Product Description
The tragedy of cystic fibrosis has been touchingly recounted before, but this is the first book to portray the symbiotic relationship between twins who share this life-threatening disease through adulthood. Isabel Stenzel Byrnes and Anabel Stenzel tell of their struggle to pursue normal lives while grappling with the realization that they might die young. Their story reflects the physical and emotional challenges of a particularly aggressive form of CF and tells how the twins bicultural heritage Japanese and German influenced the way they coped. The Power of Two is an honest and gripping portrayal of day-to-day health care, the impact of chronic illness on marriage and family, and the importance of a support network to continuing survival. These two remarkable sisters have much to teach about the power of perseverance and about the ultimate power of hope.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 18 reviews)

A Powerful Duet by E. Kinney Jr. (Cupertino, CA)

5 Stars
October 18, 2008
The Power of Two is an amazing "Duet" written by twin sisters with a powerful will to live inspite of the challenges of living with a deadly genetic disease. Each takes turns "singing" the melodies of her own unique yet shared experiences. This is no sugar-coated fairy tale. It is a novel about survival even though the medical odds are stacked against you. The physical, social, psychological struggles, failures and triumphs are explicitly detailed. You will weep, you will cringe, you will exalt as they progress from climbing a few stairs with difficulty to climbing Yosemite's Half Dome!

You'll Never Take the Gift of Life for Granted Again by Susan M. Heim

5 Stars
June 13, 2008
In "The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis," we meet identical twins, Isabel and Anabel Stenzel, who were born with a deadly disease: cystic fibrosis (CF). As adults, the sisters underwent the only "cure" for CF -- lung transplantation -- and are now living their lives at full-speed after childhoods dominated by chest percussions and drug therapy, numerous and lengthy hospitalizations, constant medical scrutiny, and watching their friends with CF die at young ages. "The Power of Two" is a beautifully written book that will amaze you with its brutal honesty, move you to tears, and inspire you to count your blessings. The remarkable Stenzel twins have an extraordinary lesson to teach us all: never give up, live life to the fullest, and don't take the incredible gift of breath for granted. Their story will linger in your heart long after you've closed this book.

The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis by Kellie H. Etz (Durango, CO)

5 Stars
May 27, 2008
What a powerful book! The twins take you through a very tough physical journey of their lives. I could not put this book down, and I would be shocked if it did not touch your heart. This book is truly inspiring!

Amazing depiction of their interesting lives by E. Hyman (San Francisco, CA United States)

5 Stars
April 08, 2008
I agree with what Tiffany wrote before me. I'm also an adult with CF, just hit 30. I had considered writing my own little CF memoir, but these girls did such an awesome job with their vivid depiction of their experiences, thoughts and emotions throughout their lives, they covered it all. Their journey brings you into the world of all stages of CF from everyday maintenance to near death experiences, how it's changed since the 70's, the treatments, the pain and the joy in meeting others in this special CF club. As others have said, this book covers so much more. With a German father and Japanese mother, they take you through life as biracial twins in America and Japan, their travels around the world, and the amazing support they found in family and eachother, then much much later boyfriends. Their story is brutally honest about their experiences, and they've had some tough ones. What I loved most was this honesty and ability to infuse some funny in their situations and not take themselves too seriously. It's refreshing. The narration of their mother was hilarious, even though she's their biggest supporter it seems. My only complaint is I'm jealous they went to CF camp and met Bob Flanagan, the camps were gone by the time I knew they existed. Brilliant girls, thank you!

A Tour De Force: Honest & Hopeful by California Kid

5 Stars
March 01, 2008
Wow. The twins' story about growing up with cystic fibrosis, their biracial family, and succeeding in going to college, finding love and ultimately receiving lung transplants is profoundly moving. Their honesty about their good (and not so good) experiences, particularly with their parents and brother, and later with boyfriends, is absolutely gripping. Their persistence and hope in the face of repeated challenges, conveyed in a well-written narrative, is awesome and makes this book a great read for anyone facing challenges or wanting inspiration.

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

	Sick Girl Speaks!: Lessons and Ponderings Along the Road to Acceptance by Tiffany Christensen (Author) Surprise! I’m still not dead! Okay, sure, I was born with an incurable genetic disease and, yes, I have faced terminal illness two times but … here I am! And I’m ready to speak! I’ve now been navigating the Western medical maze for over three decades. Along the way, I’ve had to learn some pretty painful lessons about how to advocate for myself and what happens if I don’t. I also know how scary and disorienting illness can be—I have a lot to say about finding peace and...
	With Every Breath: stories by and about people living with cystic fibrosis by Katherine Russell and Margot Russell (Author), Katherine Russell and Margot Russell (Editor) Over 30,000 people in the US have cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. Physically, fighting it is a very perilous struggle. Emotionally, coping can oftentimes be even harder. With Every Breath consists of stories by and about people living with cystic fibrosis. Created to motivate, inspire, and generate positivity for those living with cystic fibrosis, this book is something you can open time and time again. Designed for all ages,...
	The Stones Applaud: How Cystic Fibrosis Shaped My Childhood by Teresa Anne Mullin (Author) Teresa Mullin was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at four years of age, but it was not until she was nine that she learned most children with the disease were not expected to live to adulthood. What had been a nuisance soon became a force that molded her childhood, youth, and future. In The Stones Applaud, Mullin writes of absences from school, serving as a poster child, frequent hospitalizations, medical treatments, and most painful the isolation that came with cystic fibrosis, an inherited...
	Sixtyfive Roses: A Sister's Memoir by Heather Summerhayes Cariou (Author) A loving, funny and profoundly moving literary memoir. The redemptive story of two sisters growing up in the shadow of a fatal illness, and a family fighting for a child's life.
	Cystic Fibrosis: A Guide for Patient and Family by David M Orenstein (Editor) Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA. Text is designed specifically for patients with cystic fibrosis and their families. Explains the disease process, outlines the fundamentals of diagnosing and screening, and addresses the challenges of treatment for those living with CF. Includes new material on carrier testing, infection control, and more. Previous edition: c1997. Softcover.