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blumoongirl's review
3.0
I think I’m just too jaded as a nurse with 25+ years to be overly sympathetic. Some of the situation‘s in this book almost seem like they’re being handled by a non-Layperson as opposed to a seasoned nurse. I suppose it could be because of the shock of the situation.
Despite the POV the writing is excellent and there are a lot of facts about breast cancer that I don’t think I had ever heard before.
Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC
#Netgalley
Despite the POV the writing is excellent and there are a lot of facts about breast cancer that I don’t think I had ever heard before.
Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC
#Netgalley
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
4.0
I struggled a little bit at first to really get started with this book. Something about the author’s voice just wasn’t really working for me. The further I got though, the more invested I felt in this book. It has a really interesting structure where each chapter seems to have its own theme. The book does somewhat follow the timeline of her diagnosis and treatment but it did skip back and forth just a bit here and there depending on what the theme of the chapter was.
This book felt really well researched. I’ve noted down several articles and books I want to read in the future that were mentioned here. It was interesting to see how someone that has worked in the health care industry for years now experienced it as a patient rather than a provider. Sadly, her experience was rather rough through much of it but it made for an interesting analysis for this book. It was also interesting to hear about the negatives of the industry from both the patient as well as the provider side as neither seems to really get the care and support they should.
Aside from the analysis of the industry, she also made other interesting connections between various topics and her life, her health, and her profession. I was really absorbed in the book over the last two days and will be adding the rest of her books to my TBR as well.
This book felt really well researched. I’ve noted down several articles and books I want to read in the future that were mentioned here. It was interesting to see how someone that has worked in the health care industry for years now experienced it as a patient rather than a provider. Sadly, her experience was rather rough through much of it but it made for an interesting analysis for this book. It was also interesting to hear about the negatives of the industry from both the patient as well as the provider side as neither seems to really get the care and support they should.
Aside from the analysis of the industry, she also made other interesting connections between various topics and her life, her health, and her profession. I was really absorbed in the book over the last two days and will be adding the rest of her books to my TBR as well.
ldrenea's review against another edition
4.0
This is a must read for all healthcare workers. We all can get caught up in our daily tasks and sometimes forget how the patient or their family may feel, I know I have. This book helps to see the patient and will stick with me for a long time.
braddy7's review
4.0
This was a pretty quick read. I deeply appreciated her discussion of compassion.
angiew23's review
5.0
Another great memoir from a fantastic writer and most likely an even more amazing nurse! I have read two of Theresa’s other books, and loved them both so I was very excited (and also very worried) when I found out that she was working on another book, this time about her own journey as a patient. Theresa is an oncology and hospice nurse who tells the stories of her patients beautifully and with dignity and respect. The details she includes demonstrate her care for her patients as well as her masterful understanding of her nursing practice. In this memoir she ties her nursing experiences in with her experiences as a cancer patient. She takes the reader on an emotional journey throughout the course of her diagnosis, tests and procedures, surgeries, treatment, healing and the ongoing physical and emotional recovery which will continue likely for the rest of her life. Theresa also includes many life lessons and personal details that were less prominent in her other books, I enjoyed learning more about her family and life as well as the medical and health care stories which I loved from the first two books. I also think that the unique perspective of the health care system from someone who has spent significant time on the other side, is a valuable addition to this book which validated patients’ feelings as they navigate a challenging system, often with little understanding of their rights and what they can expect. If you’ve read her other books you should definitely read the latest instalment, and if you haven’t had a chance, but enjoy medical memoirs as much as I do, definitely give this a try! I’m incredibly grateful to have been given the chance to read this book through Netgalley, and with the support of the publisher.
bookslifeandeverythingnice's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley, Algonquin Books and Theresa Brown for an ARC audiobook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.
Trigger warning: cancer, medical treatment
Like:
- As someone who lives with chronic illness (not cancer) I sadly can relate to the author’s frustrations, brain fog, fatigue and not feeling like her herself. For feeling grateful for what she has and what she can do, but still frustrated and grieving the losses that illness brings. She perfectly explains how this feels.
- Quick read; it’s the perfect length book for the topic and writing style
Love:
- The author: I’ve read her previous book about nursing and really enjoyed that one, so that’s the reason I chose to read this book. Doesn’t disappoint either!
- Written by someone who has seen both sides: as a healthcare professional and as a patient. Gives her a unique perspective about the ways that healthcare fails, succeeds and could be improved to better help patients.
Wish that:
- More healthcare systems and providers showed that they cared and also made a point to consider patient’s feelings and needs beyond the physical medical treatment
Dislike:
- Nothing, except that I wish that no one had to suffer with cancer or any other illness.
Overall, another wonderful, informative and relatable book by this author. The world needs more of her kindness, knowledge and advocacy. Thank you to Theresa Brown for your positive contributions to the healthcare system, patients, medical staff and more. Highly recommend this book.
Trigger warning: cancer, medical treatment
Like:
- As someone who lives with chronic illness (not cancer) I sadly can relate to the author’s frustrations, brain fog, fatigue and not feeling like her herself. For feeling grateful for what she has and what she can do, but still frustrated and grieving the losses that illness brings. She perfectly explains how this feels.
- Quick read; it’s the perfect length book for the topic and writing style
Love:
- The author: I’ve read her previous book about nursing and really enjoyed that one, so that’s the reason I chose to read this book. Doesn’t disappoint either!
- Written by someone who has seen both sides: as a healthcare professional and as a patient. Gives her a unique perspective about the ways that healthcare fails, succeeds and could be improved to better help patients.
Wish that:
- More healthcare systems and providers showed that they cared and also made a point to consider patient’s feelings and needs beyond the physical medical treatment
Dislike:
- Nothing, except that I wish that no one had to suffer with cancer or any other illness.
Overall, another wonderful, informative and relatable book by this author. The world needs more of her kindness, knowledge and advocacy. Thank you to Theresa Brown for your positive contributions to the healthcare system, patients, medical staff and more. Highly recommend this book.
blvntbaby's review
3.5
3.5 stars, this was good, i picked it up as my sister is going through a pending diagnosis of possibly leukemia, and i guess this is how i cope.
cateabrajano's review
I had to read this book for school. I thought that this book was going to be more about this nurses’ experience as an oncology patient after she experienced being an oncology nurse. Some chapters were about this, which I loved. Other chapters were more statistical and less relevant to what I thought the plot was. To me, it was kind of all over the place and I just couldn’t get into it.