Before My Heart Stops: A Memoir

by Paul Cardall

"I was born with half a heart. God made up the difference."

After living for more than three decades with congenital heart disease, popular musician Paul Cardall has undergone twenty-eight operations and seven open-heart surgeries. But the one surgery he needed most - his last chance at seeing his three-year-old daughter, Eden, grow up - was a heart transplant. This is the remarkable true story of one man's struggle to survive long enough to get a second chance at life.

Along the way, Paul wrote down his thoughts, feelings, and observations in an online blog called Living for Eden. This book reflects those weekly blog entries - insights and wisdom beyond his years. After reading his story, yu may come away asking yourself, "Who do I need to love ... before my heart stops?"

Genres: Nonfiction, Lds, Memoir, Book Club, Religion, Biography, Music

290 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Kim Dennis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a hard review to write. The book wasn’t quite what I was expecting. As a “memoir” I was expecting a little more narration and a little less of blog posts. I enjoyed the narration parts, but found the rest more of a so-so experience. I was also expecting something more like “Facing the Son” by Kristin Belcher...something outlining specific lessons learned.

My biggest problem with the book, though, was reading a review just as I was getting started where she mentioned that he had gotten a divorce. While I don’t know what the circumstances were surrounding the divorce, it did make it difficult to read how much he loved his wife and appreciated their eternal marriage. (Especially since he and his new wife talk about how to make inter-faith marriages work.) It’s something like trying to watch Cinderella if she and the prince didn’t actually end up living happily ever after.

There were some nice quotes in it by Church authorities and others, but not really worth reading the book. I won’t be keeping this one.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir was recommended to me by a friend because I told her that I liked his music and knew his uncle. I was surprised to read about his congenital heart disease, as his uncle never mentioned it in all our conversations.

That being said, I'm not really a fan of memoirs. I didn't have a problem with his blog entries comprising parts of the story. The news items were kind of redundant, repeating things that we already knew. I loved his strong faith and gratitude...lessons for us all.

The third quarter of the book really bogged down, though, with the interminable waiting for the heart transplant that the first half of the book was a build-up to. It just seemed to go on, like the guy at church who gets up to bear his testimony and talks for 20 minutes instead of the usual 3 or 4. I skipped over several tracks to finally get to the point. Then, when the heart is finally available, it was just suddenly done and over with.

So while I liked the overall message, the execution left something to be desired.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift last year. It was a great reminder of the gift of life and the journey and purpose we all have. One of the quotes I liked from the author. . ."What do people need? They need kindness. They need to know they are not alone. They need to know there are those who love them. They need to know in their hearts that our Heavenly Father, the Supreme Being, knows their names and that they can talk to Him in prayer by themselves in a quiet place. They need to know as I do, that He will listen." The book is also full of personal experiences and other uplifting quotes from church leaders and famous people.

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quite a touching story and really made you think about life and how fragile it is and how lucky I am to have my health. I would recommend this to anyone! It was written by Paul Cardall as he battled congenital heart failure and waited for a heart transplant.

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of a wonderful musician who had to face difficult challenges every day for the first 36 years of his life. He has an amazing wife that really stood the test of difficulties. His strong faith in God and knowing of his eternal plan inspires all of us.

[Jim Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born with half a heart, this is the true story of one man's struggle to survive long enough to get a second chance at life with a heart transplant; also a popular musician.

Author writes:
I was born with half a heart. God made up the difference. After living for more than three decades with congenital heart disease, popular musician Paul Cardall has undergone twentyeight operations and seven open-heart surgeries. But the one surgery he needed most his last chance at seeing his three-yearold daughter, Eden, grow up was a heart transplant. This is the remarkable true story of one man s struggle to survive long enough to get a second chance at life. Paul was a poor candidate for a heart transplant, says Angela Yetman, M.D. It would be technically difficult and possibly fatal . . . but Paul was determined to beat the odds. And beat them he did. Paul hopes this miraculous journey will illustrate two things: (1) Truly, there is a God who is clearly in charge of our lives, and (2) each of us has been put on this earth for a reason. Our job is to find it and live it. Paul says, My soul has been stretched in this journey. I m a witness that these soul-stretching experiences can offer us, if we want them, joy, wisdom, happiness, and a personal relationship with God. Along the way, Paul wrote down his thoughts, feelings, and observations in an online blog called Living for Eden. This book reflects those weekly blog entries insights and wisdom beyond his years. After reading his story, you may come away asking yourself, Who do I need to love . . . before my heart stops?

see this and more than a hundred other organ donation/transplant related books - many with my personal reviews - at http://www.trioweb.org/resources/book...

