5 comments about Judith's Pavilion: The Haunting Memories of a Neurosurgeon.

1. Combining science and humanities is a fascinating undertaking - I'm finding more and more examples of it; his is one of the best.



2. As a surgeon who enjoys the writings of other physicians, I was disappointed with Judith's Pavilion. His metaphors and analogies are frequently a bit far fetched. The writing lacks coherence while his stream of consciousness makes the prose difficult to read. The author rarely points to anything profound or intriguing, though he does write with conviction. There are plenty of other reflective books about medicine that would be better to sample than Judith's Pavilion. If this genre interests you, try something by one of these physicians: Paul Brand (The Gift of Pain, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made), Oliver Sacks (The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Awakenings), Lewis Thomas (The Lives of a Cell, The Youngest Science), Richard Selzer (Mortal Lessons, Letters to a Young Doctor), David Graham (Thoughts Along the Way), Harold Klawans (Toscanini's Fumble, Newton's Madness), or Sherwin Nuland (The Wisdom of the Body).



3. I tried not to let my disappointment in the book's contents be reflected in my rating of it.

   This book is about life and death, mistakes, regrets, transience, and a milieu of philosophical issues. The fact that the author is a specialist in neurosurgery has little to do with the book itself, except perhaps as evidence that scientists can be poetic writers as well. Admittedly I was hoping more for a book dealing with the issues and details of neurosurgical patients and their outcomes.

   The prose was lovely and poetic, though fraught with metaphors. It was hard to follow at times, seeming more like a recording of a stream of consciousness. The book was not particularly mesmerizing reading, but it did hold my interest at a moderate pace.




4. The practice of medicine holds special fascination for me, a longtime practitioner myself. This work reveals a depth of feeling and a revelation of the human soul that is often overlooked in such an important profession as neurosurgery; still, Dr. Flitter's writing at times is difficult to stay with, and he sometimes wanders unneccessarily. However, writing from the heart as he does is honest and difficult, and for that I applaud his work. I would recommend his book to others in the healthcare field.



5. I love to read books on medicine/surgery, etc. But I don't think that I have ever read a book that, after finishing a chapter (or even a particular sentence), has made me put the book in my lap and sit back and marvel at the author's use of language. Many times, since I was reading it at work on break, I had to fight to hold back tears. Some of the stories are so heart-breaking. One that I will always remember told of a young boy that had to undergo 2 brain surgeries and a tough fight with life-threatening infection. But he made it through ! He would live a normal life afterall ! But a short while later when playing with his siblings, a balloon he was blowing up popped and the boy fell to the ground unable to breathe. An autopsy revealed that a small piece of balloon had become stuck in the windpipe. He had survived 2 very dangerous operations only to fall victim to a balloon !! I highly recommend this beautifully written memoir for all readers that enjoy being entranced by the skillful and astounding use of words.

No comments about The Indomitable Lady Doctors.

5 comments about Healing Lazarus: A Buddhist's Journey from Near Death to New Life.

1. zzzzzzzz.... Guy gets sick, guy is well supported by family , friends, lite religion and plenty of cash. Get "Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales instead of this for some truly gripping tales of human Resilience. Steve Kelly



2. Appreciated Richmond's interweaving, and fleshing out of, the Biblical story of Lazarus with Buddhist beliefs and principles. The honest and revealing sharing of his emotional experience was moving. I wish he had commented, even briefly, on people who don't have devoted spouses, ethical business associates, and good medical insurance when such tragedies happen. Does he have anything to offer these folks? He is/was a blessed man in many ways.



3. An exceptional book! Lewis Richmond touches your heart as he writes of a rare disease, encephalitis, that transforms his mind, body, and soul. As a survivor, I truly appreciate the depth he goes to explain this devastating ordeal. Highly recommended.



4. What a book. Good for you Lew. It goes to the depths and brings us up with a moving story of despair and hope and enormous effort.



5. Lewis uses the words, "...permanently transformed by the experience..." "...must endure against formidable odds." In this book, Lewis has told his story in a manner which will warm the hearts of survivors, AND help loved ones and caregivers understand. I will very highly recommend this book to my survivor friends. A remarkable autobiography!

2 comments about The Immune Spirit: A Story of Love, Loss and Healing; One Woman's Triumph over Breast Cancer, from the Mother of Meg Ryan.

1. This book is a richly detailed memoir of a particular woman and time... it is the story of the author, growing up in 1950's New England, who felt obliged to obey the dictates of her family, religion and society and who suffered the loss of her own self-worth. It is a fascinating portrait of a woman who discovered her true self through her life threatening illness and literally willed herself well. The author is a 28 year breast cancer survivor. The book has recently been honored with an Arts and Excellence award from the Heal Breast Cancer Foundation, which is studying it as part of their research programs. The book is in the reading libraries of hospitals and the author has been a spokeswoman for The American Cancer Society and The Susan G. Komen Foundation. The author describes herself as "a classic breast cancer personality who became a classic breast cancer survivor." The book is a deeply personal and inspiring account of one woman's triumph over lessons of her past in order to recover her health and a joyful future. I recommend it highly.



