The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph Over Cystic Fibrosis Volume 1

by Anabel Stenzel and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes

Book Overview

For most people, a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis means the certainty of a life ended too soon. But for twin girls with the disease, what began as a family's stubborn determination grew into a miracle.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826217540
• ISBN13: 9780826217547
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: University of Missouri Press
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Amazing depiction of their interesting lives

I agree with what Tiffany wrote before me. I'm also an adult with CF, just hit 30. I had considered writing my own little CF memoir, but these girls did such an awesome job with their vivid depiction of their experiences, thoughts and emotions throughout their lives, they covered it all. Their journey brings you into the world of all stages of CF from everyday maintenance to near death experiences, how it's changed since the 70's, the treatments, the pain and the joy in meeting others in this special CF club. As others have said, this book covers so much more. With a German father and Japanese mother, they take you through life as biracial twins in America and Japan, their travels around the world, and the amazing support they found in family and eachother, then much much later boyfriends. Their story is brutally honest about their experiences, and they've had some tough ones. What I loved most was this honesty and ability to infuse some funny in their situations and not take themselves too seriously. It's refreshing. The narration of their mother was hilarious, even though she's their biggest supporter it seems. My only complaint is I'm jealous they went to CF camp and met Bob Flanagan, the camps were gone by the time I knew they existed. Brilliant girls, thank you!

Thank you for giving me a way to share with my family.........

Having known and loved Ana and Isa for at least 15 years and being a mom of one of their close friends who is an adult with CF I am so grateful to them for writing this book. The raw honesty and intimacy of sharing their lives is unusual. We live with CF in so many hidden ways. It is behind closed doors where much of the struggles occur whether being the disease processes, treatments or personal grieving. Being able to share a true picture of what it is like to deal with CF or any life threatening chronic illness is difficult at best. You know when people ask, how is it? We usually say, "fine". But the story about CF is far more complicated than, "fine". Thank you Ana and Isa for telling your story that is so readable so that I can share it with my family. Perhaps this will give them a glimpse into our lives that is so hard to share in words other than, "fine". May it be read widely and a greater understanding into the lives of those that live with these challenges be better understood.

Couldn't put it down!

I really enjoyed this book and feel I learned lessons from both the twins. They offered a very intimate view of life with a life threatening chronic disease. As a health care worker, I sometimes don't fully appreciate how much people have to adapt their lives to deal with something 24 hours a day year after year, how much the whole family is involved, and family dynamics altered. Their honest reflections on trying to cope with our medical system also rang very true.

Proud to be a member of this club

As a person with cystic fibrosis, I have always shied away from CF memoirs. My attitude has been "I have CF, why do I need to read about your CF?" I can not tell you how thankful I am that I did not shy away from this extraordinary story of struggle, strength and love. Ana and Isa are twins of Asian descent who both have cystic fibrosis. Statistically, the chances of this genetic combination is 1 in 1.8 billion. The uniqueness of these two women does not stop with their genetics. Ana and Isa immerse the reader in the world of their mother's Japanese culture mixed with that of their German father. This alone makes the story fascinating. Add to it the bond between twins and the brother who sometimes stood on the outside looking in, and you have all the makings of a complex family drama. But the story is so much more than this reader could ever put into a few sentences. Throughout their childhood, across the seas in Japan and Germany, on into their time studying at Stanford and into adulthood, there is another character that is a constant: cystic fibrosis. I, too, have struggled with CF but after reading this book, I feel as though my "fight" pales in comparison. Never have I been witness to such an intense will to live and to thrive. There are many authors who might try to convince a reader to believe "life is precious" or to "seize the day." For these twins, no such statements were necessary. I was inspired to live harder and better only by their example. These strong individuals rarely felt self-pity and I never felt their tales to be histrionic. I so appreciated the clean, simple and honest way they allowed this breathtaking story to unfold. In addition to feeling humbled by these women, I also felt a little bit jealous. As the only child in my family with CF and as a person who had no friends with CF during the younger years, I could not help but to wish I had my own Ana or Isa by my side. The devotion these twins had for each other was astounding and, in all likelihood, life-saving. In times when there was no one else, they gave each other the strenuous therapy needed to clear their sickly lungs and provided the emotional support and understanding that could only come from someone who has "been there, done that." All in all, this is a book about "A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis" but it is also so much more. Many books about CF leave the reader feeling sad and overwhelmed. I am happy to say, this book left me rejuvenated and excited about life. I am a member of this club--the cystic fibrosis club. Ana and Isa's wisdom, strength and resilience make me eternally proud to be a member to which such amazing people belong. I can not wait to read this book again and again. This is a book for everyone, inside the club or not! Tiffany Christensen author, Sick Girl Speaks!

Overcoming adversity

Ana and Isabel give an honest, powerful account of living with this horrendous disease. Already difficult family dynamics become more strained and threaten to destroy the family unit as they are influenced by the challenges of cystic fibrosis. No matter what your circumstance, this novel will make you reflect on how best to spend the rest of the life each of us has been given. It is for anyone dealing with any adversity. I highly recommend it.