A HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS (2022) - Review

A History of Present Illness by Anna DeForest
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
On Sale: August 16, 2022

FIRST SENTENCE: "All this happened, more or less."

Intending to read the first sentence or two, instead I continued on to the end. I'm still not sure what to make of Anna DeForest's first novel "A History of Present Illness". Who is the audience for this literate book composed of short, well-crafted sentences that reads like a memoir? (Descriptions and some discussions could be disturbing.)

Someone suggested that only those involved in medicine would appreciate such a book, but my fascination was with how my life has changed since I was swept up in that world as a patient. Now I have the other side of the story. Now I have some insight. Now I can put together a history of my own present illness.

Following an unnamed narrator through her first year as a medical student, her random thoughts are like listening to a friend tell you what defines life. The humor is macabre and subtle. I'm thinking I will need to read this again if only to revisit the many sections I highlighted. There is so much to think about, so much to absorb.

DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-copy of "A History of Present Illness" by Anna DeForest from NetGalley/Little, Brown & Company for my honest review.

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SPARE PARTS (2022) - Review

Spare Parts: The Story of Medicine Through the History of Transplant Surgery by Paul Craddock
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
On sale: May 10, 2022

Subtitled "The Story of Medicine Through the History of Transplant Surgery", first-time author Paul Craddock's "Spare Parts" is an amazing accomplishment. From the sixteenth century onward, he has shared the story of medicine through transplantation and how it evolved.

You'd think this would be a boring read, but instead it is absolutely fascinating. Written in an accessible style, some of it is gruesome, some funny, and some awe inspiring. Starting with skin in 1550 through Heart 1967 with projections on transplant future, there are surprises on every page. Most significant to me was the number of people over the years who contributed to making transplant a reality.

Alexis Carrel (1873 - 1944) is considered the 'father of transplant surgery' and yet today is mostly forgotten. One of his challenges was finding a better way to repair blood vessels. He took lessons from Marie-Anne Leroudier, one of Lyon's finest embroiderers. With her help he was able to further modify the technique which is considered the basis for today's vascular surgery "including bypass surgery".

The prologue, which describes a kidney transplant operation, was particularly of interest. The first successful one was performed in 1954 between twin brothers and doesn't seem that long ago. (I received a kidney November 7, 2019 from a deceased donor and will be forever grateful.)

Like any well-researched work, there are illustrations, notes, index, and an extensive selected bibliography. You can read "Spare Parts" without reference to them, which I did, but if you want to dig deeper, everything you need is there.

BOTTOM LINE: Highly recommended.

Many thanks to the author, NetGalley, and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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COMPLICATIONS (2003)

Subtitled: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff 
My Rating: 4 out of 5 

Complications was re-recorded in 2020 in abridged and unabridged format with two different narrators. Audible lets you listen to a bit of each version before deciding which reader you prefer. Both seemed acceptable but I decided on Robert Petkoff before realizing he reads the unabridged book which was what I wanted anyway. It was a good choice.

 

The book is amazing. After being on dialysis, having a kidney transplant, and a few minor surgeries in the last few years, I appreciated the explanations of things I had experienced but not understood.

 

In three sections named Fallibility, Mystery, and Uncertainty, Gawande describes the education of surgeons, advancements in medicine, difficult diagnoses, and some fascinating (and disturbing) cases.

We always hear the joke that doctors are 'only practicing' when things go wrong. Actually Gawande explains that perfection takes practice and the "constant relearning of new techniques and technologies" and the result is that residents get practice and doctors get information but no practice.

 

A topic I found interesting was Morbidity and Mortality (M&M), regularly scheduled meetings where doctors take personal responsibility by discussing what they could or should have done differently. All surgeons make mistakes. Maybe you don't want to know that.

 

A smooth reading of a well written insider's view of today's medicine. Highly recommended.

 

Published: July 21st 2020 by Macmillan Audio

Unabridged Audiobook: Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Author:Atul Gawande

Narrator: Robert Petkoff

ASIN: B089YWG316

Complications was a 2002 National Book Award finalist for nonfiction. You can read more about Atul Gawande at his website.