Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - Respiratory Therapy    2. Diseases - Respiratory    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Family & Health    6. Health & Fitness / General    7. Medicine: General Issues    8. joanne schum,1553696840,02-0497,lung transplantation,respiratory illness,lung illness,cystic fibrosis,alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency,emphasema,copd,transplant centers,double lung transplant breathing surgery pulmonary illness   

Reviews (5)

For you child's sake, I beg you to read this review
There is significant evidence that the root cause of many, if not most, cases of asthma (and many allergies as well) is deficiency of magnesium. This fact is discussed in detail by Dr. Carolyn Dean in her excellent book The Miracle of Magnesium. Dr. Dean recommends that all asthma sufferers take supplemental magnesium daily -- 600 mg daily for addults (proportionally less, according to their body weight, for children). People with asthma who follow Dr. Dean's advice about daily magnesium supplementation often improve dramatically even if they have continued to struggle with asthma under other treatments which omit magnesium supplementation. For your child's sake, please read Dr. Dean's important book and follow her advice regarding daily magnesium supplementation. It may well be the most important thing you will ever due to relieve this terrible ailment. By the way, although a variety of magnesium supplements are available, and beneficial, chelated magnesium -- which is readily available in most health food stores -- is the most effective.

Every parent dealing with asthma should have this!!
I have never reviewed a book before despite always reading the reviews before buying a book.No book has ever changed my life the way that this one has!!My son was diagnosed in March 2003 and his doctor thought his asthma would just be something that was tacked onto the end of a cold and nothing more.Unfortunately he seemed to always have a new cough (classic asthma symptom).I bought this book because I was interested in learning more about the disease and becoming a patient advocate for my son.Having this book is a gift!It has changed our lives.We were scared and now we're prepared!My son has not had the cough since we started the program in June.We've been using the recommended daily monitoring and preventive meds and life is grand.If you're dealing with asthma, BUY THIS BOOK!

Just what we needed
This book was just what we needed to help us understand and control our son's asthma. Dr. Farber explains things in a clear and easy to understand manner. I keep this book accessible at all times. I definitely recommend it to anyone who has a child suffering from asthma. It's great for first time parents of asthmatic children and for those who have had years of experience as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asthma    2. Asthma in children    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Consumer Health    5. Diet / Health / Fitness    6. Diseases - Respiratory    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health Care Issues    9. Health/Fitness    10. Popular works    11. Health & Fitness / Healing   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - Respiratory    3. Infectious Diseases    4. Medical    5. Tuberculosis    6. Infectious & contagious diseases    7. Popular medicine   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - Respiratory    3. Ex-smokers    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Nutrition    7. Reducing exercises    8. Smoking cessation programs    9. Weight Loss    10. Health & Fitness / Weight Loss   

Reviews (1)

Good source for basic information
You too, may have suffer from Chronic Sinusitis.This book does an excellent job of explaining what are the common problems assoiated with chronic sinusitis.I had suffered with Chronic Sinusitis for years.This book is helpful in telling you what you problems that you have, and their solutions.
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Subjects:  1. Allergies    2. Consumer Health    3. Diseases - Respiratory    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Popular works    8. Sinusitis    9. Coping with illness    10. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Respiratory   

Editorial Review

There's nothing more frightening than witnessing a child's asthma attack, listening to her wheeze and cough and fight for every breath--and sharing her panic. Fortunately, pharmaceutical advances have resulted in a whole new class of drugs that prevents or relieves asthma flare-ups. But do you want your child on drugs, with their potential short- and long-term side effects? Besides, asthma drugs treat the symptoms without treating the underlying condition. Are there alternatives that can lessen an asthmatic child's drug dependency? Yes, say authors Steven J. Bock, Kenneth Bock, and Nancy P. Bruning. "It is our belief that asthma rates continue to soar because of our increasingly toxic environment," they write. "Our children are assaulted from every direction with indoor and outdoor air pollution, poor food, and stress." The cumulative toxicity makes children more susceptible to diseases. In this book the authors present a natural asthma program to complement your child's conventional care and help to reduce asthma attacks and drug dependency. This includes reducing asthma triggers (including advice for "saying goodbye to Fluffy"); eating a cleaner, more nourishing diet (emphasizing plant foods); taking supplements, herbs, and homeopathic remedies; and learning to cope with emotional stress. The book ends with three case studies of children who used the program in various ways and dramatically improved their health. Read more

