Compiled by Joanne Schum
It occurred to me today that the best books stay with you. And the ‘best’ books aren’t necessarily classics—or brilliantly written manuscripts. They can seem pretty simple, really, except that they have a lasting effect: They leave you thinking, questioning, and wondering. When you least expect it you are reminded of something you read.
Perhaps that’s what makes Taking Flight: Inspirational Stories of Lung Transplantation compiled by Joanne Schum one of those books.
Because, there on my hands and knees in the middle of my kitchen, a “paradigm shift” came over me: I realized how lucky I was to be well enough to do this menial chore, a feeling repeated throughout Taking Flight. Contributors comment on the frustration of not being able to do every day tasks: taking out the garbage, walking up a flight of stairs, doing laundry, etc. pre-transplant. Then, after transplant, even these tasks take on new meaning. As one 57-year-old said, “Now I can do the important stuff…play with my grandkids, play with the dog, play in the snow…” What’s more, the experience seems to imbue perspective: “Life’s little annoyances don’t bother me anymore,” wrote another.
This book is a convenient companion—each vignette is a page or two, making it easy to stop and start, opening to any page. While not all people featured in the book have CF, the different experiences and insights are very enlightening. It is important to keep in mind that the book features only successful lung transplant stories about people from around the world “who now lead a successful life as a result of the new breath they have been given.”
Frankly, at first I had doubts about the book. I anticipated sappy epiphanies, stories of rebirth and renewal and astounding bravery in the face of fear. What I found instead were humble accounts of vast appreciation and hope. Thankfully, various points of view are represented: siblings, parents, spouses, caretakers. As I shared some compelling stories with my husband, he asked if donor families’ stories were included as well—perhaps that is fodder for Ms. Schum’s next book.
While I found myself interested in details about how decisions were made, and finally ‘getting the call’, I was even more impressed by the relationships developed with donor families. I was also struck by the immense gratitude transplant recipients felt. Typically, a transplant recipient would claim not to have the words to adequately thank the donor’s family only to do so quite eloquently. In some cases, donors and recipients knew each other or were related; in others, it was a matter of strangers taking their tragedies and turning them into miracles. In one case the transplant recipient became the godmother to her donor’s child!
For those contemplating receiving a transplant, this book is more philosophical than step-by-step or factual. Contributors tend to glide over the pain and complications they may have endured to reach one unanimous conclusion: They would do it again without hesitation. Again and again they write of how much they would have missed had they opted not to undergo transplant.
Taking Flight is ideal for both family members of donors and those of us who may be considering taking that second chance on life. The book offers the kind of hope doctors and statistics can’t, and may just change one or two minds.
Reviewed by Dawn McGuinness
Editor’s Note: To purchase this book or to print up an order form either visit http://www.2ndwind.org/shopping.htm or send a MONEY ORDER (only) for US$20 with your name and address to: Joanne Schum, 1104 Bay Road, Webster, NY 14580-1804 (you can request that Joanne sign the book if you wish). You can contact Joanne at this address or via email: luckylungsforjo @ aol.com.
