My Son’s Struggle with Cystic Fibrosis
by Jerry E. Hendon – 2016 – iUniverse
Description
It’s Been a Good Life, Dad! My Son’s Struggle with Cystic Fibrosis portrays a young man – Kevin Hendon – who lived his eighteen years with Cystic Fibrosis ever present. The author, Jerry E. Hendon, tells the story of his son’s life in the first part of this biography. He presents the disease’s harsh truths and the severe limits-and of medicine’s ability to respond to the disease’s challenges. With equal clarity, though, he reveals the energy and determination his son showed in the face of his diagnosis.
In the second part of It’s Been a Good Life, Dad!, Kevin’s poetry takes center stage. He shares his feelings of isolation and frustration. He ruminates on love, lust, and romance. He expresses his observations about friends and school. He reflects on the place of religion and family in his life.
The final two sections of the book sample the recollections of people who knew Kevin and share the abiding influences of Kevin’s spirit in the wider community of those his life has touched.
Whether you have Cystic Fibrosis or know someone who lives with this disease, you might find yourself turning the pages of this portrayal and feeling the temptation to echo the author’s despair when he said, “What a miserable life!” But in the face of this disease and in response to such tugs to give in to despair, Kevin’s responds, “Oh, no. It’s been a good life, Dad. It’s been a good life.”
Awards
- Selected as An Editor’s Choice book by iUniverse
Testimonial Comments
- Book described as a “masterpiece” by two sources
Reader Reviews
- Numerous 5-star reviews on Amazon
Media Coverage
- Article about the book appeared in newspapers of the three communities associated with Kevin’s life – Baytown, TX, Murray, KY, and Mayfield, KY
Preview Options
See “Look Inside” option above book cover on Amazon.
Available to Buy
Paperback – ISBN 978‐1491778395 – 6″ wide x 9″ high – 406 pages – List Price $25.95
Kindle – ASIN B01AK9B2PW – 4192 KB – List Price $3.99
Individual copies of It’s Been a Good Life, Dad! are available from Amazon and other online & independent booksellers.
Related Links
In 1986, Kevin – a huge Van Halen fan – was scheduled to be a special guest at an upcoming Van Halen concert, but he ended up having to go into the hospital. So, Van Halen changed the plans and visited Kevin there. See this video of that surprise visit: