A Life in Parts

by Vicki Bennington, Daniel Brannan

On an ordinary winter day, Loretta Goebel was wrapping Christmas gifts in her basement when the doorbell rang. She rushed to answer the door, and in her haste, she hit her hand on the banister as she ran up the stairs. This seemingly innocuous injury eventually resulted in the amputation of both her legs, her left hand, and most of the fingers on her right hand. Through all her pain and loss, Loretta never gave up her quest to live a full life, and her story of triumph can inspire anyone struggling to adjust to difficult circumstances.

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2012

Reviews

[Mrs C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book in one day. It was a much needed book since I was feeling a little glum lately. Loretta's story is quite detailed. She focuses a lot of the book in the days before her limbs are amputated. I keep expecting to know about the devastating operation every time I turn the page, but I'm glad the author took the time to explain the "before" because it set the story. The reader doesn't feel sorry for Loretta. She is able to show her courage that gets layered on over time. I didn't feel like she just magically became upbeat overnight. I appreciated that. I read the other review here and I don't understand why there was anything negative in Loretta's not categorizing herself as a PWD. The third person story actually was a relief because doing the 1st person narrative would have been too much. There are already too many stories like that. A third person that still manages to touch a reader is a refreshing feat. This book's reach is not only for those struggling with disabilities, but with anyone who has ever felt like life is not worth living. It has a good story and the message is uplifting without the usual tactics to squeeze out the tears out from the reader.

[Lisa B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

My Thoughts:

Inspiring!

Two thoughts came to mind as I was reading this book:

A quote I just recently saw on Facebook "What looked like a setBACK could've actually been a setUP for God to do something greater in your life!!". For all the negatives and difficulties the author faced, she ultimately chose a path of being positive and working hard to make her life the best possible under her circumstances.

The book also reminded me about how life can turn on a dime. The story is a good example that we should live each day to the fullest and to be thankful for what we have, because we never know when everything could change.

Thank you to Stonebrook Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: October 8. 2012.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My book club read this book, as a few of them had known Loretta when her surgery first happened, although she and her family had moved away by the time we read the book. This book certainly was an example of how your life can change in an instant. Loretta was grace under pressure, and made sure she made the best of her life, despite the devastating amputations and aftermath.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Name: A Life in Parts
Author: Vicki Bennington & Daniel Brannan
ISBN: 9780983080022
Genre: Biography/Memoir
Publisher: Stonebrook Publishing
Publication/Expected Publication: October 8, 2012

This book is the moving and inspirational story of Loretta Goebel, an extraordinary multiple amputee. The book is told in the third person, which I think may distance some readers from the personal experiences of Loretta; however, this method does allow for other points of view to be heard and shown (such as friends and family members).

The story begins by portraying the “normalcy” of Loretta’s life as a stay-at-home and the amount of detail she put into the efforts of her everyday life. She banged her hand against a banister shortly before Christmas 2001 while answering the door for a delivery person. What follows next is a tale that can only be described as simultaneously traumatic and uplifting.

The incident with her hand led to emergency room visits and hospitalizations leading to a diagnosis of lymphangitis (or blood poisoning) and then toxic shock. The medicine administered focused her blood flow on sustaining vital organs, leading the tissue in her extremities to slowly die due to lack of circulation. Although parts of her hands and feet were able to heal, doctors eventually had to amputate both her legs (below the knee), her left hand, and three fingers on her right hand.

This book recounts Loretta’s recovery: her struggle with asking for assistance, her aversion to “ugly” prosthetics, and her desire to remain positive at all costs. She deals with her losses by focusing on “faith, family, and God.” People who are Christian may find this book particularly inspiring; people of other faiths (or no faith) may find the focus on Christianity slightly overbearing.

Although I enjoyed the book overall, I was disappointed in the authors’ (and Loretta’s) insistence that Loretta not be perceived as disabled or be defined by her disability. I can understand Loretta’s need to not be known as “that lady with the amputated legs/hand/fingers,” but it seemed there was an element that was sorely lacking. The authors never clarify if Loretta seriously considered the prospect of being a person with a disability (PWD). Loretta’s main focus seemed to be inovercomingthe disability (albeit with mobility aids), something that may be off-putting to PWD who simply cannot or will not do the same.

Even taking into account these slight issues I had with the story, I would still recommend it because Loretta’s story is simply amazing!

[Christine Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cautionary tale. Really fast read -- I read it in one day's round-trip commute -- not just because it is fairly short, but because it's a gripping read of the medical-crisis-and-recovery personal story genre.

