June 13 Release: The Anomaly – Living off Donated Organs and Dark Humor by Inka Nisinbaum
A powerful new memoir detailing one woman’s extraordinary journey through chronic illness, organ transplantation, and motherhood will be released on June 13. The Anomaly – Living off Donated Organs and Dark Humor by Inka Nisinbaum offers a candid, often humorous, and deeply inspiring account of surviving against overwhelming odds.
Born with cystic fibrosis, a progressive genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system, Nisinbaum spent much of her childhood and early adulthood navigating hospital visits, treatments, and the uncertainty that comes with a life-threatening illness. By the age of 23, her condition had deteriorated to the point where she required a double lung and liver transplant to survive.
The memoir recounts the emotional and physical challenges of waiting 15 months for the life-saving call that could arrive at any moment—or not at all. Nisinbaum describes the anxiety of living on borrowed time, balancing hope and fear while knowing that her future depended on the generosity of an organ donor and their family.
When the transplant finally came, the surgery marked the beginning of a new battle rather than the end of one. In The Anomaly, Nisinbaum openly discusses the often brutal recovery process, including complications, setbacks, and the immense physical and emotional toll of learning how to live with transplanted organs.
Yet the book is far from a story of suffering alone. Through a blend of resilience and dark humor, Nisinbaum shares how she gradually reclaimed her life. She completed her degree in psychology, discovered a passion for running, and ultimately crossed the finish line of a half marathon—an accomplishment that once seemed impossible for someone whose lungs had failed.
Her journey continued with finding love, getting married, and pursuing opportunities beyond her native Germany. After relocating to the United States with her husband, Nisinbaum faced what many medical professionals considered uncharted territory.
In one of the memoir’s most groundbreaking chapters, she details her path to motherhood. Despite the significant medical complexities associated with organ transplantation, Nisinbaum became the first woman in the world known to give birth after receiving the specific combination of a double lung and liver transplant. Her son was born healthy, marking a milestone not only for her family but also for transplant medicine.
Throughout the memoir, Nisinbaum reflects on the unique challenges of living as a transplant recipient for decades. She explores themes of gratitude, survivor’s guilt, identity, and the constant awareness that her life was made possible by another family’s loss. At the same time, she refuses to allow the subject matter to become overwhelmingly heavy, infusing the narrative with wit, honesty, and moments of unexpected laughter.
“The Anomaly” offers readers an intimate look into the realities of organ transplantation while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of organ donation and the possibilities that can emerge even after the darkest moments.
As transplant medicine continues to advance and more patients achieve long-term survival, Nisinbaum’s story stands as both a personal testament and a source of hope for individuals facing serious illness. She will be presenting her memoir at this year’s American Transplant Games in Denver, Colorado, in cooperation with the the Transplant Pregnancy Registry International (TPRI).
The Anomaly – Living off Donated Organs and Dark Humor will be available beginning June 13 through major online book retailers.
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