Reviews (1)

Powerful information for parents!
This book helped our family put the brakes on the out-of-control rollercoaster ride of asthma. "Natural Relief for Your Child's Asthma" empowers parents with page after page of specific instructionson how to reduce your child's dependence on medication by understanding thelimits of conventional medicine, finding andavoiding triggers, using foodas a healer, using supplements to strengthen your child and usingalternative mind-body medicine to enhance your child's well-being.Whilethe authors have lots of great information about how to reduce dependenceon medicine over time, they aren't zealots who encourage you to turn yourback on conventional medicine.The real power that comes from this book isthat now, when I go to see my child's asthma specialist, I can ask informedquestions about my son's condition.I'm no longer a note taker jottingdown what medicines my child should take when.I can encourage my doctorto challenge us to make dietary and lifestyle changes to detoxify ourchild's environment that he might not otherwise have mentioned assumingthat we would prefer the "easy" way out of finding stronger andstronger medicines to rescue our child.I strongly encourage any parent ofa child with asthma to read this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Alternative treatment    3. Asthma    4. Asthma in children    5. Children    6. Children with Special Needs    7. Diseases - Respiratory    8. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    9. Health/Fitness    10. Medical    11. Naturopathy    12. Popular works    13. Complementary Medicine    14. Coping with illness    15. Paediatric medicine   

Reviews (5)

A fantastic publication for all, especially for parents!
A very informative and well-written book describing colds, flu, sinusitis, pneumonia and other common winter ailments. Dr. Schachter tells you what's happening with the ailment, how to treat it, and best of all, how to prevent it for the future.
Great Book!
This is a very readable book that gives you the information your doctor often does not take the time to tell you.The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds and Flu is smart, practical and well researched.Not only does Dr.Schachter explain how to prevent and treat colds, he explains the science behind his advice.I also really liked the way he combined natural and traditional remedies.Excellent job!

Very helpful and comprehensive
This book was very helpful. It was a good guide to what I can do to help myself when I get a cold or the flu and included ways to protect against contracting it (which I wasn't aware of until I had read it).
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Subjects:  1. Cold (Disease)    2. Consumer Health    3. Diseases - Contagious    4. Diseases - Respiratory    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Infectious Diseases    8. Influenza    9. Personal Health    10. Popular works    11. Pulmonary & Thoracic Medicine    12. Respiratory infections    13. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Respiratory    14. Popular medicine    15. Traditional medicine & remedies   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Diseases - Respiratory    4. Diseases, Obstructive    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Lungs    8. Miscellanea    9. Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive    10. Questions & Answers    11. Respiratory Diseases    12. Coping with illness    13. Health & Fitness / General    14. Popular medicine   

Reviews (2)

This book is a life saver!!
I am an allergy sufferer who recently developed asthma and anaphalyxis (a severe life threatening condition where your airway may be come obstructed and your blood pressure dramatically drops).After suffering 7 anaphalactic episodes in a week and a half (which required calling 911 and one hospital admission) I decided to pick up this book.My doctors couldn't figure out the trigger for these episodes, but this book had the answers.After reading the chapter that deals with food allergies that trigger asthma and anaphalyxis, we discovered that some of the foods I had eaten had sulfur dioxide as a preservative.I knew I was allergic to sulfa drugs, but it never occurred to me to look for sulfur in foods.I have become an avid label reader since.This book also offers insight on avoiding and removing asthma triggers, as well as how to recognize and treat an on-set of an asthma attack.I can't say enough good things for this book.Do yourself and your doctor a favor--get this book!!

