.Don't know what to get your college bud who's thinking about a medical practice or have a pesky relative swayed by alternative medicine? -this may be less expensive and more personal than a gift card...but the gift card may still be better.

To fall out laughing is the best medicine
I read this book here in Ceará, a state of Brazil.I'm an agronomist and I like to read books.This book isn't for doctors, but for the general public.
If you like to read comic books about doctors and patients, this a good choice.This book is also concise, easy to read and had a cheap price, when I bought it, here in Brazil.

Sloppy Writing - and Publishing - From Start to Finish
This book is not really a history of medicine.It is, rather, a sloppy garage sale of anecdotes, florid sentences, misspellings, poor grammar, and errors of fact (Leeuwenhoek did NOT, as Mr. Gordon states, invent the microscope).The only unifying theme is the author's rampant "humor," but it rarely elucidates the history of medicine.How could St. Martin's Press send this manuscript to the printer without copy editing or proof reading?Beats me.

Ok book if you are already in the medical field
This was an ok survey of the history of Medicine.I found that the author, (who is from great Britain), uses too many terms more familiar to other physicians.The average reader would probably not enjoy this book, as some of the language can get quite lofty, and encumbered by latin medical terms.If you want an easier read of the history of medicine this is not the book for you.

Riveting yet discombobulated (literally) text
Thumbs up to Gordon for taking the reader of a mesmeric stroll through the oft-unusual characters and events that shaped the history of modern medicine as we know it.My sentiment wasn't initially thus. Half way through the first chapter I slapped the price sticker back on the rear cover, prepared to return it to the bookstore. Luckily (for me), I'm always up for a challenge, and something deep inside urged me to press on.Ah, woe is me; I couldn't put this book down (and this is certainly a text I look forward to rereading!).Perhaps the biggest qualm that I have with this text (and the reason I referred to it as literally discombobulating) is that 30 pages (or 12% of the book) were out of order!After discovering that the "The Gold-headed Cane" wasn't a mere page and a half chapter, but a full 27-pages; I actually had to read backwards! Bad move St. Martin's Press.In short, this is a terrific text for ANYONE interested in learning more about the history of medicine.Gordon's tone is vivid and funny; the pace is fast; the language rich (if your vocabulary/verbal reasoning is slightly above average or below- be prepare to have a dictionary near by).The text also features a couple dozen resourceful illustrations. There are NO misspellings in this text, only differences in British and American Standard English usage (i.e. using an "s" instead of a "z"- organisation vs, organization).- Great book for the mature-minded, well-versed reader. Enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description
A collection of powerful stories told by 50 persons who have been through the heart transplant experience. The reader is drawn int the sorrows, joys, ironies, and trials of people living live at the edge.

Death, suffering, rebirth, and humor are the stuff of great literature.This is great literature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I don't know what to say
I silently absorbed all of this work and just came away with such empathy it's very difficult to express it. It is a good manual to prepare you for such procedures. Too much to say about it, my words fail. ... Read more

Book Description
Many remember the proudly beaming face of South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard after he performed the first human heart transplant. But he was not alone in his quest. In truth it was a fourway race, a fierce struggle fraught with passionate rivalry. Three other surgeons were giants in the field, and by early December 1967 all were poised to make medical history.

Each had spent years perfecting his techniques; each monitored his chosen patient's condition, watching the clock, hoping a donor would be found in time. From a dank, under-equipped hospital in Cape Town to a cramped lab in San Francisco, the surgeons worked miracles, testing the limits of both science and nature. Some were friends; others were enemies. Only one would be the first. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Every Second Counts
An absolutely spell binding account of the early work in the field of heart transplant.Extremely well written and very factual.A great read, indeed, it is almost impossible to put the book down once you begin.

An In-Depth Autobiography
This autobiography of Lance Armstrong will show you how teamwork plays an important role in the Tour de France.You'll also see how Armstrong coped after his first marriage ended.

A Great Book
The book deals with complicated medical matters, but is written like a novel and is riveting, and hard to put down. It covers lots of medical and human history and is required reading for those too young to understand and appreciate heart and vascular surgery. Bypass and transplant surgery has changed the world and this book tells who made it possible.

Joseph R. Newell, Jr

"Every Second Counts"
This well written book provides insight into the personalities, goals and methods of the surgeons who worked tirelessly to develop the procedure of heart transplant. In many ways it reads like a novel with the moral that the best doesn't always win the race. Society and mankind has benefited greatly from the efforts of most of these people. The winner of the race got the spoils but paid a heavy price. It is well worth reading.