Distracted by Christmas preparations, Loretta Goebel is taken to the hospital after waiting (too long) to see about some mysterious symptoms. She returns in agony to the hospital that same night and doesn't leave for months. The hospital section of A Life in Parts is the more compelling read than the last half, the rehabilitation and reentry into life part. Even though we readers know from the outset what will happen (those of us who read forewords, anyway) it's hard to put down. Nothing special as literature, but then these books rarely are; it's all about the story. It's straightforward: this happened, then this happened. I felt this, they felt that. But very well expressed, and there was a lot to feel. Even the triumphs and improvements are heartbreaking and terribly painful.

This could happen to any of us. The day after reading it, I was much more careful about touching things, washing my hands, watching where I walked. A true lesson in, you never know what's in store for you and how you will deal with it.

Along with her drive and will, Loretta seems well positioned as an expert for the generations of US veterans who have and will come home missing limbs. Then there's the increasing crisis of bacterial infections like MRSA -- all in all, there should be a large audience to identify with this book. Not everyone is as optimistic, in as good shape and health, and with as strong a support system as Loretta.

[Author Groupie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waiting in the dentist's office for my name to be called, I decided to flip through Dr. Oller's reading materials. Usually I reach for a magazine since the wait time is next-to-nothing if any at all, but this time a work of fiction titled A Life in Parts written by Vicki Bennington and Daniel Brannan caught my eye. Flipping to the back cover, a picture of a striking woman intrigued me especially after I read her legs and portions of her hands had been amputated. My vision, corrected with contacts, still made me question what I was seeing so I pulled the book closer to my face. What I saw was a beautiful, joyous woman with no trace of any suffering, scarring, or self-pity. Soon my name was called, so I begged Monica, my dental hygienist and fellow author groupie, if I might be able to borrow this book.
A quick-read, the fact that this work of non-fiction revolved around the life of a local Midwesterner made it even more engaging. Abruptly faced with toxic shock syndrome after a freak occurrence in her home, Loretta Goebel faces life as an amputee. A wife, mother of two, devoted friend, and volunteer, A Life in Parts relives Goebel's journey to a new normalcy with fierce determination and continued faith despite the obstacles and eventual losses which accrue along the way.
For a book club's convenience, study questions have been included in the back of A Life in Parts for discussion. Since the ideal of familial traditions and gatherings proves motivating for Goebel throughout her healing, a meal filled with comfort food- chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn- which greeted her at her arrival home from the hospital would be appropriate for the menu.

[Teno Q. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two qualities that make up great literature are the exploration of interesting themes and the ability to make you contemplate questions about these themes and about life in general. In A Life In Parts, this is tempered by the authors' bias towards Loretta Goebel, a woman and amputee who inspires other amputees around the world. They're dead set on convincing readers of how Loretta is this angel whose very existence sends people into a daze of joy and utter admiration. Without this slant, this book would be equal parts fascinating medical story and a delegate for perseverance and hope in hard times. But for me the appeal was mostly in the medical facts presented. This biographical account of a great person lacks the humility that great people should have. I don't need to hear someone gushing about how great this woman is. I very much dislike someone trying to force their beliefs on me, and I can come to a decision about Loretta myself, thank you very much.

My copy of this book is an ARC from Netgalley.com and the publisher, so thank you to them. Ignoring bias, it is a great pathological study, and quite inspirational as well.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bump on the hand was all that it took for Loretta Goebel to fall apart. Literally. In the fierce fight to save her life from the infection that was attacking her body, blood flow was concentrated on her vital organs. Once the infection was controlled, Loretta found she had another battle to fight. Her hands and feet, deprived of adequate blood flow, were dying. Eventually, she would lose both lower legs, her hand, and part of her other hand. With an incredible amount of positivity and determination, Loretta pulled herself back together and began reaching out to others. This was a fairly short book that was very easy to read, despite the grim subject matter. At times, the relentless cheeriness and optimism with which the author portrayed Loretta seemed a bit unbelievable, especially given the challenges that she faced. But, I have never met Loretta, so that characterization may not be inaccurate. I very much enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for inspiration and positivity.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley for my honest opinion.

[Michelle S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing story! Scary how a meaningless bump of the hand changed Loretta's life forever. While the story is heartbreaking, Loretta's spirit and grit remind us that hope and faith are our ultimate "super powers"!

[Mary Chrapliwy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should probably stay away from medical narratives written without the co-authorship of a medical professional. There were so many glaring inaccuracies, from the science perspective, that I knew I was not the right person to read and review this book within the first 50 pages.

[Nancy Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best inspirational book of the year!

[Amy Deason · Rating 5 out of 5]

honest and inspirational