When Life Gives You Pears

The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People

By: Jeannie Gaffigan

Narrated by: Liz Noth, Jeannie Gaffigan, Jim Gaffigan

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

In an audiobook that is The Big Sick meets Dad Is Fat, Jeannie Gaffigan, writer/director/producer/accused supermom and wife of best-selling author/comedian Jim Gaffigan, writes with humor and heart about the pear-sized brain tumor she had removed, the toll it took on her enormous family, and the priceless lessons she learned along the way.

In 2017, Jeannie's life came to a crashing halt when she was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor. As the mother of five kids - six if you include her husband - sat in the neurosurgery department in star-covered sweats too whimsical for the seriousness of the situation, all she could think was, "Am I going to die?" 

Thankfully, Jeannie and her family were able to survive their time of crisis, and now she is sharing her deeply personal journey through this miraculous story: the challenging conversations she had with her children; how she came to terms with feeling powerless and ferociously crabby while bedridden and unable to eat for a month; and how she ultimately learned, re-learned, and re-re-learned to be more present in life. 

With sincerity and hilarity, Jeannie invites you into her heart (and brain) during this trying time, emphasizing the importance of family, faith, and humor as keys to her recovery and leading a more fulfilling life.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Jeannie Gaffigan (P)2019 Grand Central Publishing

Thanks God for reminding me who is in control

So I see this interview of this woman by Raymond Arroyo on EWTN about a month ago or around there. By nature I'm a slow starter when it comes to reading, but, when I finally get going with the book, I don't put it down. Such is with this diamond. I can't imagine someone going through something like this but I got a dose of reality while listening to Jeannie Gaffigan. Prepare yourself to be humbled. God created an angel and I was blessed to read/listen to it. Trust me, you won't be sorry.

Beautifully written, touching, sincere and heartfelt...

Wow! This audiobook was tremendous. As a mom who also had a benign and destructive tumor (far less of an ordeal than the brain tumor here), I laughed and sobbed through the book. What a beautifully written, touching, funny, sincere and heartfelt retelling of your unbelievable journey. Thanks for sharing it with us. Love to the Gaffigan family.

An honest story about facing a serious condition

Let me start by saying, I was also diagnosed with a benign brain tumor this year, that like Jeannie's required immediate surgery. While there were lots of differences, there were a lot of similarities too and I really appreciated her honesty and candor about her surgery, treatment and recovery. I was moved by her families' 'all in' rally of support and how she didn't give up or give in to those feelings of self-pity and frustration that come along on your way to wellness. My husband and I listened to this audiobook on our drive to Mayo Clinic for my 3 month post-surgical follow-up visit. We both enjoyed the listen. Thank you Jeannie and Jim for sharing your story so honestly with us all. God bless you and continue to heal you!

Unexpected heart wrenching honesty and humor.

Her humor and honesty were refreshing. I could visualize her in all of the situations. I have always loved her husbands humor, now I am a fan of her also. Can’t wait till their kids write their books!

inspiring and funny

This book is more than I expected! It is profound, inspiring yet honest, real and funny. It's got a type of lightness, as if you were visiting with Jeannie, and she was telling you her story in a very informal and familiar way.

I devoured it in two days, listening while doing chores at home, driving, and any free time I could find. (basically neglecting everyone... but just for two days).

God sent

I really enjoy listening to this Amazing audiobook it was very inspiring and what’s really great is we are 10 minutes from Chesterton Indiana where Jim was raised . My son lives there now on 18th St. with his family. So I get Jim’s comedy and we understand being Catholic ourselves Jeannie’s strong faith in God. Oh lol and being from a family of 12 me being the fourth in the line up & and my husband coming from an Irish Catholic family of eight him being the fifth in the line up . Understand big families and all that goes with it . So this book was close to home for me I loved it !!!
All my best to the Gaffigan family,
Lydia Curran

Delightful

Made me smile and cry sometimes at the same time. God gives us what we need. Thank you for Jeannie

Exceptional!

Both my husband and I enjoyed this book immensely. Well written and a nice combination of funny, moving, and heartwarming at the same time. We have been Jim's fans for years and appreciated the opportunity to 'get to know' Jeannie through this amazing story as well. So appreciated her honesty, sense of humor, and insights. Loved the fact that in spite of their notoriety, they are grounded, hard working parents. Thanks for sharing a very difficult part of your lives!

WONDERFUL and inspiring

This book is nothing short of inspiring. You would think it to be horribly depressing but Jeannie really makes you realize that this was a gift for her. Sounds crazy right? Not really when you hear why she says this. I have a lot of health issues and Jeannie's will and desire to get better was amazing and I look up to her for this.

I love the Gaffigan family and this was just fantastic. There is a part about her giving birth that had me bawling as I drove down the road. But wow, what an incredible book. If you have any doubts about it, don't. Just buy it!

loved it!

Jeannie's story gives me the courage to face my challenges. It was very well written and it was so fun to have a look into the Gaffigan family and his they take on life.