When Allison Watson awoke that day, she knew she was in a hospital bed. That's all. She had no idea how much time had passed since she had seen her family. When she tried to focus, her vision was blurry, and when she tried to wave someone down, she became so exhausted she thought she was dying. Hours later, when Watson was able to communicate, she asked a nurse if the news was good or bad. "It's good news," the nurse replied. "You had your lung transplant four days ago."
About 4,100 people in Canada have cystic fibrosis, and many are living longer today, thanks, in part, to transplants. CF mainly affects the digestive system and lungs, and there is no cure. In this candid memoir, Watson describes living with the disease and her life-altering surgery in 2014. Watson and her sister, Amy, both grew up with CF, and Allison had always believed that Amy would be the one to get a transplant first. The decision to undergo surgery was not easy. Nor was the road to full recovery. In this book, Watson, who cycled across Canada with her brother in 2008 to raise awareness of CF, describes her journey.
A poignant, witty memoir of learning to cope with a frightening genetic disease-and of a life transformed thanks to an organ donor.
When Allison Watson awoke that day, she knew she was in a hospital bed. That's all. She had no idea how much time had passed since she'd seen her family. When she tried to focus, her vision was blurry, and when she tried to wave someone down, she became so exhausted she thought she was dying. Hours later, when Watson was able to communicate, she asked a nurse if the news was good or bad. "It's good news," the nurse replied. "You had your lung transplant four days ago."
Many cystic fibrosis patients are living longer today, thanks, in part, to transplants-though they are not easy to obtain. In this candid memoir, Watson describes living under the shadow of this incurable disease; her special bond with her sister, Amy, who also grew up with CF; and her life-altering surgery in Toronto in 2014. ; the r. Nor was the road to full recovery. In this book, Watson, who cycled across Canada with her brother in 2008 to raise awareness of CF, describes her journey.
"Watson tells her resilient story of living with cystic fibrosis (CF), her progressive lung damage, the stress of waiting for an organ donor, her lifesaving transplant and life in the almost five years since her major surgery." -The Guardian (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
