Hundreds of Interlaced Fingers: A Kidney Doctor's Search for the Perfect Match

If you're looking for a book that matters, you’ll certainly want to read this excellent memoir by Vanessa Grubbs, a medical doctor: When Vanessa first meets Robert, a board member at the hospital where she works, she doesn’t even like the dude; he’s too cocky and too light-skinned for her taste. But pretty soon their relationship—and the book—develops into a page-turning romance. Next thing you know, Vanessa offers Robert one of her kidneys. You see, Robert has suffered renal failure and has been on dialysis for years by the time he and Vanessa meet. Hundreds of Interlaced Fingers is not only a great love story but also an excellent source of information about kidney disease. Even after my father died of renal failure 5 years ago, I knew very little about the disease and about dialysis until I read this book. I found Chapter 18 particularly important, especially its insights about when dialysis might be appropriate and when it probably is not (even if readily available, free of charge, as in the U.S). As I read, I especially appreciated the honesty and sensitivity with which that very tough chapter and the entire book is written. Thank you, Vanessa Grubbs. I highly recommend this memoir to readers of all interests and tastes.

Hundreds of Interlaced Fingers had me hooked from the first chapter. This is a love story with a plot twist. Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, girl falls for boy, girl gives boy a kidney. There’s true love and sacrifice, and that’s just the beginning. Vanessa Grubbs’ story is both romantic and illuminating. I felt compelled to keep reading and learn about kidneys, a subject I wouldn’t ordinarily care about, because I wanted to know what happened to Vanessa and Robert. Grubbs reveals her personal story as a kidney donor to her now-husband to educate us about everything kidney, an organ that often goes unappreciated until it’s too late. Her straightforward non-medical language demystifies this complicated subject and makes it easy for the non-medical person, like me, to comprehend. She’s the same reliable and plainspoken narrator whether she’s describing her relationship with Robert or she’s explaining the differences between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Grubbs doesn’t hesitate to address critical issues surrounding racial biases in kidney transplant allocation and treatment. I can’t help but think about the many biases against anyone outside the “norm” (people of color, people with disabilities, people who don’t speak English, the poor) that pervade our current medical system, often with devastating outcomes. Hundreds of Interlaced Fingers is not just for people who have kidney disease. This book is for anyone who is or who cares about someone at risk for kidney problems. Questions about risk? Grubbs answers our frequently asked questions and provides resources if you need more information. Of course, this book is also for those of us who want to read a true story about love and devotion. You don’t have to be on the receiving end of medicine to appreciate Hundreds of Interlaced Fingers. This is a book for health care professionals, too. Grubbs is a physician who engages with her patients, their families, their lifestyles, not just their kidneys. In some cases, she knows more about her patients than their own families. This is how medicine should be practiced.

Fantastic insight to kidney transplants written from a personal experience by one in the medical field.

This book is brilliant and provides ways to advocate for yourself and others who are minoritized. It was such an eye opener for the discrimination that exist in our healthcare system. Very inspiring and insightful. A must read.

Imagine a love story, two intertwined life stories, and medical expertise combined into a memoir that will make you laugh, cry, and feel your feelings. This book is an extraordinary achievement. Warning, you will want to read it all at once.

It's important to see physicians and other healthcare providers as human beings. It's important to understand how incredibly nuanced and complicated chronic kidney disease treatment is (or treatment for any illness), and how important it is for each of us to take ownership for our healthcare decisions. Where we come from informs the individuals and professionals we become and we are foolish if we don't actively look to connect with those that are taking care of us or who we are taking care of (MDs, RNs, RDs, SWs). Dr. Grubbs shares her story in a way that brings these different facets into sharp focus at different times throughout the telling. It is absolutely a love story but it's also a cautionary tale. I'm still thinking about it days after I finished reading. Thank you Dr. Grubbs and Robert Phillips.

A heart felt if somewhat poorly written story

This is truly a wonderful book that's personal, funny and educational all at the same time. Dr. Grubbs doesn't shy away from describing the most painful and intimate experiences of her life. She also highlights the racial disparities in the dialysis and kidney transplant world that I never knew existed. It's an eye opening for those of us who don't have the slightlest idea of what it means to have a chronic kidney disease and have to live with the limited choices. I loved reading about the anatomy of kidneys (SHE- so suiting!), and I learned a lot about the history of dialysis, and everyday struggles of those who have to endure it. I, most of all, enjoyed reading about the evolution of her career, giving her more tools and resources to advice her patients about the best course given their condition. I do hope that this books becomes a require reading material for residents and fellows who aspire to get into Nephrology. We need more doctors like Dr. Grubbs who care about their patients rather than the statistics.