Toen Hannah Jones vier was, kreeg haar moeder het bericht dat geen moeder horen wil: bij haar dochter wordt leukemie vastgesteld, maar de medicijnen die Hannah krijgt om haar ziekte te bestrijden, beschadigen haar hart. In de acht jaar daarna hebben de artsen de indruk dat ze over haar hartprobleem heen kan groeien, maar op haar twaalfde laat haar hart het acuut afweten en krijgt ze te horen dat een harttransplantatie haar enige kans is. Hannah weigert: ze heeft genoeg van dokters en ziekenhuizen en wil bij haar ouders zijn. In juli 2009 begaf de rechterkant van haar hart het. Een paar dagen later vierde ze haar veertiende verjaardag een mijlpaal die ze nooit verwacht had te halen en nam ze de volgende moeilijke keuze: alsnog een transplantatie. In dit boek vertellen Hannah en Kirsty met humor en eerlijkheid hun unieke verhaal, en de afwisseling van hun stemmen maakt duidelijk hoeveel ze in hun confrontatie met en overwinning op de dood over het leven geleerd hebben.
Warning do not read this in public! Parts of this book had me in tears it is heartbreaking at times but it has left me full of admiration for a child’s spirit and a mother’s dedication and respect to that child.
I remember hearing about this girl on the news. When she was little she had leukemia and the chemotherapy she had damaged her heart function. Suffering from heart failure she made the decision that she'd had enough of always being in hospital and refused the chance to have a life saving heart transplant. She'd had the risks and benefits explained to her and maintained that she did not want to go through a heart transplant- that she wasn't prepared to take the anti rejection drugs for the rest of her life
This book was written by both Hannah and her mum- so you had the medical/technical information aswell as Hannah's thoughts about dealing with long term ill health whilst wanting to lead a normal childhood, wanting to be in her own bed instead of spending yet another birthday either in hospital or too poorly to get out of bed.
You could understand her reasoning- but also empathise with her parents who must have wanted to go for everything to help her. They respected that she was capable of making those decisions about her own life and no one else really had the right to tell her that she had to go through more operations and spend more time in hospital.
It gave you an insight into just how hard it is to deal with a very poorly child- the effect that it has on the entire family. It also told about some of the wonderful people who work to provide very special moments to brighten the life a little when they can.
There was a lot to think about whilst reading their journey.
Roller coaster of emotions depicting the story of Hannah who at a young age was diagnosed with Leukaemia and how chemotherapy caused her heart to fail. Having survived cancer she now has to face life with a failing heart and drugs to keep her alive, after many years of this and a proposed transplant Hannah decides to call it a day but later changes her mind . I can remember this on the news and while being sad I was amazed at that young girl's bravery at the time with the choice she made. as she says " So you see my decision to say no to the transplant wasn't about dying. It's about living". Well written story with chapters from both Hannah and her mum Kirsty. My heart broke along the way reading Kirsty's recall of events, that woman deserves every good thing that will come her way in life.
Tells the true story of Hannah Jones who hit the headlines in 2008 when she decided she didn't want a heart transplant; she wanted to go home and enjoy the rest of her days with her parents and siblings. She was only thirteen years old and there was a furore over the rights of children to make such important choices. However, Hannah knew all about pain and hospitals and impossible choices. She developed leukaemia at the age of four and had spent much of her life in hospital and having unpleasant treatments. This book tells what really happened through the words of mother and daughter and is a powerful testimony which challenges the reader to ask, what would I have done in this circumstance? Not for the faint hearted!
When i read this book, I was amazed by the journey Hannah went through. She was a very strong and brightful girl. She learned how to live her life at such a young age, and did things that people thought she couldn't even do. I could feel every single emotion reading this book. Chapter by chapter emotions are going all over your head. I'm happy that i got to find an inspiring book like this.
Come take a glimpse into the amazing journey of Hannah. Hannah was diagnosed with leukemia as a young child. The chemotherapy damaged her heart. This is her journey with heart failure and her decision no tot have a transplant. The courage the family showed to support her in her decision is amazing. Come meet Hannah and see her journey.
It was ok. In no doubt the family have been through unbelievable highs and lows but it is hard to get that across. It was interesting to see the story behind the headlines though. The constant change in narrator was off putting at times.
This was so well written. Hard to read in parts, but I liked the fact that you get views, thoughts and feelings from both mother and daughter. You understand why Kirsty let Hannah make choices for herself, and why Hannah decided what she did. Highly recommended.
A true story of love, determination and struggle that kept me riveted with it's rawness, strength and the lesson to appreciate the current moment in life.
It was so interesting yo have the viewpoint of Hannah herself regarding her health care. However I felt this book could have packed more of a punch. Overall a very informative read