The Strength of My Scars – serie

In Single Ventricle: My One Pump Train Station, readers are guided through understanding single ventricle heart defects using a fun analogy of our hearts being train stations. Through simple explanations and fun color illustrations, you will learn how blood is pumped around our bodies, and why having a single ventricle makes this harder. The book includes helpful information about different surgical procedures and a glossary of common words you'll hear doctors use through treatment. This informative and enjoyable book is part of the series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgical resident, Maria Baimas-George.

In Welcome to the NICU, you'll be taken on a journey through the neonatal intensive care unit, learning about common equipment and procedures to help it all seem a bit less scary. You'll be guided through all the various monitoring equipment, breathing tubes, feeding tubes and IV lines with simple explanations and full-of-character colour illustrations. The book includes helpful information about common procedures and diagnoses, as well as a glossary of common words you'll hear doctors use in the NICU. This informative and enjoyable book is part of the series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgeon, Maria Baimas-George.

Broken Bones: Mei and the Monkey Bars describes the experience of breaking a bone, from the injury, to the hospital visit, to treatment through the story of a young girl named Mei, who breaks her arm after falling from the monkey bars. Written in easy to understand language with vibrant illustration, this fun and hopeful book teaches children and their families all about the common occurrence of breaking a bone in childhood, to improve understanding and calm fears. To supplement conversations with doctors, the book provides a glossary of common words you'll hear doctors use through treatment. Other important information is included in a 'Facts' section, covering bone and fracture facts, types of broken bones, and tips for treating broken bones and taking care of your cast. This informative and enjoyable book is part of the series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgeon, Maria Baimas-George.

In Vaccines: Bev Gets Her Superhero Shots, readers are introduced to Bev, a young superhero. The story explains that even superheroes can get sick from germs and sometimes our bodies need help protecting us. Enter the vaccines! They help train our bodies to defend ourselves from these germs, and in turn, protect other people, helping readers understand why these shots are so important. This book helps children of all ages understand how vaccines work and why they are important, even if the shots hurt a little bit! To help caregivers of newborns, a valuable colorful schedule of all childhood vaccinations needed between birth and age 12 is included. Featuring answers to commonly asked questions, important facts, and a descriptive listing of diseases and their corresponding vaccines. This informative and enjoyable book is part of the series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgeon, Maria Baimas-George.

Appendicitis: One Angry Worm, follows the successful 'battle' of an elementary school child against Appendicitis, or an infected appendix, which is depicted as an 'angry worm'. The story describes the child's journey in easy to understand language and vibrant illustration from the onset of symptoms, to diagnosis, to surgical treatment. The book guides patients and caregivers through the typical hospital experience, to improve understanding of what may follow a diagnosis of appendicitis, helping to ease their fear and worry. It includes a glossary of common words you'll hear doctors use through treatment and a 'Facts' section containing important information, to supplement conversations with doctors. Additional special sections contain surgery facts, instructions for after surgery, and what to expect with perforated appendicitis (when the appendix ruptures). This informative and enjoyable book is part of the series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgeon, Maria Baimas-George.

G-Tubes: Fuel Me Up! explores the topic of G-Tubes (gastrostomy tubes) using the example of one child's experience, in a fun and hopeful story. Their role in delivering food, water and medication is described through the analogy of a car fuel system, alleviating fear in patients, their families and friends and illuminating the need for and function of G-tubes in simple terms. Easy to understand language and engaging illustrations ensure information accessible for readers of all ages. The book includes a 'Facts' section with important information and answers to commonly asked questions, to supplement conversations with doctors. Featuring instructions relating to feeding and surgical and basic care, alongside appropriate remedies to common issues you may encounter and a glossary of common words you'll hear doctors use through treatment. This informative and enjoyable book is part of the series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgeon, Maria Baimas-George.

Dialysis: An Aquarium Filter for your Blood explains the experience of dialysis, answering questions about this treatment, including: What is it? Why do you need it? How does it feel? Written in easy to understand language with vibrant illustrations, this story introduces you to Amari who describes their experience of receiving dialysis, in order to reassure readers and help them to understand this treatment. Other important information is included in a 'Facts' section, covering information about kidneys, different types of dialysis, what the treatment entails, and how to prepare for it. This informative and enjoyable book is part of the series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgeon, Maria Baimas-George.