[Jary Welker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading this book for the second time and it is as inspiring now as it was years ago when I read it the first time. The life of Paul Cardall as this book details is nothing less than a witness that God lives and he is in charge of our lives. As a pianist and musician Paul is gifted (that understates it) and his music seems to have healing powers to it. There is no mood, whether melancholy or foul, that listening to his magical touch on the keys of a piano cannot be soothed. As I read it the first time I was taken by the title, 'Before My Heart Stops' which made me think, what is waiting for me to to do before mine stops? Reading this second time I am again struck by the thought that we each have things to do with the time allotted to us here on the earth and that we must not delay in their doing. No matter their size, let us discover what awaits our effort and then dive in, even if we are simply called to be kind and to do good for another. That, in fact, may be the greatest thing that we can ever do in this crazy world of ours.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book and was inspired by this man, his incredible wife and family, and this amazing journey that they all shared together. However, after I finished reading, I couldn't wait to jump on my computer and see how he and his family were doing years later. To my surprise, and complete sadness, Paul and Lynette were divorced. I do not know any details, but it ruined the book for me. It is confusing and disheartening to read page after page of a man expressing love for his wife who sacrificed and endured so much, only to find out that he divorced her after he became healthy. I was emotional after finishing this read, but finding out what became of their family had me in tears.

[Rene' Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is mostly a compilation of blog posts, some of which got kind of repetitive. But real life is sometimes like that. Real people don't think new inspiring thoughts every moment of the day or have new intriguing feelings with each experience. Overall I was drawn into Cardall's ups and downs, and there were certainly times my heart broke reading about some of the things his family and aquiantances went through.

[Madi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. Although it was about a very hard journey, Paul Cardall related it to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraged others to find peace in their own difficult journeys. What an inspiring book! If you are in a crisis of faith or needing some motivation to make it through the upcoming hard times, I would definitely recommend this book to you. Thank you Paul Cardall for sharing your story. This will bring a whole new meaning to his music.

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really inspiring. I makes you feel really uplifted and give you strength to press forward in your trials. He goes through so much and he makes you feel like you can get through your trials if you have faith. Overall amazing book. I would recommend for anyone who needs a little inspiration or feels lost.

[Deseret Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I read it in 2 days...couldn't put it down. What an amazing man. Everyone can learn something from this book. It made me really take a look at what I am doing each day....does it really matter in the eternal view on life?...is it bringing me closer to my savior?" --Customer Review

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Paul's blog in book form. This blog was written as he was waiting for a new heart. Little on biographical info and long on inspirational thoughts as he waits for the heart/

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved! Perfect reading for right now to remind me to stay focused on what I do have, on the things I can control, and to have hope & faith for everything else!

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, but not as much as my daughter. I'm not sure what I was hoping for, but I think I'm at a point in my life where I wasn't ready for this book or his insights. Not that I don't appreciate them, because I do. Perhaps, I didn't care for the layout, I think I would have a more timeline approach, starting with his birth and perhaps more insights from his parents and what they went through raising this child with half a heart. Sometimes I felt disconnected as it jumped from his blog, which I enjoyed reading, to other comments, time memories. Probably that is what it is. Since I read blogs, and blog a bit, I enjoy the day to day insights and when it gets interrupted I get confused and have to reorient my brain. Maybe the nurse in me wants to understand more, but when I look and the diagrams, I don't understand the procedures done to keep him alive. Part of the miracle of modern medicine, and generally I can figure it out. I studied the diagrams and I still couldn't figure out how they shunted blood around so he could live.