Surveys and evaluates all manner of asthma therapies
Jonathan Brostoff, M.D. andbiochemist Linda Gamlin bring together their extensive expertise on evolutionary biology, the immune system, integrative medicine, and allergies therapies to present the non-specialist general reader with a clear, accessible, comprehensive guide to all aspects of on of today's most common and widespread health problems in Asthma: The Complete Guide To Integrative Therapies. This exhaustive tome surveys and evaluates all manner of asthma therapies ranging from common pharmaceuticals to alternative medicine approaches. The authors include a step-by-step program to help asthma sufferers identify triggers and make healthful changes. Special advice is provided parents with asthmatic children for the purpose of helping families insure those children live happier, healthier lives. Of special note is the information provided expectant parents with asthma to reduce their risk of their unborn child in acquiring this respiratory affliction. Asthma: The Complete Guide To Integrative Therapies is simply the best guide currently available to asthmatics and their families. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Alternative treatment    3. Asthma    4. Consumer Health    5. Diseases - Respiratory    6. General    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Popular works    10. Health & Fitness / Alternative Therapies    11. Health   

Reviews (2)

Best Book on Asthma and Allergies!
I don't usually buy books about health inssues, but we've been struggling with my daughter.She has allergies and asthma and I am so afraid of the medicines and my doctors never seem to have enough time for me.This book has been a godsend!Dr. Dozor really seems to know what he is talking about.I wish he was near me. If you have children with allergies or asthma, you have to buy this book.

Fabulous book on asthma and allergies in kids
If your child suffers from asthma or allergies, you have to get this book!Practical, concise, funny, I learned something in every chapter.At last a book I can use, easy to read, full of warm and friendly advice.I loved this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergies    2. Allergy in children    3. Asthma in children    4. Care    5. Consumer Health    6. Diseases - Respiratory    7. Health/Fitness    8. Patients    9. Pediatrics    10. Prevention    11. Medical / General    12. Paediatric medicine   

Reviews (8)

Why should I read this book? ...I don't have asthma!
WOW!! Talk about a "Tah Dah" experience, an "ephiphany", a life changing moment.I was attending a feild seminar as a graduate student in the School of Social Work fortunately Dr. Schafer was scheduled to present Spirituality in Social Work Practice. I was so impressed by Dr. Schafer's ideas, beliefs and her approach to life, I told myself, "I've got to get this book."I didn't know what I would discover, since I don't have asthma. I thought I would just read the book.However,the skills, ideas, tools presented between the covers of this easy to read, to the point book are appropriate for anyone seeking to make a change in their life.I discovered the mental imagery, other exercises, philosophy of FUN (to name just a few)are effective tools or methods for people whose abiltiy to take in vital life support is restricted by self doubt, expectations, fear.Anything that keeps us from living life abundantly can be addressed using the information and philosophyDr. Kathryn Schafer shares.She knows from personal experience and her story is amazing and inspirational.

Would you deal with diabetes this way?
This book fell far short of my expectations. It focused on a few things that may trigger asthma, but discussed them as if they were the disease process itself. Especially confusing is that this book offers an approach that disables the person with asthma (limiting his or her choice), but couches this disability in terms of acceptance, personal liberation and self-actualization. Most people with asthma (about 95%) can live perfectly normal, active lives that are rarely affected by the disease. Asthma does not have to be the centerpiece of their self-identification. Asthma is a controllable disease. Follow the approach of these authors, and the disease controls you. Their approach is not much different than telling a child not to run around - thereby limiting his or her social and physical development - instead of administering appropriate preventive medication. Asthma is a lifelong chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs with multiple phenotypes. The disease process is characterized by airway inflammation. Everyone has a unique set of asthma triggers. Some people's asthma may be triggered by attitudes, belief systems, and behavior, although the most common triggers are environmental exposure and upper respiratory infections. Recent research in peer-reviewed journals indicates that airway remodeling can result when the inflammation process is not controlled through anti-inflammatory therapy. In other words, a reversible airway disease becomes static, cellular composition is permanently altered, and pulmonary function is compromised. Take the F.U.N. approach at your own risk. Pulmonary function deteriorates as part of the aging process. Research consistently shows that people with asthma who control the inflammation process with daily anti-inflammatory medication and reduce exposure to allergens have stronger pulmonary function as they age. And people with asthma who do not use anti-inflammatory medications suffer marked deterioration of pulmonary function as they age. New evidence is starting to emerge that asthma not treated with anti-inflammatory medication also is linked to increased hyper-reactivity of the airways. In other words, their lungs become "twitchy" with smaller and smaller exposures triggering inflammation. Their lives become increasingly restricted. If publishers were liable for medical malpractice awards, readers would have to sign consent forms waiving their rights to redress before they could buy irresponsible feel-good books like this. In summary, asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs. Work in partnership with your doctor or nurse practitioner to find the appropriate medication to control the airway inflammation process. Once you have control of the pharmacotherapy, then try alternative or complementary medical approaches, and measure their efficacy by how much you can reduce your anti-inflammatory medication without increasing symptoms or need for urgent medical services, or restricting activity. Good luck.

