The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis [Hardcover]

Isabel Stenzel Byrnes (Author), Anabel Stenzel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2007

The tragedy of cystic fibrosis has been touchingly recounted before, but this is the first book to portray the symbiotic relationship between twins who share this life-threatening disease through adulthood. Isabel Stenzel Byrnes and Anabel Stenzel tell of their struggle to pursue normal lives while grappling with the realization that they might die young. Their story reflects the physical and emotional challenges of a particularly aggressive form of CF and tells how the twins bicultural heritage Japanese and German influenced the way they coped. The Power of Two is an honest and gripping portrayal of day-to-day health care, the impact of chronic illness on marriage and family, and the importance of a support network to continuing survival. These two remarkable sisters have much to teach about the power of perseverance and about the ultimate power of hope.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I have been glued to my desk for the last three days, unable to separate myself from this wonderful account of medical illness and the amazing story told by these two remarkable sisters. I have just finished the last page with tears filling my eyes. [The Power of Two] is one of the best accounts of illness and coping with it that I have come across... this is a splendid addition to the literature of personal medical experience. -- Dr. Allen B. Weisse, Author of "Lessons in Mortality"

Isabel and Anabel's memoir of their extraordinary battle with cystic fibrosis is at once uplifting and frightening, touching and tough, but always powerful and filled with life and spirit, alike. It is a story that we all must be moved by, grateful that these two sisters shared their agony and love with us. -- Frank Deford, Author of "Alex: The Life of a Child"

It is the unfortunate habit of books on illness and recovery to rely heavily on sanitized clichés. The downs are very down, the ups sky-high. This honest and carefully observed account avoids preconceived notions of the complicated path toward an organ transplant. Describing the stages of the affliction in detail, it makes you feel you were there, suffering a pain you had heard about but never really visualized, aware that death is no longer just a concept but could come at any time, and experiencing the complex emotions that come with being saved because someone else died. For readers who have not been close to a wasting disease, it will be an eye-opener, horrifying but in the end inspiring, a tale of courage being tested all day and every day. -- Reg Green, Author of "The Nicolas Effect: A Boy's Gift to the World"

One of the hardest and earliest lessons we learn is that life isn't fair. Perhaps for that reason I don't usually take to inspirational books, which often attempt to portray a particular example of misfortune as a special gift, to be appreciated for its character-building qualities, or failing that, for an advantage so mysterious that no mere mortal can discern what it might be. Fortunately, that genre is transcended by The Power of Two, an astonishing account by twin sisters born with a genetic disease that should have killed them in infancy, and almost did. But they survived that and numerous other close calls and are now in their 30's, with degrees from Stanford University, newly transplanted lungs, and a gift for writing that takes us directly into their lives. This is an intimate, brutally honest and compelling memoir. -- Jeffrey Wine, PhD., Professor of Psychology, Pediatrics and Director, Program in Human Biology, Stanford University

This is an inspiring story of how two twins Isa and Ana are thriving with cystic fibrosis and double lung transplants. The story shares how CF can be an aggressive and cruel disease, but with resilience, good family and health care compliance, they were still able to lead very productive, active, and social professional lives. A book of HOPE and a must-read for any parent of a CF child or a person living with CF. -- Boomer Esiason, NFL Pro Football Player, President, Boomer Esiason Foundation, Parent of CF Child

From the Author

We are tremendously excited to offer our story to the world. Our purpose is to illustrate that we all have the potential to face illness with courage and hope, only when we surround ourselves with loving people who can teach us to see the good in everything.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: University of Missouri Press; 1 edition (October 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826217540
• ISBN-13: 978-0826217547
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,608 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Cystic Fibrosis

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Proud to be a member of this club, November 21, 2007

By 

Tiffany Christensen "Tiffc73" (Chapel Hill, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis (Hardcover)

