Keeping a Piece of Her: The Joys and Sorrows of My Second Life

"A true tale of courage, faith, love, and perseverance, written with style and grace, wit and wisdom." -Maria Juarez, retired NYC publishing executive "A poignant story of bodies and souls connected through a rare gift of familial love." -Sara Jenkins, author of This Side of Nirvana "A meaningful look into the life of a transplant patient." -William Durham, MD, nephrologist, Mountain Kidney and Hypertension, board certified in nephrology Keeping a Piece of Her is the story of a challenging medical diagnosis that led to an improbable life path. Devoted to health and fitness, Bob had completed his first marathon in November 1982. However, Bob soon found he wasn't as healthy as he thought. His kidneys had begun to fail irreversibly due to a genetic condition called Alport syndrome. He was told that, within five years, he would be in "end-stage renal failure." Keeping a Piece of Her tells the compelling story of both the physical and emotional challenges Bob faced during that period and his sister Rita's offer to donate one of her kidneys. In language both warm and witty, Bob relates the joys and challenges of his "second life," including a scary period in which his body had begun to reject Rita's life-giving gift. Fourteen years after giving Bob her kidney, Rita shared a secret that exposed years of deep, personal pain. Ultimately, Keeping a Piece of Her showcases trial, triumph, tragedy, and, above all, abiding love.