Overall if you want to read an inspiring book about life and living, death and consequence this will give it to you. I loved a concept in the book about sometimes in medicine everything can seem to go right and the patient still dies, and sometimes you have no idea how someone would ever survive and they do. It lets you know that God's hands are involved in the grand scheme of things. We are only there to try to help the miracles that need to happen, have a chance, the rest is in his hands. I have seen it, been there, witnessed the miracle of birth, and the miracle of death. I finished reading another book that talked about 5 kinds of healing. I think this book shares them all,
1. The healing done naturally by the body, our own immune systems
2. The healing of modern medicine
3. The healing of miracles that can not be explained by the two above
4. The healing of the soul and heart given by the grace of God and his love for us and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
5. The healing of death.

We don't often think of death as healing, but when one suffers, or is suffering death is healing, even when those of us left behind can't see it, understand it or explain it.

[Hollie Robb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me along time to read, only because I am experiencing my own drama. I still loved this book. You can see his growth within these pages. It is a emotional book.

A friend of mine said after she read the book she looked at the world around her differently.

Not only he talked about what it is like living with a half a heart, but also the death of his brother. I can relate to his phrase called:

"The Waiting Psychosis"
a- state of peril in social standstill
b- lack of progression. Nothing moving forward until a concluding event.

Cardall, himself gives lots of advice on how to get through some dark times. He admits to falling into depression. We all do that in sometime in our lives. Cardall tells some amazing ways to combat depression, even when you are limited in what you can do. One thing I have learned from Cardall, is that you always need to focus on the positive side of everything. One very positive side is you are always in Gods hands, nobody can take that from you. The other positive side is, God is always in control, it is always in His time frame. Even When things feel out of control, and we want it now.

I hate the waiting game. I have decided that if the waiting game was a Olympic event my family and I would have a great chance of getting GOLD. I have always been told to be patient. My conclusion is that, I must not be a very patient girl, but when you are experiencing something intense for 8 years and counting, you want it over now, you don't want to hear be patient.

This is a good book, but some advice, read it when you are not experiencing some intense drama. Cardall have helped me with seeing somewhat of a larger picture of Gods understanding for His love for us. Not the whole picture, unfortunately my eyesight is still limited.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I say anything else, I want to suggest that no one else name their children with a rhyming first and last name ("Paul" and "Cardall" rhyme), because it turns their name into an impossible tongue twister. I have said this author's name as "Par Cardall" at least ten times in the last week.

Other than that one minor complaint, I think I owe a dollar to Dahlene, who suggested this book. It reminded me of one of my other favorite books, Marathon of Faith, by Rex Lee. Rex Lee dies at the end of cancer. Paul Cardall (oh my gosh, even as I am saying that in my head while I type it out, I still say "Par Cardall",) suffered from congenital heart failure, and was the oldest living patient (36) to survive without a heart transplant in his condition. He got a transplant in the end and LIVED. There. I spoiled the ending for you all. (Just kidding, you know that just from reading the book jacket.)

I have been extra appreciative of my heart all week long, wanting to work out harder and run farther and just feel it beating inside of me. At the end of the book (post transplant), Paul talks about how amazing he feels. And if "this is just what it feels like to be normal, then all of you should feel like the most blessed and amazing people in the world!" I don't know why I put quotes around that. I made it up, not Paul. He said something like that, though. Consider it a quote of myself, pretending to be him. (And by the way, it's become a lot easier to not twist my tongue up since I started calling him just "Paul" in this paragraph. From now on I will just say "I read a good book once by a guy named Paul", and leave it at that.)

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Cardall has been one of my favorite musicians for many years. His music has always been able to provide me with peace and comfort. I couldn't resist the chance to read his biography and learn more about his life. I knew that he had some heart problems but until I read this book I didn't realize how many times his life has come close to ending.

This memoir is a compilation of blog entries that Paul Cardall wrote while waiting for a new heart from 2008 - 2009. Through his entries you learn of past surgeries he has had to endure, the trials he has had to face, and his incredible testimony of putting your trust and faith in a loving Heavenly Father and in the plan that he has for each one of us.

I was deeply touched by this book. At first I wasn't sure I would like rereading old blog entries but it made the whole experience more real because I got to experience the emotions as Paul and his family dealt with so much uncertainty. It has a different feel than someone writing a book after they have made it through and have a happy ending to tell. The Cardall family wasn't sure what kind of ending they would have.

