Dr. Ravindra Nathan is a prominent cardiologist (retired) who has lived and worked in Hernando County since 1980. He established the Hernando Heart Clinic in Brooksville in 1987. He currently volunteers his services at Crescent Community Clinic in Brooksville. In his newly released book, ‘Second Chance: A Sister’s Act of Love,’ he describes his medical journey- as both a doctor and a patient with serious kidney disease.
There were many complications that arose because of the disease as well as after kidney replacement. Dr. Nathan educates the reader about the importance of the kidneys, and describes the medical conditions and various procedures in a way that is detailed yet easily grasped. Dr. Nathan also outlines the choices he was faced with and provides the medical reasoning on why he chose the path he did.
Dr. Nathan includes an informative evaluation of managed care from the perspective of both patient and doctor.
The book is above all a tribute to his loving and devoted sister Ratnam who gave him one of her kidneys. Dr. Nathan recounts her words to him in the book, “I will give you anything, not just my kidneys, even my heart if you need it.”
The book provides patients and family members with hope. Dr. Nathan went through a great number of trials, yet thanks to modern medicine, a healthy lifestyle and his sister’s gift he is celebrating 24 years since his transplant.
Dr. Nathan states that currently kidney transplant is the choice treatment for chronic renal failure (over dialysis options). However he looks to the future of kidney disease treatment in bioartificial kidneys with early trials underway.
Published by: Outskirts Press Pages 250, Paperback Retail price $ 21.95 Available from www.amazon.com
