I'm Glad You're Not Dead: A Liver Transplant Story [Paperback]

Elizabeth Parr (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0965472809 | ISBN-13: 978-0965472807 | Publication Date: December 1996 | Edition: 1ST

This book is what is known in the trade as an illness narrative. It is the personal story of a liver transplant patient/recipient, chronicling the treatment from the onset of first symptoms through the transplant procedure. It is often humorous, always informative, supplying information that any potential patient and his/her family would want to know about liver transplantation, from symptom to success. There is a section of medical terminology; the book was carefully edited by medical personnel: hepatologist, surgeon, nurse coordinator who were a part of the recipient's "team." Other case histories are supplied briefly in order to extend the reach of the book. It is human and warm, funny and chilling, a good "read" for anyone in this time of medical miracles and new protocols.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[...] Now, this former Fort Worth teacher has written her own book to teach what she considers her most important lesson--the vital importance of organ donation. If Parr's new book, "I'm Glad You're Not Dead," doesn't inspire you to sign a donor card, nothing will--unless perhaps someday you or a memeber of your family is in critical need of a new liver or heart or lung or kidney. The book is honest, funny, irreverent and terribly informative as it chronicles the symptoms of Parr's own end-stage liver disease: the horrible, uncontrolled bleeding, times of total mental confusion, trips to emergency rooms, doctors' appointments, false alarms (four times she was called to prepare for transplant surgery that was canceled) and finally the triumphant transplant, which has allowed her to return to teaching--better than ever. -- Star Telegram, April 20, 1997

About the Author

The liver recipient/author of "I'm Glad You're Not Dead," Elizabeth Parr, Ph.D, has been a professor of English at the University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas, since 1970. She has, in her lifetime worn many hats, including a nun's veil. She was a member of a Catholic religious community for seventeen years, and remained at the University of St. Thomas to teach, after leaving her religious order. Her educational background includes The University of Dallas, Catholic University of America, New York University, The University of Texas Austin and Columbia Pacific University. She was transplanted at The Universitiy of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, after being listed with UNOS in 1993, on October 24, 1994. Recognizing the dearth of information for the transplant patient and family, and knowing that she should, after a lifetime of teaching narrative, be able to chronicle her own experience for the benefit of others, she wrote this book. Its wide reception testifies to its need. Most recently, on September 11, 1998, in Portland, Oregon, Elizabeth delivered the keynote address at the International Transplant Nurses' Society's annual symposium. Currently, a second edition of this book, and another co-authored with her nurse coordinator, and also targeted at the transplant community, are in progress.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Journey Pub; 1ST edition (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965472809
• ISBN-13: 978-0965472807
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,060,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now I know I'm not the only one., June 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I'm Glad You're Not Dead: A Liver Transplant Story (Paperback)

This book was given to me by a concerned friend who read the book and couldn't believe how similiar my situation is to Elizabeth. I was a little hesitant because of the title but decided to read it anyway. I truly appreciate Elizabeth for putting her experience into words because this book put it all in perspective for me. It's not the end of the world! I'm not the only one. I am at the very, very begining of the process of liver transplantation and found this book to be comforting and informative. Everything I have gone thru so for is identical to Elizabeth's story. I also come from a family of 5 children and found that amazing. I would like to get in touch with Elizabeth. I am going to leave my e-mail address for anyone to contact me, especially Elizabeth. Thank you for putting you experience into words.

4.0 out of 5 stars I know how you feel. I have been there!, June 16, 2010

By 

Bharat Shah (New York, NY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I'm Glad You're Not Dead: A Liver Transplant Story (Paperback)

This is a good book.

It is a story of the author's own experience of going through a liver transplant. The author is a professor of English Literature, and that adds linguistic flair to the narration. The story in itself is interesting, but at times the language and effort of writing takes away from the story line. Proof reading is average, with many minor typos. The printed text could have been sharper.

Of the 162 pages, the story itself occupies the first 88. Then Ms. Parr adds the stories of other patients, running for 22 pages. These nicely fill in the gaps in the author's own experience, since nobody experiences all possible aspects of the process. Then she resumes her narration's postscript, incorporating the doctors' advice and admonitions, over the next 26 pages. These are useful, and worth remembering. The last 26 pages contain the glossary of the medical terms, and a listing of important transplant organizations. This can come in handy.

The book has a personality which is split between being a good, literary work, and a good patient's handbook. It is tough to balance these two, and this book does manage that feat somewhat successfully. I would recommend this book without any reservations.