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Summary: The Reality of Congenital Heart Disease
Review: 1 in 100 babies is born with a congenital heart defect! Did you know it was so many? My son, James, was born in 2003 with Transposition of the Great Arteries ... a fatal condition if not corrected. Michael Ruhlman's book tells the incredible story of a surgeon, a surgical unit, nursing staff, babies and parents ... going through the most harrowing, and extraordinary, open heart surgeries. This book pulls no punches ... the descriptions are quite graphic. Some of the doctors are great surgeons ... yet there are stories of others who you might not want to go anywhere near your child. If you are the parent of a CHD child ... read this book. You will cry, but you will celebrate the incredible advances these people have made in operation on tiny little hearts over the last 50 years - the last 10 - 20 years in particular.
Babies like my son used to die. All of them. Now they usually live, and live well.
Thanks, Michael Ruhlman, for taking me on another amazing journey!
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Summary: Insight Into Unfamiliar & Intense Medical Area
Review: A real fan of Ruhlman's previous books, I knew that this would make for good reading. Squeemish at times for those of us not use to inside O.R. environments with all the procedures and organs being talked about, this rivets one to pediatric heart surgery.Fashioned around a premier surgeon at a leading hospital, the reader is taken on a whirlwind of living on the edge of technology and skill and emotions as heart defects are diagnosed during pregnancy while others found at birth and thereafter are the daily routine of this top notch surgical team which Ruhlman lived with and writes about. One is touched by the intensity of the whole enterprise, the stark reality of it all, day after day, year after year. The enormity of it all. Patching this, switching that, shunting here, stiching this together---all to keep young precious life. The history of the discipline and current happenings are reviewed, with its emphasis on comparative mortality stats for various surgical procedures. Scary to think one's future might well be determined by where one lives and where taken when heart defects occur. The precision and dedication of those who live in this arena is beyond most of our scopes to even begin to fathom, but this book seems to take one there in spirit and interest. The compassionate care looms ever large. Thoughtful, provocative and reflective view of speciality surgery at the leading edge and all the while on edge.
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Summary: An amazing glimpse into the world of Peds Heart Surgery!
Review: As a pre-med student, I was immediately taken in by the vast use of medical terminology throughout this book. Yes, in some instances it did get repetitive from multiple explanations of the same heart defect, but in no way did that detract from the overall enjoyment and educational factors of this book. I was very pleased with the author for giving such an in-depth and gritty depiction of a great deal of issues I will be forced to face while pursuing a career in medicine. What really impressed me with this read was the way the author got into the mind of each specialist whether it was the jumpy/inexperienced senior resident, the calm and calculating cardiac nurse, or the highly stressed anesthesiologist; all of which comprised the ultimate team to support the lead surgeon to a successful operation. Even now (after finishing the book awhile ago) I find myself looking up the current exploits of Dr. Mee and more information on the specialty of cardiology itself. Though mundane at times with overemphasis on mortality figures (which as the author even mentions himself are easily manipulated), I still found this book a thoroughly entertaining read. And to parents out there with children plagued by congenital heart disease, this book is a MUST READ. Even as a future doctor, there are some things all the medical training in the world will not prepare you for and by reading this book, I believe I am much better equipped to handle such dilemmas.
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Summary: INTRUING AND EDUCATIONAL BOOK
Review: As one who is very interested in physiology, I think this book was a godsend. Mr Ruhlman managed to inject life into a serious subject like the heart and I felt the best part from him was describing the patients, followed by the illness. It is a highly recommended read for all who want to gain erudition for a layman in congential heart diseases.
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Summary: I am one of "those" parents...
