Praise for
Twin to Twin
“An inspirational and heart-wrenching book.”
—Cea Sunrise Person, author of bestselling memoir North of Normal
“An `orphan´ disease, expectant mothers with Twin to Twin (and their support systems) should adopt Crystal Duffy‘s new memoir Twin to Twin. An intimate account, told with flagging and unflagging optimism, Duffy‘s story ensures that others need not ride alone through this rollercoaster experience.”
—Suzy Becker, international bestselling author of All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat and One Good Egg
“Crystal Duffy‘s wit and self-deprecating humor helped her survive the realities and (sometimes devastating) physical and emotional truths of her high-stakes twin pregnancy. Twin to Twin is an engaging, compelling, and yes, entertaining read.”
—Susan Krawitz, author of Viva Rose
“Crystal‘s story is so moving and dramatic—the things that she, Ed, Abby, and her twins went through! She makes it all come alive with emotion and humor and honesty and pain, and I felt like I was right there with her.”
—Jane Roper, author of Double Time
“Imagine the worst day of your life so far, then multiply that by infinity. We imagine that is how Crystal Duffy must have felt the day she was told her twin pregnancy was threatened by twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). A potentially fatal disease that can take away one or both babies, TTTS is one of the least discussed issues in books about multiples—because it IS scary. Duffy dives bravely into her new frightening reality and emerges on the other side with a message of hope and optimism. Her must-read story is one of courage, honesty, family, and above all else, love.”
—Megan Woolsey and Alison Lee, editors of Multiples Illuminated: A Collection of Stories and Advice from Parents of Twins, Triplets and More and the sequel Multiples Illuminated: Life with Twins and Triplets, the Toddler to Tween Years
“An exciting ride through a delightful and surprising diagnosis that quickly turned terrifying. You’ll empathize with Crystal, cheer for her, and draw strength for your own struggles.”
—Margaret Welwood, author and mother of twins
“Twin to Twin chronicles Crystal Duffy‘s journey through her high-risk, high-stakes twin pregnancy. Both beautiful and painful, the book, with glorious details and pacing, shows the power of one mother‘s love and resilience against all odds.”
—Marcelle Soviero, Editor-in-Chief Brain, Child: The Magazine for Thinking Mothers
“Twin to Twin is a compelling story of motherhood, told with passion, precision and power.”
—Marya Hornbacher, New York Times bestselling author of Wasted and Madness
“Crystal did great after such a complicated pregnancy. Twin to Twin is both an exciting and dramatic read that brings to life the fears and challenges of a high-risk pregnancy. This memoir is a powerful resource for parents, family members and friends, but also for professionals, including physicians, nurses, therapists and genetic counselors.”
—Dr. Paul Cook, MD, with The OB/GYN Center of Houston affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital
“Twin to Twin is a riveting, poignant memoir about Crystal Duffy’s turbulent journey through her high-risk pregnancy with identical twin daughters. With just the right amounts of self-reflection, humor, pathos, and joy, the author takes us through her harrowing diagnosis and in utero treatment of twin to twin transfusion syndrome. The book explores the many life sustaining connections that help Mrs. Duffy endure her separation from her twenty-two-month-old daughter while being hospitalized for five weeks to monitor the health of the two fetuses. This well written sensitive story is inspirational and spiritually uplifting. Mrs. Duffy‘s experiences compel the reader to celebrate the maternal courage, fortitude, and bravery needed to endure unforeseen emotional and physical complications related to childbearing.”
—Joan A. Friedman, PhD, psychotherapist and author of Emotionally Healthy Twins and Twins in Session: Case Histories in Treating Twin Issues
“Crystal‘s book makes you realize that while not every twin parenting moment is rosy, it does make you stronger, and many of the darkest moments can make you a better parent, and a better woman.”
—Natalie Diaz, founder and CEO of Twiniversity and bestselling author of What to Do When You’re Having Two
“I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It describes a mother‘s experience dealing with the ever-changing drama of twin pregnancy with complications. Duffy has written the account in such a way that anyone, whether the reader knows about the subject matter or not, they can relate to it in some way. It is charming, witty, at times sad but very uplifting description of human determination and resilience. As a physician who deals with the outcomes of such pregnancies and is always searching the best way to help mothers and families understand what to expect during such situations, this book will be an essential tool.”
—Dr. Amir Khan, MD, Neonatal Perinatal Medicine Specialist, Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center
“In her book, Twin to Twin, Crystal Duffy (who calls herself `feisty´ and her pregnant body a `science project´) shares her journey through loss, pregnancy, renewal, and the miracle of being part of the 1 percent of mothers with a Mono-Mono twin pregnancy. Buoyed by her faith, the love of her husband, Ed, and a cast of unlikely heroes at the hospital worthy of their own sitcom—like Paul, the male nurse she binge watches Bravo‘s Housewives shows with, and the music therapist, Charlotte, who helps her channel her suffering into song—Crystal shares every stage of her perilous journey toward birthing her babies, with honesty, humility and humor. Everyone has a birth story but this one will move you to tears, make you chuckle, and count your blessings along with Crystal as she illustrates, through words and poetry, her weeks as a hospital inpatient, and the path that led to her current work as an antepartum and neonatal patient advocate.”
—Estelle Erasmus, journalist, writing coach, Writer’s Digest University instructor, and host of ASJA Direct podcast
“Anyone in the field of fetal medicine, or any field of medicine for that matter, should consider reading Crystal’s book. It is an uninhibited disclosure of a mother’s experience with a life-threatening pregnancy complication. Not only does it show the sometimes yawning chasm between what doctor’s counsel and what patients hear, but Crystal reveals it with clarity, wit, and empathy. Her story displays the extraordinary courage of a pregnant mother and the enduring compassion, talent, and wisdom of her team of providers. It is an uplifting example of what humans do best: care for each other. This book is Crystals way of caring by sharing her experience so that others can benefit.”
—Stephen P. Emery, MD, Director, Center for Innovative Fetal Intervention, Magee-Women’s Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
FROM HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY
TO HAPPY FAMILY
Crystal Duffy
Mango Publishing
Coral Gables
Copyright © 2018 Crystal Duffy
Cover & Layout Design: Jermaine Lau
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