The Ninefold Path (ePub)

Anthony Alioto was diagnosed with end stage renal disease in 1993 and was forced to go on dialysis for several years before receiving a successful kidney transplant in 2000.In The Ninefold Path, he invites readers to join him on a harrowing personal journey through a labyrinth of tests, "what can I expect" meetings with medical staff, surgeries, and near-death experiences. He spares no detail in his desire to provide a guide for others living with a chronic disease – and their families and friends – on how to navigate the oftentimes rough waters of modern medicine.The Ninefold Path is for all of those wearily traveling through chronic illnesses and for those by their sides wondering what to do, it is a celebration of the extraordinary individuals in medicine who relieve the suffering of strangers each and every day. In cataloging detail, there is inspiration, plus a call to compassion and serenity.A Note to the Reader from The Ninefold Path:"The reader can expect to encounter a very personal and human account of chronic illness, sometimes painful, sometimes hilarious, and then at times simply absurd – but, hopefully, also moving. One need not search for profound insights, recipes, therapy, or sage advice. It is my hope that you will come away with a feeling, a sense of being there, maybe a kind of liberation from the 'merely personal' as Einstein phrased it, and a new appreciation for what others endure daily. Even in the midst of suffering physical pain and mental anguish, a person may yet gain the freedom to live a life of celebration, joy, compassion, and serenity. Zen Master Kyong Ho once said, 'Don't hope for life without problems. An easy life results in a judgmental and lazy mind.'"