Liver Transplantation, Part Three: Time for Surgery is a step-by-step guide to the experience of liver transplant surgery. It guides you right through the process, from receiving the call that your new liver is ready, through surgery, to recovery and discharge. With easy-to-understand language and vibrant illustrations, readers will learn what to expect during the surgery and how to prepare for the recovery process. This book is the third in a series on Liver Transplantation which, when used together, guides readers through the entire experience of having a liver transplant. Key facts and details about the surgery, including how long it takes and what happens during the procedure are included, to prepare and comfort you when it is time for your surgery. This informative and enjoyable book is part of the series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgeon, Maria Baimas-George.

Liver Transplantation, Part Four: Taking Care of Your New Liver is a guide on how to take care of a new liver after transplantation. Using an analogy that compares a body to a castle, and your immune system to knights that defend that castle, readers will learn about very important topics like immunosuppression medicines, 'rejection', and infection. Readers will also learn about the importance of regular check-ins with doctors to examine recovery and ensure the new liver is functioning properly. This book is the fourth in a series on Liver Transplantation which, when used together, guides readers through the entire experience of having a liver transplant. Written in easy to understand language with vibrant illustrations, the book is comprehensive, as well as fun, comforting and hopeful. This informative and enjoyable book is part of the series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgeon, Maria Baimas-George.

Liver Transplant: Your Transition to Care is an informative and interactive book designed to help you understand how to keep yourself and your liver healthy as you grow older and become more independent. With a simple and engaging format, this book helps you understand and organize information about your own liver transplant and treatment. It also explains why you may want to rebel against your transplant care as you grow up, but why it's so vital to stay on track. The interactive nature of the book provides space for you to write down important information such as your goals, frustrations, medical team, and medicines. This helps you take an active role in your own care and stay motivated to keep yourself healthy for the amazing life ahead of you. This empowering book is part of the series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgeon, Maria Baimas-George.

Liver Transplantation, Part One: The Basics takes readers through everything they need to know about liver transplantation. From explaining what livers do, to what it means when they don't work, this book uses relatable analogies to help young readers understand complex medical concepts. Using the analogy of a car, the book explains that just like a car needs a new engine when it's broken, our body needs a new liver when it's not working properly. This book is the first in a series on Liver Transplantation which, when used together, guides readers through the entire experience of having a liver transplant. With vibrant illustrations and easy-to-understand language, as well as a glossary of commonly used words by doctors, this informative and enjoyable book is part of the series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgeon, Maria Baimas-George.

Liver Transplantation, Part Two: Getting Ready for Your New Liver guides readers through the process of getting ready for a liver transplant. With easy-to-understand language and vibrant illustrations, this book introduces the team of people readers will meet, explains the steps that will happen before the transplant, and provides information about the waitlist. Readers will also learn what they should be doing while they are on the waiting list, providing them with a sense of control during a stressful time. This book is the second in a series on Liver Transplantation which, when used together, guides readers through the entire experience of having a liver transplant. It also forms part of the informative and enjoyable series The Strength of My Scars, written and illustrated by surgeon, Maria Baimas-George.

Central Lines, Ports & PICCs: Highways to the Heart explains how central lines are used to support treatment for certain medical conditions. Readers follow a child's experience with treatment and learn how the three types of lines, including ports, tunneled central lines, and peripherally inserted central catheters, work. The story uses an analogy of highways vs backroads to demonstrate how treatment needs to take the quickest and easiest route to the heart. Every step of the process is described in easy-to-understand language and vibrant color illustration. To help supplement conversations with doctors, important information including procedure details and home care tips is included in a 'Facts' section at the end of the book, along with a helpful glossary of 'Doctor Words' with relevant medical terms explained in plain language. This informative and comforting book is part of The Strength of My Scars series, written and illustrated by surgeon Maria Baimas-George.

Biliary Atresia: My Troublesome Tree, follows a child's experience with biliary atresia, a complex disease that blocks the bile system causing liver failure. The story describes the liver and bile ducts as a magnificent tree that becomes diseased. From disease onset to the Kasai procedure, liver transplantation, and immunosuppression medicines, the book guides readers through every step in easy-to-understand language and vibrant illustration. The book aims to help caregivers of a newborn with biliary atresia understand the anatomy and hospital course, and also serves as a resource for patients when they grow up and want to understand their medical journey, and share their experience with loved ones. A 'Facts' section at the end includes important information, and a glossary of 'Doctor Words' explains relevant medical terms in plain language. This informative and comforting book is part of The Strength of My Scars series, written and illustrated by surgeon Maria Baimas-George.