It's Good to Know a Miracle: Dani's Story: One Family's Struggle With Leukemia

by Jay Shotel, Sue Shotel

Distributed by the University of Nebraska Press for Richard Altschuler & Associates, Inc./ Gordian Knot Books In August 2002 Dani Shotel was a healthy twenty-six-year-old young woman with an almost perfect life. She had a gratifying job as a special-needs teacher in an elementary school, many friends, a loving family, and a fiancé, Scott Greene, whom she was soon to marry. One month later she was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and from that moment, her world turned upside down. 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 recount her unforgettable journey to recovery. The Shotels provide a wealth of information about leukemia, about the role each family member played in supporting Dani, about the anguished quest for medical answers, the myriad decisions a family must make amid the medical maze, the value of love and friendship, and the generosity of the young German citizen, Tom, who donated the marrow that saved Dani’s life. In this practical guide for others who must fight cancer, the Shotels discuss the importance of medical coverage, of being a self-advocate, of asking questions and educating oneself about the disease, of drawing strength and energy from and showing appreciation to those involved in the wellness process. Listen to an interview with the authors.

344 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

On September 11, 2002 our daughter Dani was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). Cancer is a life changing event and Leukemia is a word one hears but never really understands until it hits someone you love. This is a story about: one familys journey to an unknown place; the value of love and friendship; a seemingly unending quest for answers; the power of positive thinking; and, a young woman whose name is Dani, and the strength and courage she displayed in her individual battle with AML. This is the chronicle of her family and the roles each one played in supporting Dani in her fight. It is also the account of the vital decisions a family must make as they proceed through the medical maze. Above all, it is a book about love, hope, determination, and the strong young woman who would do whatever it took to win the toughest battle of her young life.
Jay Shotel is a professor and chair of the Department of Teacher Preparation and Special Education at George Washington University.
Sue Shotel retired as a secondary-school administrator after 30 years with the Montgomery County Maryland Public Schools and currently works as a consultant for the school system. They live in Gaithersburg, Maryland."

Reviews

[Sharalyn]

This is a true story about Zachary's teacher. It was based on the journals her parents kept beginning with the day she was diagnosed with leukemia. It was a hard read - emotionally - but knowing she survived helped get me through it.

[Julia]

A good story of a young woman't struggle with leukemia, from diagnosis to end of treatment. The details of her treatment seemed very real to me.