Since John Got Sick: A Quest for Survival and Faith

by Allison Greene, John Greene

Overview

John was always healthy. Then at age twenty-six a rare autoimmune disease struck out of nowhere. "Idiopathic," doctors said of the phenomenon that tried to take his life violently several times and to destroy his spirit more quietly over the next several years. Since John Got Sick: A Quest for Survival and Faith is the story of a young man's heroic battle to survive both the initial onslaught and the ongoing assault of a traumatic autoimmune disease and its ensuing consequences (including dialysis, disability, transplant, depression, opioid dependence, and post-traumatic stress disorder). Simultaneously, it is the story of a mother's love and strength against daunting odds, including donating a kidney. Traumatic illness often ends in a relatively quick death or a sudden miraculous recovery. John's was neither. His is a story, with parts written in his words, of courage, endurance, and patience, along with a stubborn refusal to quit. While his mother sought God and prayer, John's will to live was based in something else--perhaps even more intrinsic. For anyone who has suffered a serious illness, whether personally or with a child; anyone facing the challenges of autoimmune disease; and any medical professionals who have worked to help them, this book provides insight from the patient's perspective. Patient advocates, clergy, and community members may benefit from vicariously experiencing the multifaceted challenges--mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and financial--shown here. And likely any mother, or parent, will identify, feel the heartache, and wonder, Why not me?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781532651687
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	05/04/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	138
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Allison Greene has worked in health care for more than twenty-five years and is the author of two previous books: Your Aging Parents and Divorce: A Spiritual Journey. A graduate of Furman University (BA), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MA), and the University of South Carolina (MA), she lives in Greenville, South Carolina.

John Greene, also of Greenville, is a graduate of the University of South Carolina (BS) and has worked in manufacturing and real estate. He loves all sports and his dog, Pippen.

Allison Greene is an author, speaker, and healthcare marketing consultant with thirty years of experience in the healthcare field. Her writing comes from personal experience, which she shares openly. Her previous books are Your Aging Parents; Divorce, A Spiritual Journey; and Since John Got Sick, which she co-authored with her son, John Greene.

Allison earned degrees from Furman University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the University of South Carolina; however, she considers her greatest accomplishment to be the mother of Megan and John.

Her latest book, No Longer Sick, chronicles the last decade of her son's life.

Allison lives in her hometown, Greenville, SC. She enjoys Charleston, the beach, and her granddaughters.

Photo (attached) by Megan Greene Roberts

Table of Contents

1 Prologue 1

2 Wegener's 4

3 Complications 48

4 Transplant 63

5 Darkness 92

6 Healing 117

7 Stasis 123

Questions for Discussion 129

Helpful Resources 130

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Allison Greene writes a beautiful, honest, and heartfelt book about her son’s illness, treatment, and recovery. Their special relationship shines through with the addition of John’s words. Patients, family members, health care providers, and spiritual supporters are guaranteed to experience a range of powerful emotions as they read this book. Having cared for hundreds of patients with vasculitis, I particularly admired and appreciated the support John’s family and friends provided while he was at Duke.”

—Nancy Bates Allen, MD, Duke University Medical Center



“Allison Greene's career in patient advocacy very possibly kept her son John alive. In this turbulent story of a son's fight for survival and his mother's fierce battle alongside him, the reader will be transported into a world of unrelenting medical crises, and its emotional aftermath. This is an important book.”

—Deb Richardson-Moore, author of Death of a Jester



“These pages sing a beautiful duet of a family gaining strength and healing amidst seemingly incurable disease and hopelessness. It is an unflinching story of healing and redemption. A reminder that love conquers all.”

—Scott Walker, Director of The Institute of Life Purpose, Mercer University

Editorial Reviews

Allison Greene writes a beautiful, honest, and heartfelt book about her son’s illness, treatment, and recovery. Their special relationship shines through with the addition of John’s words. Patients, family members, health care providers, and spiritual supporters are guaranteed to experience a range of powerful emotions as they read this book. Having cared for hundreds of patients with vasculitis, I particularly admired and appreciated the support John’s family and friends provided while he was at Duke.”

—Nancy Bates Allen, MD, Duke University Medical Center



“Allison Greene's career in patient advocacy very possibly kept her son John alive. In this turbulent story of a son's fight for survival and his mother's fierce battle alongside him, the reader will be transported into a world of unrelenting medical crises, and its emotional aftermath. This is an important book.”

—Deb Richardson-Moore, author of Death of a Jester



“These pages sing a beautiful duet of a family gaining strength and healing amidst seemingly incurable disease and hopelessness. It is an unflinching story of healing and redemption. A reminder that love conquers all.”

—Scott Walker, Director of The Institute of Life Purpose, Mercer University

From the Publisher