Wonderful; couldn't put it down
This book does a wonderful job of bringing the story of the world's first HUMAN heart-transplant to life--and for those of us who might be in the medical field--some insight, down the road, of what must have driven other heart surgeons.Remember, the University of Mississippi's James Hardy?Did you know that he used a Baboon's heart--and implanted it into a human?Later, in the 1980's, did you know Dr. Bailey (Loma Linda) used a baby baboon's heart and put it into "Baby Fae"?Remember this?Heart surgeons have been plagued by the Prima Donna syndrome for years--and justifiably; however, this book UNDOES history's fame on Christan Barnard and makes him out to be a fame-driven, and ultimately, sorrowful individual stripped of his fellowship in the American College of Surgeons--while making the American surgeons (Drs. Shumway, Lower, Stinson, Kantrowitz) the real heroes of the heart transplant.I couldn't put this book down. . .and you won't be able to either.Christian Barnard's greatest achievment to science was NOT the heart transplant:it was his discovery of the cause of intestinal atresia, and the help his work in transplantation led the American's to re-define the definition of death from "heart" death to "brain-dead."The hero of the heart transplant is Richard Lower and Norman Shumway.Simply outstanding reading. ... Read more

Book Description
In August 2001 the author received immunizations in anticipation of travel to Africa to help children suffering from HIV/AIDS. Soon after the shots, she feel prey to an extraordinarily rare and generally fatal disease. She received a heart transplant 7 weeks later, and fought bravely and successfully to overcome many obstacles in her recovery. She received caring help from many hands as she healed. This book is an expression of her faith and her gratefulness. ... Read more

Book Description
"Laura's New Heart" follows the dramatic journey of a vibrantly successful Wholistic Healer, teacher, coach and counselor as she learns she has congestive heart failure. Laura sweeps you along in her struggles to implement spiritual, creative, healing beliefs and practices in the face of a rapidly deteriorating condition. Deeply challenged by her years as a teacher, having trained hundreds of students, Laura is faced with the formidable task of practicing what she preaches, only to discoverflaws and limitations of these beliefs. We follow Laura through her daily life as she applies her training and understanding of various alternative-healing modalities in efforts to heal herself - to no avail. It is not until Laura is on her deathbed that she consents to be evaluated for a heart transplant after which a series of uncanny miracles remarkably unfold. She invites you intimately into her mind and way of being in human struggles, failures and triumphs. Laura reveals her most intimate thoughts about living, dying, death and her relationship with God. Her deeply moving tale makes us laugh, cry and lifts us in an unsuspecting invitation to reflect on our own beliefs. Laura's natural teaching abilities are clearly present in her writing as she turns the lessons learned into practical opportunities for those of us who have ever been or will become seriously ill as well as those of us who walk beside anyone facing a serious illness. This book inspires an opportunity to reevaluate our lives as it broadens our perspectives about illness and wellness.

This book is highly recommend for anyone in the field of healing or creative arts. Doctors, nurses, artists and healers are invited to see a new refreshing perspective into the lives of those they touch on a daily basis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Laura's New Heart hits home!
This beautifully written book describe one woman's journey through congestive heart failure to heart transplantion.The journey is filled with emotional highs and lows and is described from a spiritual perspective.Besides making for a fascinating tale---imagine coming back from the brink of death to lead a completely normal life---the spiritual guidelines offered should allow the reader to better cope with everything life has to offer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent Read
This book provided a fascinating insight into the amazing world of transplants. I take my hat of to Dr. Frist and his colleagues for the amazing work they do day in and day out!!

I think too many previous reviewers focused too much on the cat story. Back when Dr. Frist was going to medical school, dogs and cats from shelters were commonly used for a variety of classes in medical school - I do not think we should judge Dr. Frist's actions on today's standards.

Confessions of a Cat Killer
I'm not sure what is the greater act of stupidity: Nazi-like killing of cats for medical experimentation OR being a public figure and writing about it in your autobiography.

Cat killer enthusiasts will also enjoy the original and artistic film on the subject entitled "Gummo" (...)

Self-Serving Screed from a Deeply Disturbed Man
The relevant text in this book--which, by the way, is becoming harder and harder to get (could the author be buying up all extant copies to contain the damage?)--says of his kidnapped cats that Frist "treated them as pets for a few days" prior to his "cart[ing] them off to the lab to die." The standard practice among researchers and medical students is to avoid becoming emotionally attached to their lab subjects, and for good reason; it makes the objectivity necessary for scientific work more difficult. Yet Frist, by his own admission, "treated them as pets." The implication is that since no one forced Frist to do this that he got some sort of emotional thrill from killing and cutting up these unfortunate cats and kittens that he kidnapped under false pretenses. There is a word for people like that: sociopath. It's common knowledge that people who abuse and kill animals for thrills often become serial killers later in life. Is this the kind of person we want serving as Senate Majority Leader? Be very afraid.

