Wrapped in Mourning: The Gift of Life and Donor Family Trauma (Series in Death, Dying, and Bereavement) [Hardcover]

Sue Holtkamp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001 | Series: Series in Death, Dying, and Bereavement

Based on 15 years of experience working with organ procurement organizations and donor families, Wrapped in Mourning addresses the heretofore unexplored subject of organ donor family trauma. This book covers the issues surrounding organ donation, including the history of organ transplantation, how organs are procured for transplantation, as well as the medical procedure itself. Each issue is explored with regards to its impact upon donor families. Ways to reduce grief, prevent problems, and increase the benefits of donating organs for the donating family are also discussed.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583910557
• ISBN-13: 978-1583910559
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A Transplant Patient Sees Another Side, July 2, 2008

By 

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

This review is from: Wrapped in Mourning: The Gift of Life and Donor Family Trauma (Series in Trauma and Loss) (Paperback)

I won't lie. This book was really hard to read at some points. Some of the stories in here are my nightmare. That my donor families would not feel at peace with their decision to donate...well, that's almost too much to bear.

But, the truth is the truth. As a transplant patient, I feel it is my responsibility to look at all of the realities that encircle donation, not just the ones that make me feel good. I learned things about grief and donor family perspectives that I never knew. Hearing about the mistakes in the hospital that cause such confusion and pain for donor families made me just sick. I know this system all too well to not know that those things are true. To have those things happen when you are struggling with death is simply tragic.

I am very glad I read this book. It only increased my appreciation for the two families that donated their loved ones lungs to save me from my own early death. But after reading this book, I see so much more clearly that, often, it's not about my near death at all. It's really about a family's loss. I think us recipients can lose sight of this simple fact very easily.

Thank you for writing this book.

Tiffany Christensen, Author of "Sick Girl Speaks!"