Become All You Can Be Through The Power Of Your Mind
My teenaged daughter has asthma and carries her inhaler wherever she goes. I see the limitations that this illness places on her.I do not ascribe to the medical view that illness has only a physical origin.I consider thatthe body cannot be separated from the internal workings of a person, i.e.thoughts, emotions, beliefs and outlook. I purchased this book basedon the author of the forward, Dr. Gerald Epstein, whose books, HealingVisualizations and Healing Into Immortality,I regard as essential toolsfor daily life.I read Asthma Free in one sitting.I found it to befascinating, informative, original and in some ways, redemptive. Theinherent message is that all of us have the power to choose the course ofour lives, including the physical ills that cause us to suffer.Theauthors compile scientific research with original interpretation andcreative exercises.In fact, the name and meaning of the program - theF.U.N. Program - actually presents a method to conquer any difficulty foundin life.The three steps - to focus, to undo and to act - form the threeessential movements of all mindbody healing work. First, one mustrecognize the issue. To do this requires a moment of stepping away from theemotional story or the physical symptom.You cannot see the paintingifyou stand pressed against it.Second, you need to reverse the situation toexperience how it would be for you would livelifewithoutturmoil; evenif you only imaginefor a instant, this allows you to glimpse life in anentirely new way. Third, you must act. You must bring this new perspectiveinto your everyday life and not confine it tointellectual awareness. These three directions, learned in principleduring the authors' studywith Dr. Epstein, offer a way to freedom from asthma.I feel quitefortunate to discover an organized system for health based on theperspective that I have always held.Now, I just have to convince mydaughter that she can heal herself from asthma.Teenagers are not knownfor their ready acceptance of parental suggestions.But, I know that soonshe too will tire of this illness and will then be prepared to acceptresponsibility to heal herself.I will then give her this invaluable book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - General    2. Alternative treatment    3. Asthma    4. Consumer Health    5. Diet / Health / Fitness    6. Diseases - Respiratory    7. Healing    8. Health & Fitness    9. Health aspects    10. Health/Fitness    11. Mind and body    12. Popular works    13. Pulmonary & Thoracic Medicine    14. Complementary Medicine    15. Popular medicine   

Reviews (6)

scary and revealing
For those of you unfamiliar with tuberculosis: TB is a life-threatening disease that is caused by bacteria. It is treatable, but the treatment is lengthy (at least 6-8 months) and relatively costly (around $900 in the US). If patients do not receive the correct combination of antibiotics, or if they stop treatment prematurely, they may develop (or transmit) multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis, a disease which is nearly impossible to treat, treatment requiring up to 2 years of taking very expensive (up to $250,000 for 1 case of multi-drug-resistant TB) antibiotics that have a lot of side effects.
anger
This book is captivating and reads well, however I have found myself overcome with rage and anger while reading.Here's a couple of thoughts.First of all intellectual imperialism.Russia lost the cold war -- therefore the achievements of Soviet research, science etc are useless, primitive, unscientific.The author says, for example, that "English is the language of science", and that Russian doctors who speak English and can therefore read scientific literature in English are far more advanced than Russian doctors who only read literature in Russian, since Russian methods of medicine are at least 50 years behind Western ones. (I have never heard of an American scientist, however, who had learned Russian and studied Russian scientific and medical literature.)The author dismisses Russian treatment methods as barbaric just because they are different from the orthodoxy of treatment prescribed in the States.That's one point.Secondly, extremely frustrating is the absense of numerical data or statistics.DOTS is always more effective than the methods used by Russian medics, but no stats or studies as to this issue are ever sited.The one time the author does site a study (Tomsk) where 50 patients treated with DOTS were compared with 50 patients treated with the classical Soviet method, he is forced to admit that the cure rates were equal!!!!!!!So what then of his argument that Soviet medical treatment is not based on evidence and is barbaric?Also, TB was on a steady decline throughout the Soviet period, -- isn't that evidence enough that the Soviet way to treat TB is not entirely bogus? A Riveting and Absorbing Book!
This shocking book focuses on the emerging public health threat associated with the rise of multiple drug resistant (MDR) strains of tuberculosis, especially in the former Soviet bloc of countries. In an age when worldwide travel can be accomplished in days if not hours, the connectivity between what is transpiring in the underdeveloped world and within our own borders is more striking than ever before. Therefore, we must recognize the threat posed by the emergence of such strains, and prepare to deal with the almost inevitable outbreaks of such strains of TB as they begin to occur in modern western societies.Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - Respiratory    3. Life Sciences - Biology - General    4. Life Sciences - Biology - Microbiology    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Infectious & contagious diseases    8. Public health & preventive medicine    9. Science / General   