As a person with cystic fibrosis, I have always shied away from CF memoirs. My attitude has been "I have CF, why do I need to read about your CF?" I can not tell you how thankful I am that I did not shy away from this extraordinary story of struggle, strength and love.
Ana and Isa are twins of Asian descent who both have cystic fibrosis. Statistically, the chances of this genetic combination is 1 in 1.8 billion. The uniqueness of these two women does not stop with their genetics.
Ana and Isa immerse the reader in the world of their mother's Japanese culture mixed with that of their German father. This alone makes the story fascinating. Add to it the bond between twins and the brother who sometimes stood on the outside looking in, and you have all the makings of a complex family drama. But the story is so much more than this reader could ever put into a few sentences.
Throughout their childhood, across the seas in Japan and Germany, on into their time studying at Stanford and into adulthood, there is another character that is a constant: cystic fibrosis. I, too, have struggled with CF but after reading this book, I feel as though my "fight" pales in comparison. Never have I been witness to such an intense will to live and to thrive. There are many authors who might try to convince a reader to believe "life is precious" or to "seize the day." For these twins, no such statements were necessary. I was inspired to live harder and better only by their example. These strong individuals rarely felt self-pity and I never felt their tales to be histrionic. I so appreciated the clean, simple and honest way they allowed this breathtaking story to unfold.
In addition to feeling humbled by these women, I also felt a little bit jealous. As the only child in my family with CF and as a person who had no friends with CF during the younger years, I could not help but to wish I had my own Ana or Isa by my side. The devotion these twins had for each other was astounding and, in all likelihood, life-saving. In times when there was no one else, they gave each other the strenuous therapy needed to clear their sickly lungs and provided the emotional support and understanding that could only come from someone who has "been there, done that."
All in all, this is a book about "A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis" but it is also so much more. Many books about CF leave the reader feeling sad and overwhelmed. I am happy to say, this book left me rejuvenated and excited about life. I am a member of this club--the cystic fibrosis club. Ana and Isa's wisdom, strength and resilience make me eternally proud to be a member to which such amazing people belong. I can not wait to read this book again and again.
This is a book for everyone, inside the club or not!

Tiffany Christensen
author, Sick Girl Speaks!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you for giving me a way to share with my family........., December 31, 2007

By 

Robin Modlin (Palo Alto, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis (Hardcover)

Having known and loved Ana and Isa for at least 15 years and being a mom of one of their close friends who is an adult with CF I am so grateful to them for writing this book. The raw honesty and intimacy of sharing their lives is unusual. We live with CF in so many hidden ways. It is behind closed doors where much of the struggles occur whether being the disease processes, treatments or personal grieving. Being able to share a true picture of what it is like to deal with CF or any life threatening chronic illness is difficult at best. You know when people ask, how is it? We usually say, "fine". But the story about CF is far more complicated than, "fine". Thank you Ana and Isa for telling your story that is so readable so that I can share it with my family. Perhaps this will give them a glimpse into our lives that is so hard to share in words other than, "fine". May it be read widely and a greater understanding into the lives of those that live with these challenges be better understood.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing depiction of their interesting lives, April 7, 2008

By 

E. D. H "Edh" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis (Hardcover)

I agree with what Tiffany wrote before me. I'm also an adult with CF, just hit 30. I had considered writing my own little CF memoir, but these girls did such an awesome job with their vivid depiction of their experiences, thoughts and emotions throughout their lives, they covered it all. Their journey brings you into the world of all stages of CF from everyday maintenance to near death experiences, how it's changed since the 70's, the treatments, the pain and the joy in meeting others in this special CF club. As others have said, this book covers so much more. With a German father and Japanese mother, they take you through life as biracial twins in America and Japan, their travels around the world, and the amazing support they found in family and eachother, then much much later boyfriends. Their story is brutally honest about their experiences, and they've had some tough ones. What I loved most was this honesty and ability to infuse some funny in their situations and not take themselves too seriously. It's refreshing. The narration of their mother was hilarious, even though she's their biggest supporter it seems. My only complaint is I'm jealous they went to CF camp and met Bob Flanagan, the camps were gone by the time I knew they existed.

Brilliant girls, thank you!