Book Review

By Anna Bennett

Yesterday Today and Tomorrow
Personal accounts of people living with kidney failure
Collated by Melissa Darnley
94 pages. Published 2008. Kidney Health Australia.

I was in Seattle earlier this week, and Bill gave me a copy of Yesterday Today and Tomorrow.  Bill and Mel have both blogged about this book (here and here), and it is pretty exciting to hold it in your hands, flip through the pages, and look at the words and pictures that represent so much. After all, a lot of work went into its creation.  It is a testament to survival and gives hope and comfort to the reader.  In reading each entry, you are reminded that you are not alone. There is something that rings familiar with every page you turn.  It is easy to research the medical aspect of CKD, but this book shows real life impact: day to day struggles, doubts, victories and dreams.

This book is a resource that brings together personal stories in one concise edition. With subjects ranging from First Diagnosis, Treatment (Hemo, Home Hemo, PD, Transplant), Relationships, Personal Issues, Carer's and Donor's Perspective, Travel, Work, Leisure  and Hopes for the Future– all in the words of 33 contributors (Mel and Bill included) who are living with kidney failure. They are identified by name, age, profession (working, and retired), treatment and diagnosis.  There is a glossary for those who are just learning the language of kidney disease.  Although this book is published in Australia, it's message is universal, and the contributors are multi national.

The book’s pictures give us a snapshot of the lives of the contributors. One of my favorites is a picture from a few years ago, a goatee’d Bill, dialyzing at home, stretched out in his recliner, with Cairny right there perched between his legs, (and Australian Shepherds are not small dogs) lapdog/companion and guardian. A picture really is worth 10,000 words.

Yesterday Today and Tomorrow illustrates the diversity of kidney disease, yet its words bring comfort for anyone struggling with CKD or for those who love them.

You can order your copy through Kidney Health Australia. The exchange rate is close to parity; $12AUD is about 70 cents less in US dollars. Postage for my copy was $6.60AUD so figure $20USD will get you your very own copy (and support a good cause).

Comments

[Melissa Darnley]

Thanks so much for the wonderful review, Anna! I was so proud to read it because you captured exactly what my intention was( and that of Kidney Health Australia) of wanting peoples real life stories published.
Cheers

[John Daley]

Gday Anna

The Universal Currency Converter provides an accurate and simple conversion from US $ to AU $. Your readers can find it at:

http://www.xe.com/ucc/

Cheers

John