Reviews (1)

Great resource book
Snoring Can Kill is very informative about the cause and dangers of sleep apnea. It includes a detailed description of the sleep study. Goldstein said "There are safe and effective medical solutions readily available to help a person stop snoring." However, no safe and effective solutions were offered. Suggested treatments have been proven to not be very successful. This book is a good resource book for sleep centers, respiratory therapists and the Sleep Disorders Dental Society members. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diseases - Respiratory    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Otolaryngology   

Reviews (1)

very informative and easy to follow and understandthis book
this book has made it possible for me to understand my illness and be able to undestand what is happening to my body and to be able to care for myself in a more energy efficient way.tina dorsey ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. Diseases    3. Diseases - Respiratory    4. Diseases, Obstructive    5. Health/Fitness    6. Lungs    7. Popular works    8. Respiratory Diseases   

Reviews (1)

Great book.
This is a great comprehensive book.I really like the author's approach.He gives both a short-term solution to some problems and some ideas on how to continually improve your health and vitality throughout your life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asthma    2. Consumer Health    3. Diseases - Respiratory    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Holism    8. Holistic medicine    9. Popular works    10. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Respiratory   

Reviews (1)

An essential home guide
How will a parent know if a rash or reaction is due to a flu, an insect sting, or a more serious allergy? The Complete Kid's Allergy and Asthma Guide: The Parent's Handbook for Children of All Ages provides parents with a handbook for all ages, including food allergies, airborne allergies, and insect allergies among its quick reference lists of symptoms and treatment options. An essential home guide, this should be in every parent's health library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergies    2. Allergy in children    3. Asthma in children    4. Child    5. Consumer Health    6. Diseases - Respiratory    7. Gynecology & Obstetrics    8. Health & Fitness    9. Health & Healing - General    10. Health/Fitness    11. Hypersensitivity    12. Popular Works    13. diagnosis    14. Allergy in children - Popular works    15. Asthma in children - Popular works    16. Child care & upbringing    17. Health & Fitness / Allergies    18. Popular medicine   

Reviews (9)

ESSENTIAL READING
I have read numerous books about asthma in children, but this book is by far the best.The information is presented in a clear, understandable way, but is not so simplified as to be unhelpful.The book is full of good tips and pertinent information; it's like spending an hour or two talking with an asthma specialist.The book has what I found to be invaluable information about how to monitor asthma in children who are too young to use peak flow meters.A system called "asthma signs" is used and is a wonderful way to identify problems and monitor asthma in young children. Recommend highly
This book became my single source for reference about asthma. Till I found this book, I was reading anything and everything that I could find on the net about asthma. My 3 year old had an asthma episode as a result of a viral infection. She has an excellent pediatrician and we chose to care for her at home. I got great comfort in knowing that the things we did intuitively were the recommended things in this book. It helps to have a good doctor. It also helps to have this book as a friend. While I was freaking out that my daughter had asthma, this book helped me calm down cos I realized that it could be worse. My heart goes out to all the children who suffer. If you are a parent of a young child with asthma, read this book. It will help you understand what asthma is all about in plain words and give you an idea of what you can do to make your child's life more comfortable by learning to identify the symptoms and manage your child's asthma better. Make sure you have a good doctor, too!!

