Not Done Yet: A Tale of Transformation Through Transplant Surgery

It’s easy to get hooked on Sharon Lamhut Willen’s no-holds-barred story. Skillfully told vignettes take readers careening with her and her husband on the roller coaster ride they took as she battled end-stage cirrhosis and, in the process of saving her life, redirected their perspective and repaired their relationship.

Imagine going from having dreams of career success to having nightmares of floods and destruction, from planning a cruise through the Galapagos to carrying toilet cushions into public bathrooms.Then imagine the road back, going from measuring every morsel of food that crosses your lips to eating croissants and chocolate pudding with abandon, from being caught in the web of co-addiction to being a fulfilled partner in a truly healthy relationship. Sharon Lamhut Willen went through all this and more–perhaps the worst midlife crisis ever.

The insights Willen offers on coping with terminal disease and the process of organ donation will be immensely helpful to would-be transplant recipients. Her generously shared personal reflections reveal the intelligence and humor she brought to bear while nurturing connections with the “angel guides” she credits with saving her life. Together, these serve as powerful models for anyone facing life’s challenges and transitions.