The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph Over Cystic Fibrosis provides Isabel (Isa) Stenzel Byrnes and Anabel (Ana) Stenzel the opportunity to discuss living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in the United States. While there have been many firsthand accounts of living with CF, this book sets itself apart by providing the perspective of twins who are of German (their father) and Japanese (their mother) heritage. The sisters discuss how they lived three distinct lives: one in the CF community, one in the home with two cultures and one in the world mostly ignorant to the problems and perils of CF.
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Isabel (Isa) Stenzel Byrnes and Anabel (Ana) Stenzel |
The multifaceted nature of the book focuses on their life from birth to transplant discussing topics such as siblings, insurance, survivor’s guilt and intimate relationships. While some language and concepts may be inappropriate for younger readers, CF adults will relate to experiences of living with CF. The authors’ knowledge of the disease coupled with common terminology allows any reader to better understand the disease and to better appreciate the daily trials of living with this chronic illness. Although it deals with the topic, this is not a book about illness. Instead, this book offers insight, encouragement and hope to CF patients worldwide. Their honesty, word choice and vivid details allow the book to unfold like a friend telling a story over tea or coffee. Essentially, the book is easy to read and hard to put down!
With each sister discussing the main events of their lives, the parallel stories take the reader on a journey through thirty years of sickness and survival. Despite the fact that each twin has a unique personality, the twins share a drive that enables them to travel abroad, to attend University and to obtain employment in the medical field. However, much to their chagrin, the sister’s lives become inexplicably intertwined as they become dependent on each other as caregivers. Luckily, medical advances allow them to survive long enough to undergo double lung transplant. Now each sister has embarked upon an individual life free of the complications of CF.
For more information on the book please visit: http://www.stenzeltwins.com. The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph Over Cystic Fibrosis by Isabel Stenzel Byrnes and Anabel Stenzel was published in 2007 by University of Missouri Press. The 312 page hardback book with 25 illustrations sells at various online bookstores for around 30 USD.
