Guestbook
Beneath the following two endorsements, are comments left by visitors to the site. Please add your own by sending them to diana @ dianasanders.net (Note: If you want to type the address into your e-mail program please ensure you miss out the two spaces, either side of the @ symbol.)
Endorsments
John Wallwork, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Papworth Hospital
All of us involved in transplantation have witnessed the marvellous transformation that a successful transplant can mean. We see the highs and the lows, the frustrations and the worries that patients go through. None of us, however, can truly understand what it is actually like to have a life-threatening illness that is transformed by the prospect of an organ transplant. How it feels when you are told that your illness requires such an intervention, what it feels like to be on the waiting list, the doubts and fears that go through your mind before, during and after a transplant. How your personality can change when on steroids in the early post transplant period, when elation can be so quickly damned by the complications that can set in and, of course, the inevitable consequences and effect this has on your family and friends as you go through this process. Diana Sanders has chronicled a journey leading up to and through her heart-lung transplant procedure. It is a gripping, lucid account of a roller-coaster of events and emotions affecting her and those closely surrounding her, giving us a unique insight into the effects transplantation can have that we can observe, but never truly feel and understand. These insights, I am sure, translate across any other field of medicine and surgery and this book should be an essential “read” for all who deliver healthcare.
Brian Thompson, author of ‘Keeping Mum’, Costa Book Prize Shortlist, 2006
Diana Sanders has given us one of the few accounts of major surgery written from the patient’s point of view. What results is a human-interest story of great poignancy. Excellent.
Paul Stewart, author of The Edge Chronicles and Far-Flung stories, winner of three Smarties Awards
A truly inspirational book. From her earliest childhood, Diana Sanders refused to give in to a debilitating heart-condition and has ultimately triumphed over it. Outstanding!
Feedback from individuals
Diana,
Just had to buy your book and find out how others cope with the effects of a Transplant. I had a heart and lung transplant in July 2005. It has been a big change for me and there have be times I found it really hard to cope. Like yourself I had a congental heart disease and Eisenmengers. I had to start using a wheelchair from the age of 10 and by 32 I was used to a life as a wheelchair user and my condition never really held me back but then as you know things started to deteriorate. I was very lucky as I was only on the waiting list 5 weeks before I had my transplant. I don't think anyone truly realises how tough it is until they go through it. I had no idea about the mental effects the op would have and I also had damage to my vocal chord nerves meaning I was asperating and was not able to eat or drink for 4 months post transplant which put me in a deep depression. the anguish I put my parents throughmust have been awful but they stayed with me through out my 3 month stay in hospital. I'm now back up living in Leeds and working back in the cinema business as a cinema manager which I love. I find it difficult to walk long distances still as 22 years in a wheelchair caused all my tendons in my legs and feet to tighten but I do what I can and make the most of this new lease on life.
Your book is a true inspiration and an honest read, with great humour and a story of a true fighter with spirit and love for life.
Regards, Darren.
Wow Diana,
what an amazing read. Honest, humorous, factual and informative, and not avoiding the downside... I laughed and cried in equal measure.
I think there are two types of transplantee you know - those who are fit before hitting a crisis and then need the transplant - who recover quickly and even, in some cases, go back to their previous life within a month or two! Who make it all seem so easy... perhaps like me.
And then there are those who have lived with a condition all their lives, preventing them from being fit - meaning the recovery process invariably involves struggling to regain the fitness you had before the transplant - before you can even try to become 'better than before'.
I think it's really important to hear how difficult it can be but also that it's OK to despair, and that you can get through it and come out the other side.
Thank you so much for writing and sharing your story.
Caroline M, transplant recipient.
Hi Diana,
Nice to have been in touch with you. I guess in a way we have both been in the same boat so to say. I am seven and a half years post heart transplant. Maybe readers of your guest book can read my story from my website: www.mickybyrne.com. Keep well.
Regards,
Micky Byrne, transplant recipient.
Dear Diana,
I read your article yesterday (The Independent, Tuesday 25.07.2006) and was helped and moved by it in equal measures.
I had a kidney transplant 7 months ago after 6 long years on dialysis. Although my condition was not so acute as yours, like you I looked to transplantation as my chance for a normal life. I rehearsed all the emotions I thought I would feel when the call came and, I assumed I had all aspects covered.