Incredibly helpful
Last weekend my seven year old son had an asthma attack with no warning, his first ever.Our doctor treated him competently and he is now recovering nicely, but the information we were given -- and all the drugs and instructions -- were a bit overwhelming.My first response was to try to find some good books on asthma in children, and I was lucky enough to find this one.It explains everything you need to know about asthma in easy-to-understand language.I learned many important facts about the biology of asthma, the drugs my son is taking, long-term care and management of asthma, and -- perhaps most importantly -- the questions I should be asking his doctor.The book is well illustrated, including pictures of all the different kinds of inhalers and spacers, how to properly administer different medications, etc. (particularly useful for newcomers to the world of asthma). I also really liked all the information and sample forms showing how to keep an "asthma diary" of your child's symptoms and treatment.The first-person stories of how other parents have dealt with their children's asthma were helpful, especially for putting things into perspective.In summary, this book really helped me to understand what we are facing, and I now feel much better able to deal with it.I have other asthma books on order, but I doubt I'll need them -- it is hard to imagine how any other book on asthma in children could top this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergies    2. Asthma in children    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Diseases - Respiratory    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Health - General    8. Medical    9. Pediatrics    10. Popular works   

Reviews (15)

Current and Hopeful
After a diagnosis of COPD and/or asthma, I did what I always do. I set outto learn as much as possible. This is a wonderful, comprehensive andhopeful book. I have checked much of the info with my pulmonary MD and hetoo was most impressed and is suggesting it to patients. It is written inunderstandable terms, with a fine resources section. I learned a lot, andfelt a bit more in control of this disease. Because if you give in, it will"git ya". Well done!

BUY THE BOOK IF YOUHAVE ALLERGIES/ASTHMA/SINUSITIS
Couldn't breathe. Bought this book. Showed my doctor who changed all my medications. That was six months ago. TODAY? I BREATHE so well that I'm training for the NY marathon. It's hard for me to believe that getting theRIGHT medication can be crucial for allergy and asthma. But I'm a believer.

Buy this book!
I have had allergies since birth--and never have felt good until I did the things written in this book. An excellent book on why allergies happen and what you can do--today--to stop them. I took the book to my doctor and shechanged my medication to include steroid nasal inhalers. This helped me gothrough two pollen seasons without missing any work. SUPERB!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergies    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diseases    5. Diseases - Respiratory    6. General    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health Care Issues    9. Health/Fitness    10. Popular works    11. Respiratory Diseases    12. Respiratory organs    13. Respiratory system    14. Respiratory medicine   

Editorial Review

It would be easy to assume that the story of Elizabeth Rothenberg's battle with cystic fibrosis is one of a brave young woman staying constantly positive in the face of tremendous adversity. But situations such as hers are rarely that simple. Thankfully, the portrait that emerges in her memoir, Read more

Reviews (16)

Yes, But...?
I agree with others that this is a compelling and touching book. But I don't think it correctly portrays the true Laura Rothenberg. Towards the end of the book, friends and family write what Laura meant to them. In these short bits we learn about Laura's true personality, and her passion for writing. I feel like I am missing something - this book needs Laura's true essence infused in it. I would have liked this book to have included more of her poetry, more of her personal writings, and more about her personal life and self. The moments where we glimpse into her soul shine forth with passion and are the things that make the book shine, but are needed in greater amounts. While it was terribly sad to read about the medical hell she went through, I felt I couldn't connect with who Laura really was. Perhaps one day her family will release some more of her writings, and I feel that these will be even more powerful than this current volume.

heartfelt and sad but ultimately not compelling
this book is well enough written, and its author goes through hell. her struggles were difficult; her death was tragic.however, this book doesn't capture the deepest level of her experience.it's somehow not very personal, although it's a memoir about the author.it reads a lot more like a diary, with events noted and visitors named but not much reflection on the meanings of things or explanation of the relationships the author had.not a bad book, but somewhat flat.

please read this book
I am a 26 year old woman with cystic fibrosis.In reading Laura's memoirs I found a very real and honest view of what we (cf patients) go thru everyday.Laura had an amazing strength and courage to endure all her trials and I found reading her personal story helped me understand some of my own feelings.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Diseases - Respiratory    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Respiratory Diseases    7. Specific Groups - Special Needs    8. Women    9. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Subjects:  1. Caregiving    2. Consumer Health    3. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    4. Diseases - Respiratory    5. Eldercare    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Medicine    9. Gerontology    10. Family    11. Health