Review: Dr. Mee has operated on our daughter two times now and a third operation (and possible transplant) is in her future. I will tell you that the Cleveland Clinic was not our first choice, however, I am greatful that Dr. Mee ended up being our daughter's surgeon in the end. I was not shocked by what I read because I have been in the care of everyone mentioned in the book. What I would have liked to read were more personal stories and less technical stuff. Although, personal stories was not what the book was intended for so I don't fault the author at all. As it turns out, our second opinion at the Clinic included a "sit in" by this author... who knows, maybe our story would have been told. At the time, however, we decided to stay with University Hospitals. Little did we know that their then surgeon would quit right before our little Sophia was to be operated on (she was the next case!) Read the book, if you are not a parent of a CHD child, you won't appreciate it as much. If you are expecting a CHD child in your life, the book will scare the hell out of you until your first trip down that long hallway to the O.R. Once you have walked your child to surgery... you no longer have a sense of fear for anything as their is no greater fear. Laura in Cleveland
Rating:
Summary: I am one of "those" parents...
Review: Dr. Mee has operated on our daughter two times now and a third operation (and possible transplant) is in her future. I will tell you that the Cleveland Clinic was not our first choice, however, I am greatful that Dr. Mee ended up being our daughter's surgeon in the end. I was not shocked by what I read because I have been in the care of everyone mentioned in the book. What I would have liked to read were more personal stories and less technical stuff. Although, personal stories was not what the book was intended for so I don't fault the author at all. As it turns out, our second opinion at the Clinic included a "sit in" by this author... who knows, maybe our story would have been told. At the time, however, we decided to stay with University Hospitals. Little did we know that their then surgeon would quit right before our little Sophia was to be operated on (she was the next case!) Read the book, if you are not a parent of a CHD child, you won't appreciate it as much. If you are expecting a CHD child in your life, the book will scare the hell out of you until your first trip down that long hallway to the O.R. Once you have walked your child to surgery... you no longer have a sense of fear for anything as their is no greater fear. Laura in Cleveland
Rating:
Summary: Exciting even for someone living it.
Review: I found the book an exciting read and helpful even for me, a practicing pediatric intensivist. I can't wait to read it again and underline some thoughts. I can not emphasize enough how helpful this book is for someone interested in medicine and health care delivery in this country. If you ever wonder whether it is worthwhile for our society to compensate doctors so well (although I can guarantee that Dr. Mee is not even in the same ballpark as a Roger Clemens or a Jason Kidd when it comes to salary) and for healthcare to cost so much this book will give you a reality check. If you ever wonder why we need to keep the predatory lawyers in check so that surgeons like Dr. Mee can continue to practice their craft, this book will give you a reality check. Wake up America, we are not making cupcakes around here. We are delivering the best health care in the world!
Rating:
Summary: took me back
Review: I had a personal stake in reading the book: Dr. Mee did surgery on my son several years ago. Anyone who has been through serious health experiences with their children will find this book gripping. I daresay even thouse who haven't been through such an experience will find the book hard to put down due to the excellent portraits of both medical personnel and families of patients.
Rating: 
Summary: Insightful...but a warning about the profanity
Review: I, too, am one of those parents who are living this life. My son has had 3 open heart surgeries to correct his congenital heart condition (HLHS). Therefore, I was eagerly waiting to read this book. While the book was insightful, I was dismayed by the amount of profanity the author used. I realize this is "real life", but it seemed that if a doctor, nurse, or anyone else the author interviewed used any type of profanity, he or she was quoted in the book. I found that disappointing. I read the reviews before purchasing this book, and this aspect was never mentioned. I thought a warning should be given to those who are considering purchasing this book and would find this offensive. I know I did.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful...but a warning about the profanity
Review: I, too, am one of those parents who are living this life. My son has had 3 open heart surgeries to correct his congenital heart condition (HLHS). Therefore, I was eagerly waiting to read this book. While the book was insightful, I was dismayed by the amount of profanity the author used. I realize this is "real life", but it seemed that if a doctor, nurse, or anyone else the author interviewed used any type of profanity, he or she was quoted in the book. I found that disappointing. I read the reviews before purchasing this book, and this aspect was never mentioned. I thought a warning should be given to those who are considering purchasing this book and would find this offensive. I know I did.
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