Insightful
This book was the turning point of my life.It was the statement that persuaded me to have a heart transplant.It answered so many of my qestions about the procedure and gave me the insight that the procedure was not really science fiction. Since reading it I have passed the book on to other people facing such a difficult decision.

amazing
this book is definately one i'll keep. it talks of accounts with certain patients and gives an in depth look at the art of transplantation. i recommend this book to anyone. its a great read. ... Read more

Book Description
A comprehensive text from the leading transplant centres on the medical management of thoracic organ transplantation, covering the assessment of patients for possible transplantation, through to managing patients after transplantation including any possible complications and shared care aspects of long term management ... Read more

Book Description
This is the inspiring story of a heart transplant recipient and his faith. His story of facing death and finding life will challenge readers to look anew at their own lives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

You Touched My Heart Too!
What a great devotional book! I appreciated the opportunity to hear the personal thoughts of a man facing our greatest fear.I was both encouraged and challenged to witness how God sometimes uses our greatest fears to deepen our relationship with Him. The author blends his personal story of his need for a new physical heart with object lessons for our need for a new spiritual heart. Very insightful - I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description
“Mr. Sullivan,” he said, “it is my opinion that you are going to need a heart transplant.” The words were a terrible pounding in my ears reverberating through my brain. Heart transplant! I could not believe my ears. I looked at my loving wife and saw a look of total shock and disbelief. She could not speak. Thus began a three-year period of waiting for heart transplant surgery and recovery that would impact our entire family. This is a story of fear, frustration, anger, physical and spiritual recovery, and the inexplicable joy of getting a second lease on life. It was written to stimulate increased awareness of the critical need for organ donors and to give insight into my spiritual journey during the dark days of the illness. It is also the story of a young girl whose wisdom and compassion beyond her sixteen years led her to become an organ donor. ... Read more

Book Description
Nancy Shank Pedder was living a busy, fulfilling life until the day she discovered a lump in her breast. Diagnosed with breast cancer, Nancy is faced with both a mastectomy and chemotherapy. Recovering from breast cancer, she learns that the chemotherapy destroyed her heart. To live she must have a heart transplant. At the eleventh hour, Nancy's life is saved by the gift of a heart donation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

An engrossing story that leaves you uplifted and thoughtful.
Since the author is the main character, you know she lived to write about her tragic ordeal: breast cancer treatment that literally killed her heart. . . muscle. This story, as awesome as it sounds isa page turner. Youwon't be able to put it down. Any woman who has breast cancer or knowssomeone who has had it, should read this book. There is some excellentadvice in it. And in the end, it's actually UPLIFTING!

YOU'LL BE AMAZED AT WHAT YOU CAN LEARN
IF YOU WANT TO SPEND AN EVENING READING A MOST INTERESTING LIFE STORY THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU.IT WILL NOT ONLY INTRIGUE YOU BUT ENTERTAIN AND EDUCATE YOU AS WELL. I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN AND THOUGHT OF MANY FRIENDS TOWHOM I WANT TO RECOMMEND IT.....A VERY EXCELLENT BOOK.

A touching story of a brave woman's ability to overcome.
This is human interest story that will move you to tears of joy and make you marvel at Nancy's indomitable will to live. Reading this story made me realize how lucky I am to have the health that I do. Nancy Pedder is aphenomenally strong woman who has never let her health issues cloud herpositivity and zest for life. She has dealt with challenges that would makea lesser human crumble, in a way that is to be admired and respected. Nancyshould be an inspiration to all that are organ recipients and the familiesof organ donors. I admire how she continues to make the most of the secondshot at life that she got through her donated heart and how she isdetermined to lead the charge to promote organ donation.

HEART-WRENCHING, ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF COURAGE AND FAITH
Once I began reading, I couldn't put the book down until the I finished it!This book has numerous endorsements from the medical profession, but like Nancy Pedder, I too am a cancer survivor, and this book is anINCREDIBLE account of the author's ordeal. Pedder truly has a knack fortelling her story; one which will keep you on the edge of your seat untilthe very last page. Not only will the reader be amazed and astonished atthe incredible odds Nancy overcame and SURVIVED, but also this book tugs atyour heart (no pun intended) and will hopefully be a positive impact onorgan donation. Nancy's story makes you not only want to stand and cheerthat you are allive, but also makes you want to thank God each day for themany blessings we sometimes overlook. This is the MOST positive book Ihave ever read on surviving cancer - and as a 17 year cancer suvivor, Ishould know.Everyone should read this book! ... Read more