The quotes and stories that are shared in this memoir can help anyone going through any kind of trial. I highly recommend this book. I listened to the first half as a book on tape and enjoyed it because Paul Cardall read it himself and it is interspersed with some of his music. I read the second half and enjoyed that even more because of all the pictures that help you see what life was really like.

[Chaundell Monn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even growing up in Utah, I have never heard of Paul Cardall; never listened to his music (I obviously wasn't listening to the right music!). I found this book while browsing Deseret Book's website and the title caught my attention. At the time, I had a friend who's little baby had a heart defect and was getting ready to have his first open heart surgery at 6 months. I bought this for her because I thought it might inspire her through this difficult time. When I got it, I started flipping through right before I gave it to her and was captured. I gave it to her and then asked if I could read it after she did. HIs story is so inspiring and made me look at my life and see how blessed I am. He also inspires me to look to my Savior more. He depended so much on friends, neighbors, and family, but in the end he knew that the Lord ultimately controls everything. This is a great book for those who may be experiencing something like this in their lives, but also for those who just want to be inspired and reminded of the love of our Heavenly Father. Just a warning: make sure to have a FULL box of tissues by you at all times while reading this book. There will be tears of sadness, joy, and just pure tears of gratitude!

[Rich · Rating 2 out of 5]

My problems with this book are that, for me, blogs don't really translate to long form very well. They are meant to be read in short form sitting a computer, but for the long form of a book, it didn't hold my attention that much. Also, he just seems so mellow. I'm glad his faith in God and what God has in store for him is so strong and rock solid, but it seemed too much. On the days when he was frustrated and tense, I never got a real feeling of frustration. It was more like, "oh I'm frustrated today, but I know it will pass, and God's taking care of me." I wanted more emotional voyages, I guess. I'm very close to many of the players in this book. His maternal grandfather, is a former church (lay) leader of mine, a man I've met on many ocassions and have a great admirationg for. The sister-in-law who was always taking Eden (his daughter), is a woman I've dated, and know very well. I've met Eden on many ocassions as well, and had her give me that measured look of a toddler who already knows her own mind. In fact in the end, I enjoyed more seeing how many people I know that are in his life rather than the story.

[Tyler E Toone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was taken back a little at first impression while listening to the audiobook because the author himself was reading it and his voice is quite raspy. However once he explained that his voice was like that from so many surgeries and tubes being stuck down his throat. I enjoyed the flow of the story and how there was a variety of sources that took part in narrating pieces of Paul's life. It was good to hear his wife's perspective as well as local news stories that covered the story. Throughout the story there were several times that tears filled my eyes especially as the author spoke of how much he'd miss his daughter and wife.

One of the most impressive things about listening to Paul's story is that his story not only rang true through the words of the book but also through the music he has produced. Every time I listen to Gracie's Theme I feel a sense of emotion well up inside me.

All-in-all this is a great read/listen, and it is a miracle that we live in a day and age when medical technology can work wonders along with the hand of God working miracles in peoples' lives.

[Jenjojo15 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true story about the musician Paul Cardall. This book was so inspiring as he tells his story about having many open heart surgeries and his experiences as he is waiting for a heart transplant. He tells about how he is trying to stay alive for his wife and daughter eden. He shares his experiences about how music helps him and how his religion does also. He tells how death can be a good thing sometimes and how we should not be afraid of it. I think people who are struggling with a trial right now would really enjoy this book. He tells how hard times are for our good, and we need to be strong and think of all the great things in our life. It is truly inspiring the story he tells. He asks us in the book what should we do before our heart stops? That really makes us think about the things who are really important in our life and what we should be focusing on.

[Andrea Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this Memoir inspiring and uplifting. I remember vaguely hearing about an LDS Musician who needed a heart transplant. I love music and was interested to read this story. Paul Cardall suffered from congenital heart disease and needed a heart transplant to survive. This book is made up of blog posts that he wrote while waiting over a year on the transplant list. I acutally liked that it was written in blog form. Yes, there was some repetition, but it took me along in the journey. With each post, he didn't know what the outcome would be. You can see his growth and I found his trust and faith in God inspiring. It helped me focus on what is truly important and I don't think it was coincidence that I read it while in the hospital with my daughter and going through adversity of my own. There were several quotes and thoughts that spoke to me. It helped strenghten my faith which has been tried lately. I'm thankful that he shared his experience and testimony through this book.