2. Meg chose to violate her mother's privacy, and I give her mother cudo's for speaking out and defending herself. Like Meg, Susan chose to leave an unhappy marriage; Unlike Meg, she was not making millions of dollars, and I am sure had to make some choices based on survival. How many of our mothers had the choices that MEG has now, my mother sure did not. Life is not perfect; nor is anyone. I can only hope Meg can avoid the pain of losing a parent one day without saying goodbye, like I did. I think the other reviews on this page do not show any depth of character- but then again, movie stars are "perfect", right? History indeed does repeat itself; good luck Daisy.

No comments about Native American Doctor: The Story of Susan Laflesche Picotte (Trailblazer Biographies).

2 comments about Walking Like a Duck: The True Story of a Nurse Walking from Addiction to Recovery.

1. Having just discovered the depths of denial in my own addiction, I was enormously grateful to find a book that I could relate to. As an RN finding that Im not the only one, and that recovery and continuing to work as a nurse was still a possibility. Patty, in sharing her story, made it easier for me to accept my own addiction and keep me on the road to recovery and a life of joy that I didn't know was possible! Thanks for sharing Patty!!



2. Thank you Patricia for writing this book. Your courage to write your painful experience is beyond words. Addiction is a powerful disease.

No comments about Bearing Up with Cancer: Life, and living with.

1 comments about The Caring Physician: The Life of Dr. Francis W. Peabody (Boston Medical Library in the Countway Library of Medicine).

1. The Caring Physician, the story of Dr. Francis W. Peabody, was an inspiration to me. Dr. Peabody's professional life, e.g. how he grew into his role as an M.D., how seriously he regarded his responsibilites, and how he cared for his patients are essential messages for us in health-care today.

4 comments about Lifeliner: The Judy Taylor Story.

1. Book Review Lifeliner
   Lifeliner: The Judy Taylor Story
   By Shireen Jeejeebhoy
   ISBN: 978-0-595-44544-8
   Publisher: iUniverse ([...])
   Review By: Diana Rohini LaVigne, Indian Life & Style Magazine
   
   A compelling story about the history of the medical technology called Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and a tribute to the doctor, Dr. Jeejeebhoy who lead the first research and trials in this area. Written by the doctor's daughter, she carefully balances the story between the research components done by her father and a realistic look into the daily life of his first test subject, Judy Taylor who proved to be both brave and vulnerable at the same time.
   Although most of the story is told in layman's terms, some parts might prove challenging to non-medical staff without the use of the simple glossary at the back of the book. Personal interviews with those closest to Judy, correspondences sent by her and video and audio tapes of her fundraising and research activities come together in Lifeliner in an organized manner. Arranged in chronological order, readers are taken on the journey with Judy; experiencing her triumphs and her challenges. Reading it will make you laugh, smile, cringe, cry and most importantly, think.
   
   Once you finish the book, you will take stock of your own health and that of your family's. If you want inspiration, Lifeliner has no shortage packed into its pages. An excellent book to read and pass along to anyone from those interested in true stories, medical history and those interested in anything to do with health. Lifeliner isn't just a book, but a voyage about TPN, living with adversity and the power of human will.



2. "This is my third date with the knife," she jokes as she sees the surgical resident come in to prep her on the afternoon of October 21. "You ought to put a zipper in. It'd be much easier to unzip me when you want to play with my innards."
   
   Lifeliner is the amazing, unforgettable story of a young woman who becomes seriously ill at a young age and with the devoted care of her gastroenterologist survives for over twenty years.
   
   Judy Taylor was a woman of great courage and a natural fighter. She was also the first patient ever to be treated with in-home alternative feeding techniques and the first such patient to survive the longest. Lifeliner is Judy's story, but it is also the story of her devoted gastroenterologist, Dr. Jeejeebhoy, who improved upon early records of alterative feeding methods and created the Total Parenteral Nutrition system (TPN) and it's portable versions for home care. For this Dr. Jeejeebhoy was dubbed "King of TPN".
   
   Judy, trained in nursing, married with three young daughters was put on a new birth control pill in 1966 which caused the development of intestinal blood clots. These clots eventually led to the loss of her digestive system. Until then, this situation meant starvation and death, but with Dr Jeejeebhoy overseeing her care Judy became his test subject and survived long enough to be able to return home with a brand new home method of alternative feeding. Using this system Judy survived for over twenty years. For Judy this meant being a mother to her daughters, a wife to her husband and the opportunity to live life as she wanted.
   
