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5.0 out of 5 stars
This unforgettable story is a must read., February 7, 2008
This review is from: Lifeliner: The Judy Taylor Story (Paperback)
"This is my third date with the knife," she jokes as she sees the surgical resident come in to prep her on the afternoon of October 21. "You ought to put a zipper in. It'd be much easier to unzip me when you want to play with my innards."
Lifeliner is the amazing, unforgettable story of a young woman who becomes seriously ill at a young age and with the devoted care of her gastroenterologist survives for over twenty years.
Judy Taylor was a woman of great courage and a natural fighter. She was also the first patient ever to be treated with in-home alternative feeding techniques and the first such patient to survive the longest. Lifeliner is Judy's story, but it is also the story of her devoted gastroenterologist, Dr. Jeejeebhoy, who improved upon early records of alterative feeding methods and created the Total Parenteral Nutrition system (TPN) and it's portable versions for home care. For this Dr. Jeejeebhoy was dubbed "King of TPN".
Judy, trained in nursing, married with three young daughters was put on a new birth control pill in 1966 which caused the development of intestinal blood clots. These clots eventually led to the loss of her digestive system. Until then, this situation meant starvation and death, but with Dr Jeejeebhoy overseeing her care Judy became his test subject and survived long enough to be able to return home with a brand new home method of alternative feeding. Using this system Judy survived for over twenty years. For Judy this meant being a mother to her daughters, a wife to her husband and the opportunity to live life as she wanted.
Jeejeebhoy, the doctor's daughter met Judy when her father was invited to a BBQ at Judy's home and was asked to bring his family. Knowing Judy personally enabled the author to contact people Judy knew and to produce a story that will live on for a very long time.
Jeejeebhoy's style of writing sets the right pace as we follow Judy's medical difficulties. If you like reading about medical developments and down-to-earth humanitarian doctors and the relationships that develop between them and their patients, than this book is for you. It is truly a fascinating and eye-opening story which was well written.
What I found especially entertaining was the nicknames Judy came up with for her devoted doctor -- Dr. Cowboy and Dr. JeeJee which she later shortened to Dr. Jeej. A very ill woman indeed but her sense of humor shines out throughout her ordeal. This is a must read for anyone suffering from a similar condition as well as any terminal illness that might require alternative feeding such as AIDS, some cancers, etc. If you want a book you can't put down, get Lifeliner into your hands, you're in for a wild ride with one awesome woman and the genius of a devoted doctor.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Lifeliner Inspires the World, May 24, 2008
This review is from: Lifeliner: The Judy Taylor Story (Paperback)
Book Review Lifeliner
Lifeliner: The Judy Taylor Story
By Shireen Jeejeebhoy
ISBN: 978-0-595-44544-8
Publisher: iUniverse ([...])
Review By: Diana Rohini LaVigne, Indian Life & Style Magazine
A compelling story about the history of the medical technology called Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and a tribute to the doctor, Dr. Jeejeebhoy who lead the first research and trials in this area. Written by the doctor's daughter, she carefully balances the story between the research components done by her father and a realistic look into the daily life of his first test subject, Judy Taylor who proved to be both brave and vulnerable at the same time.
Although most of the story is told in layman's terms, some parts might prove challenging to non-medical staff without the use of the simple glossary at the back of the book. Personal interviews with those closest to Judy, correspondences sent by her and video and audio tapes of her fundraising and research activities come together in Lifeliner in an organized manner. Arranged in chronological order, readers are taken on the journey with Judy; experiencing her triumphs and her challenges. Reading it will make you laugh, smile, cringe, cry and most importantly, think.
Once you finish the book, you will take stock of your own health and that of your family's. If you want inspiration, Lifeliner has no shortage packed into its pages. An excellent book to read and pass along to anyone from those interested in true stories, medical history and those interested in anything to do with health. Lifeliner isn't just a book, but a voyage about TPN, living with adversity and the power of human will.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
You Must Read This, January 15, 2008
This review is from: Lifeliner: The Judy Taylor Story (Paperback)
Shireen Jeejeebhoy has written an extraordinary account of Judy Taylor and her fight for life starting in the 1970's when medical science was not as it is today. Ms. Jeejeebhoy is the daughter of Khursheed Jeejeebhoy who through trial and error provided groundbreaking research on long-term artificial feeding for patients who would otherwise die.
Judy Taylor was diagnosed with a life threatening disease at the age of thirty-four. She could not eat life normal people could eat and without eating she would die. Most physicians and specialists she saw gave her no hope and recommended to her family that she be allowed to die. Judy would not let that happen-she wanted to live to be with her family and raise her daughters.
When all medical specialists gave up, one man Dr. Khursheed Jeejeebhoy promised Judy he would keep her alive. Through trial and error and imagination he kept the promise.
Ms. Jeejeebhoy's ability to write on such a tough subject amazed me, she was able to show compassion for the patient and family while at the same time provide credit to all the medical personnel that went above and beyond to help this patient. An amazing story about the extraordinary dedication of doctors who were willing to beat all odds, regardless of what others said.
Initially I had some concerns regarding the writing in the earlier chapters, which described in detail Judy's medical complications. There were numerous medical terms that I felt the general public would not understand and it would deter them from finishing this incredible story. However, as one proceeds through the book the author began to explain the medical terms, which made for easier reading and understanding. This would be an excellent book for any family or patient to read who has the possibility of going through artificial long-term feedings.
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