When You Can't Come Back

Wes Lukowsky

Dravecky is the San Francisco Giant pitcher who galvanized the nation a few seasons back when he came back from cancer--in his throwing arm--to win a major league game. Soon the cancer returned, though, forcing Dravecky to retire and ultimately to have the arm amputated. Dravecky's previous book, "Comeback", dealt with his return from cancer; here he relates the road back--spiritually and physically--from the amputation. Dravecky and his wife, Jan, are both devout Christians. To say their faith was tested would be a gross understatement. Each suffered a severe bout of depression, Jan lost her father to an unexpected heart attack, and the combination of medication and stress produced a peptic ulcer in Dave. While the authors clearly state that faith played a large role in their survival, they also testify to the importance of their love for each other, the role of friends, and the miracles of modern medicine. This is not a book that will interest only an evangelical audience; it makes worthwhile reading for anyone, especially those struggling with emotional or physical disabilities.