[Elaine]

Description:
"I was born with half a heart. God made up the difference."

After living for more than three decades with congenital heart disease, popular musician Paul Cardall has undergone twenty-eight operations and seven open-heart surgeries. But the one surgery he needed most - his last chance at seeing his three-year-old daughter, Eden, grow up - was a heart transplant. This is the remarkable true story of one man's struggle to survive long enough to get a second chance at life.

Along the way, Paul wrote down his thoughts, feelings, and observations in an online blog called Living for Eden. This book reflects those weekly blog entries - insights and wisdom beyond his years. After reading his story, yu may come away asking yourself, "Who do I need to love ... before my heart stops?"

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half a box of tissues later, and I love Paul Cardall even more than I did before I read this book. His story is nothing short of miraculous and his book is full of inspiration that makes me want to live a more meaningful life. I've followed his blog since 2008, when he was first listed to receive a heart transplant, and it was fun to re-read many of those entries in this book, along with additional commentary on what he and his family were experiencing as they waited for a new heart and a second chance at life to come to him. Over the years, Paul's music has brought me comfort in times of grief, and his words bring healing as well. This book is an excellent read for someone struggling with the loss of a loved one as well as those who might need a reminder of the miracles, large and small, that surround us each day.

[Dahlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring story! I've been a fan of Paul Cardall's music since the mid-90's. Until recently I had no idea he had congenital heart disease. This book is a memoir of his journey through life including his recent heart transplant. His father, Duane Cardall, is the journalist who does the editorials on KSL, and his brother is the one who was tasered and died on the side of the highway in southern Utah a couple years ago. He writes about both of them and all his feelings in this book. His book started out as a personal blog. Now that he is healthy he is doing everything he can to serve everyone, especially those families who are dealing with congenital heart disease. He opened my eyes to the suffering of so many families. This book inspired me to be more thankful for my health and to appreciate my relationships with others more. Everyone should read this book.

[Kristi Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

* I actually received this book as a gift a few years ago but knew I wouldn't be able to read it at the time I received it. My son was born with heart defect and was preparing for open heart surgery at the same time Paul Cardall was listed for a heart transplant. We read his blog as he was going through his journey and knew several of the kids who were going through the same thing. I'm glad I read it - I enjoyed it very much although it was hard going back to that time and remembering all those sweet kids that we prayed for - some who made it and some who didn't. I gave it 4 stars only because sometimes the blog entries didn't make the book cohesive - however the powerful message of the book is definitely 5 stars.

[Bobbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had several books on hold at the library, and of course they all came at the same time, I choose to quickly read this one because I know with all of the additional holds I would never get a chance to renew it. A book that would be enjoyed much more if I could read and ponder it a little longer, still very comforting. Amazing what his family went through, It truly adds to your testimony that everything is in Gods hands as you read his account.

It is mostly a reprint of his blog entries, but then he elaborates on some of them with hindsight that always seems to make things more clear.

[Gregandemy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really nice, inspiring story about a man's life-long struggle of only having half a heart. His attitude and optimism are amazing as are the constant support of his wife and family. The book is a compilation of his blog and newspaper articles while waiting for a heart transplant. Due to the blog format, there was some repetition throughout the book. He also uses A LOT of quotes on his blog. They are great quotes and I can see why he was drawn to them and wanted to share them, but the repetition and loads of quotes didn't quite keep the story flowing for me. Just my opinion..
Great story though and really motivating to make you enjoy every day and every little blessing you have.

[Jan Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Paul Cardell is open, honest, frank and I was totally absorbed. It is a fascinating journey about his life. It is emotional and
unsettling at times. It is uplifting and powerful. It is a book to be enjoyed, treasured and quoted! Best of all, it is a true, real life story. It is not fiction.
the love and trials are very real and the amazing grace and character of this man and his family is just inspiring. I give it 5 stars for the content and the
thought provoking questions it raises. It is well written because he had a lot of time to ponder and write. Now, to dry my eyes and get busy with my own life!