Sick Girl

"Remarkable.....Compelling....A searing insight into the battle to stay alive." - TED KOPPEL

I started reading the book, "Sick Girl" last nite and less than 24 hours later I am almost done with it....it is that compelling of a read.

The book tells the story of a 24 year old woman who gets cardiomyopathy ( a really sick heart) and undergoes a heart transplant at 25. While on the transplant waiting list (which lasts for 2 months), she gets engaged. One year, to the date, after the transplant she gets married. She later graduates from law school, adopts a son and goes 17 years living with the battle of surviving a heart transplant.

The battle is what the book is all about. Most folks think that when you get a heart transplant, you are magically cured. This book tells a whole different story. What you have is a new type of illness. One that comes with nasty medication, fear of illness and uncomfortable and life threatening medical procedures. All wrapped around the greatest fear of death.

The book is hitting close to home -- as you all know -- my dad had a transplant 10 1/2 years ago and much like the author of the book, has lived a remarkably healthy and long life since. But the message to me is what looks to the outside to be a gift and a really lucky guy is also a guy who struggles everyday with the medication, the fears, the limitations and the waiting for bad news from doctors.

I as a daughter, distance myself from that part of the experience, more and more as the years pass. I take for granted that Dad is cured - but it is really much more complex than that.

This book is a compelling read even if you are not close to a heart transplant survivor. I encourage you to find a quiet spot and read it. It will expand your heart and your mind.

"Sick Girl" by Amy Silverstein