   Jeejeebhoy, the doctor's daughter met Judy when her father was invited to a BBQ at Judy's home and was asked to bring his family. Knowing Judy personally enabled the author to contact people Judy knew and to produce a story that will live on for a very long time.
   
   Jeejeebhoy's style of writing sets the right pace as we follow Judy's medical difficulties. If you like reading about medical developments and down-to-earth humanitarian doctors and the relationships that develop between them and their patients, than this book is for you. It is truly a fascinating and eye-opening story which was well written.
   
   What I found especially entertaining was the nicknames Judy came up with for her devoted doctor -- Dr. Cowboy and Dr. JeeJee which she later shortened to Dr. Jeej. A very ill woman indeed but her sense of humor shines out throughout her ordeal. This is a must read for anyone suffering from a similar condition as well as any terminal illness that might require alternative feeding such as AIDS, some cancers, etc. If you want a book you can't put down, get Lifeliner into your hands, you're in for a wild ride with one awesome woman and the genius of a devoted doctor.



3. Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (2/08)
   
   "Lifeliner" tells the courageous story of Judy Taylor and her battle to survive after an illness forces the removal of most of her digestive system. Her illness began when she was approaching her mid-thirties. She and her husband were enjoying a good life while raising their three daughters in Toronto. When her illness strikes, Judy is introduced to Dr. Khursheed Jeejeebhoy. Dr. Jeejeebhoy is able to save Judy's life by developing an artificial feeding program called Total Parental Nutrition which is referred to as TPN. "Lifeliner" is written by the doctor's daughter.
   
   Judy was one of Dr. Jeejeebhoy's early patients; therefore, a lot of his success was based upon trial and error. For over twenty years they worked together. In enduring the trials, Judy had to undergo some painful and debilitating experiences. However, without these efforts, she would not have survived. Judy's husband provided her with a tremendous amount of love and support. It seemed like their special connection helped to give her the strength to get through the really rough packages. A side effect of this ordeal was how her illness affected her relationship with her children. It was very difficult for them to have to live with knowing that they could lose their mother at any time. This seriously affected them into their adulthood.
   
   Having been a pharmacy technician, in my younger days, at two hospitals on both coasts, I really appreciated learning the history of TPNs and about the amount of dedication and perseverance that led to their development. I knew that they were to help keep people alive, but did not fully understand their significance until I read "Lifeliner." The amount of time that it took pharmacists to make them in the 1980s to 1990s was nothing in comparison to the amount of time to put them together as they were being developed. This story is a must read for doctors, pharmacists and nurses.
   
   Judy's story in "Lifeliner" really touched my heart. Instead of giving up and allowing herself to succumb, Judy stuck it out. She did the best that she could to take care of her family. She kept her spirit strong and was an inspiration to others who were being introduced to TPNs. When she would go to the hospital for her checkups, she would take the time to go visit these patients and give them hope. Having been able to leave the hospital and take care of her feedings at home, showed them that they could get most of their lives back. Reading Judy's story also inspired me. During her story, she advises a friend not to take life for granted, and to make sure that she takes time to enjoy it. We all need to follow this advice, especially while we still have our health, so that we can be sure to enjoy life to its fullest.



4. Shireen Jeejeebhoy has written an extraordinary account of Judy Taylor and her fight for life starting in the 1970's when medical science was not as it is today. Ms. Jeejeebhoy is the daughter of Khursheed Jeejeebhoy who through trial and error provided groundbreaking research on long-term artificial feeding for patients who would otherwise die.
   
   Judy Taylor was diagnosed with a life threatening disease at the age of thirty-four. She could not eat life normal people could eat and without eating she would die. Most physicians and specialists she saw gave her no hope and recommended to her family that she be allowed to die. Judy would not let that happen-she wanted to live to be with her family and raise her daughters.
   
   When all medical specialists gave up, one man Dr. Khursheed Jeejeebhoy promised Judy he would keep her alive. Through trial and error and imagination he kept the promise.
   
   Ms. Jeejeebhoy's ability to write on such a tough subject amazed me, she was able to show compassion for the patient and family while at the same time provide credit to all the medical personnel that went above and beyond to help this patient. An amazing story about the extraordinary dedication of doctors who were willing to beat all odds, regardless of what others said.
   
   Initially I had some concerns regarding the writing in the earlier chapters, which described in detail Judy's medical complications. There were numerous medical terms that I felt the general public would not understand and it would deter them from finishing this incredible story. However, as one proceeds through the book the author began to explain the medical terms, which made for easier reading and understanding. This would be an excellent book for any family or patient to read who has the possibility of going through artificial long-term feedings.

No comments about Growing Up Again: Confronting My Diabetes.