When the call did come late on a Thursday night, I didn't feel any of the relief I expected. My first thought was that somewhere a family was grieving for the death of a loved one. During the whole traumatic experience: fear of dying, the kidney not working, the pain and the truly nasty side effects of the medication, the one constant was the almost spiritual connection I felt for my donor.
I'm not a conventionally religious person, yet I felt him almost as a presence, and like you I felt genuine grief for him. His name was Jonathan, he was 38 years old and he was killed in a car crash. He was deeply mourned by his parents and his sister, who bravely honoured his wish to donate; he always carried a card. I have written to them thanking them, the transplant co-ordinator said that, in a small way it helped them to know Jonathan's death helped two people regain their lives. John the other recipient shared my feelings, one day we met in the ward corridor and cried together for Jonathan.
Now after difficult times I'm regaining my health and my lively personality, I felt like I went away for a few years and now I'm back. Like you I do not feel morbid about my donor, I often thank him when I can do things previously barred to me, and when I'm feeling sorry for myself, I think of the gift he gave me.
Thank you for writing the book, which I will buy. Transplantation, even with the love and support of friends and family can be a lonely experience, and as we both know nothing can really prepare you for it. Only someone who has been through it can truly understand. I hope your book will be widely read by medical staff, patients and donor families.
I wish you good health for a long time to come, and I must say you look amazing. A real inspiration!
Best Wishes,
Marilyn Davis.
Dear Diana,
I've just finished the book, which I found unputdownable and profoundly inspiring.
Love,
Linette.
Hi Di,
Loving the book - even having read the early manuscript - you have managed to present an even more intimate but practical look at all the ups and downs of the last few years. An important message is the call to carry the donor card.
Hope you manage to spend some relaxing time after the lauch at Windfall Cottage - the ideal place for R & R - oh the shameless plug!
Rob Sanders.
Diana,
Thanks for the prompt delivery of the book. I enjoyed reading it - almost finishing it in one go!
The roller coaster of your recent experiences, both medical and emotional, over many years was quite a ride in just a few days. It was a pleasure to get to know you - and Mo - through the book and I feel the whole issue of organ donation was covered very well in your final chapters and given more depth by the fact that you can speak from such an intimate standpoint.
I feel that it is an issue which should be discussed in schools and your book would make a great source for the debate. Put it on the " citizenship agenda", I say. Where is the Jamie Oliver of the issue?
Regards,
Judy Davidson.
Dear Diana,
I have just read your book and wanted to write to say how much I enjoyed it. I work for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and know a few people on the transplant list, including Emily Thackray, on whose blog I found the link to your website. I found your book extremely interesting and it has really given me an insight into how somebody who has had a transplant feels and what they go through. I think it can be a very common thought that once someone has had their transplant that's it - problem solved! - but your book has made it really clear that that's not the case at all and that's it's one part of the big jigsaw.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I had read and really enjoyed your book. I will be passing it round to my work colleagues as I am sure they will all take an interest in it too.
Rose,
Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Hello Ms. Sanders,
I have very recently read your book "Will I Still Be Me?" and just have to tell you how much I loved it. My daughter, who gave me the book, works in Heart/Lung Transplant, formerly at Papworth, and not only did I recognise names but could relate to what you were saying even although I do know the place but do not personally know the people there.
I met a lady two Christmas Eve`s ago on her way to theatre looking awful. Until that time I was not fully convinced of the benefit of transplant. When I saw her a few days later I was more than convinced that it was magic. You have fully convinced me that it is great.
Your description of all the emotions and traumas of the procedure are spell-binding. Thank you for your fantastic descriptions, your courage and I wish you well in your new lease of life. May it be a long one.
With kind regards,
Aileen Kelly,
Aberdeen, Scotland.
Di,
Nice site and very informative, I had a double lung transplant January 1998 I am keeping fine, All the best with the book.
Take a look at my website: mylungtransplant.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Cheers,
Vic Rawlins, transplant recipient.
Great website Di,
I'm really impressed! Just read your article in the Oxford Times also -- wow! Well done you for getting the book out there, and keeping the price down! I'm really looking forward to the launch.
Love,
Penny
Give the gift of life. Join the NHS Organ Donor Register. Organ Donor Line 0845 60 60 400 http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/register
Right now more than 8,000 people in the UK need an organ transplant that could save or improve their life. But each year around 400 people die while waiting for a transplant.
If you want to help someone live after your death, sign up to the register now. Click here to find out more.