It's Good to Know a Miracle: Dani's Story
Subtitle: One Family's Struggle with Leukemia
Publisher: Gordian Knot; Gordian Knot Books
Published: April 28, 2008
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 230
ISBN-13: 9781884092749
Subjects: Diseases - Cancer; Personal Memoirs; Health & Fitness / Diseases / Cancer; Health & Fitness; Diet / Health / Fitness; Health/Fitness
Description: In August 2002 Dani Shotel was a healthy 26-year old young woman with an almost perfect life.  She had gratifying work, as a special needs teacher in an elementary school in Arlington County, Virginia, many friends, a loving family, and a boyfriend,  Scott Greene, whom she was soon to marry.  Then just one month later, on September 11 -- an appropriately infamous date--Dani was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). From that moment on, her world turned upside down and she and her family went on an unforgettable journey.  They returned with many valuable life-lessons, and want to share them with all cancer victims, their families, their loved ones, and professionals involved in the wellness process.

In this inspirational and informative book, Dani's parents, Jay and Sue Shotel, vividly convey the strength and courage their daughter displayed in her battle with AML, as they tell the story of the events that led to her recovery.  Along the way they provide a wealth of information about leukemia, and tell engrossing stories about their family's journey to an unknown place, the roles each family member played to support Dani in her fight for life, the value of love and friendship, the anguish in the quest for answers, the power of positive thinking, the vital decisions a family must make as they proceed through the medical maze, and about the young German citizen, Tom--who donated the marrow that saved Dani's life and then flew in to Washington, D.C., to attend Dani and Scott's wedding in 2005! 

The vivid details in It's Good to Know a Miracle: Dani's Story, are made possible because Sue Shotel insisted that the family keep a log of everything that occurred during the period from September 11, 2002, until Dani's release from the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and return to Washington, D.C. in May of 2003.  In telling their story, the authors hope that the level of detail provided in this book will assist families who face similar circumstances in dealing with the known, the unknown, and the decisions that need to be made along the way.
Notes: Comments from the professional community about It's Good to Know a Miracle:

Selected as one of 10 Health Books in 2008 "You'll Actually Want to Read"

Laura Landro, Editor, Wall Street Journal, December 24, 2008 



A deeply personal, remarkably detailed testimonial to  the power of positive energy and medical advocacy to bring about the miracle of a second chance at life through transplantation. Jay and Sue persuasively share the many perspectives that encompass the transplant journey….from that of caregiver, to patient to medical staff. Every reader will find many wonderful lessons and inspiration to take away from this tale. I commend the authors for their honesty and perseverance in the detail of the telling.

Lynne Coughlin Samson, Esq., Executive Director                                                                                   National Transplant Assistance Fund & Catastrophic Injury Program

Every time I work on the inpatient service it reminds me of the critically important role of the caregivers, loved ones and support system for each of our patients.  This is especially true during difficult times, when the connections provided by the caregivers and support system (whether through physical care, verbal encouragement or just being there in spirit) offer the patient their most tangible reasons for hope, strength and will to keep fighting.  It's more "powerful" than our strongest chemotherapy, antibiotics and stem cell graft effects.  The Shotel’s book is a poignant illustration of this critically important role. 

Michael Linenberger, MD, Medical Director, Apheresis and Cellular Therapy
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

It is always helpful for families to know that their journey through transplant, with its ups and downs, has been shared by others.  This book offers not only the patient’s insight but those of her parents/caregivers as well.  Families facing a transplant will draw inspiration from the Shotel’s experience.

Susan Stewart, Executive Director, Bone Marrow Transplant InfoNET
"This is an amazing story of a woman who stayed strong in the struggle to fight (and WIN!) for her life. Her dedication, passion and insights in coping with the emotional and physical pain during her journey no doubt played major roles in her ability to 'beat leukemia'. She is an inspiring figure and gives hope to all of us who ultimately will experience a life's greatest challenge."
 
F. Marc Stewart, M.D.
Medical Director, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Member, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Professor of Medicine, University of Washington