Wow! Chasing My Cure was in interesting read I’m still trying to wrap my head around. I have multiple rare diseases (or perhaps one overarching and yet unnamed, this tends to be my personal theory) and while very different from the author’s my own are also very life threatening and life limiting. As a result, I find myself drawn to medical and illness related memoirs and this one really stood out for me.

I think I like these sorts of books because I’m always looking for people who are like me, who have ventured deep within the kingdom of the sick and found the words to describe experiences that aren’t ever easy to describe. In this book, our author, David, is in medical school when he gets sick so he has a deep knowledge base and an intellectual understanding of illness that as he finds out, doesn’t remotely prepare one for how it is to actually be the one in the hospital bed suffering and fighting for your life. David was also unusually fit and athletic and from a sports based background. I ended up really enjoying his many sports based metaphors to describe his experiences because they knew were new to me yet managed to make sense (and I’m someone so deeply entrenched in the arts I ended up at a fine and performing arts school growing up that didn’t even have a gym or sports teams!). I think it speaks to the author’s strength as a writer that even I could relate to and understand his metaphors!

I also especially appreciated the point of view, someone who like me had illness come crashing down at them in the prime of their life, who has had their toes over the edge of mortality, and who must live daily with an awareness of their lifespan that most 20 & 30-somethings don’t. Yet to marvel at times at our very survival. David never shies away from all the complex realities of going from such youthful health to near death. It’s painful to read how he pushes away loved ones for fear of them seeing and remembering him so sick. But all of this is so real, and the type of things I think sometimes get rushed over in other disease memoirs. And unlike cancer memoirs or other such stories of illness, the thing about rare and chronic diseases is there is no cure and it doesn’t go away. You live everyday knowing you probably do not have much time. It’s not often I find people who can relate and rarer still for me to read about it, and to see it told so well.

I think it’s very interesting to read how being in medical school and having that background shapes the author’s experiences and his approach to coping with his disease. He definitely has a lot more privilege than many of us in the rare disease world, especially those of us who developed our illnesses at a young age, prior to finishing degrees, starting careers, or finding partners and starting families. That privilege is important to discuss because I’m unsure everyone could do all David has. Yet with that said, I find it truly commendable that he took his privilege and the uniqueness of his experiences and background as a medical student and then doctor, and started a foundation for his disease, Castleman’s, that not only helped bring patients together and support them when there was such limited literature or research out there for those patients to even know what to expect, but he also goes on to do a great deal of promising research and to even find a treatment to help keep his disease at bay. It’s truly stunning what he is able to do and not just for himself or even other Castleman’s disease patients, but to kind of shake up the research world and how rare diseases are studied.

Because the author comes from a medical background I would also mention this book may not be for everyone. It does go quite in depth into medical details and specifics. For rare disease patients, even those of without formal medical training, we do often have to become our own experts and I didn’t personally find the medical detail off-putting nor do I think other patients or medical folks will. I do think it might be a bit heavy for a casual reader, however, and feel that’s important to mention.

Dr. David Fajgenbaum tells and is living an incredible story, one that is well worth reading. And more than general inspirational novel, I think the book’s greatest strength is showing the rest of us unlucky enough to also have rare diseases (something that collectively is not rare at all) how much power we have to network and connect and fight for our diseases as well. I would most especially recommend this book to other patients and also to doctors and researchers focused on rare disease. I genuinely look forward to seeing what Dr. Fajgenbaum accomplishes in the future and wish him as many full years as possible.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for allowing me access to an advanced review copy of this book and a special thanks to the author, himself, for inspiring this rather jaded rare disease patient as well!

An insightful look at battling diseases that have difficulty being pinpointed because of their insidious ness and makeup, so when one of these diseases hits an up and coming doctor who had also had his mother die of brain cancer when he was in college, he was ready to put science in his corner to figure it out.

He ends up with a name and marker number and longer periods of remissions that will likely have an impact not only on his disease but others. A mix of other medical biographies of this sort, it’s a good read.

Chasing My Cure by David Fajgenbaum is a truly inspirational memoir.

An accomplished individual by any standard, David is struck down by a medical enigma just as he is poised to make his dream of become a doctor a reality. From medical student, to patient, to advocate, Fajgenbaum shares his ongoing quest for a cure.

Chasing My Cure chronicles Fajgenbaum's diagnosis of Castleman disease, including his helplessness at learning of a lack of treatment options. Inspired to action, he revolutionizes the research process for rare diseases as he chases a cure.

Although I struggled with some of the more detailed medical aspects of his studies, I still appreciated the passion and laser focus Fajgenbaum committed to every component of his life. I have learned a great deal about orphan diseases and medical research. I certainly have a greater appreciation for those behind the scenes who dedicate their lives to saving ours.

David Fajgenbaum embodies resilience. I think his mother would be please by the the silver linings he has created.

Not quite what I was looking for. His narrative drifts off sometimes. Maybe I'm just not the right reader. DNF.

If I were in this situation would I be willing to work as hard as he did to save my life? When no one could give him answers about the illness he was battling he began to do his own research. Such an inspiring and motivating story. Though it was technical at times all of this needs to be shared to understand this story.
I received a copy from netgalley and the publisher and I am thankful to have been allowed to read this digital copy.

I am always a big fan of real-life, medical mystery stories and this one does not disappoint. David Fajgenbaum takes the reader on a story of his life: his childhood with hyper-focus ADD, falling in love, his years in college and medical school, his mother's death, and ultimately his devastating diagnosis of Castleman disease. We go on the exploration with David as he tries to hunt down not only a diagnosis, but treatment, institutions, cure regimens, experimentation, you name it. At times he gets a little stuck in the weeds with the biology of it (admittedly, I occasionally skipped the super scientific stuff!), but he always brings it back to real life and what he experience as a patient. This is an outstanding book to give the medical student in your life, or the person who like me, just loves this kind of real world mystery. Thanks to Net Galley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Although I love science, this was at times an overwhelming amount of medical information. But it is all the more to Dr. Fajgenbaum's credit that he could keep so many balls in the air at the same time, all while facing his own looming death! We can stand in awe and gratitude for such people, those who push through their own suffering in hopes of a cure that will not only save their own life, but potentially save the lives of so many others. Where he found the energy and determination to carry on throughout such a debilitating illness is beyond my comprehension. I wish the author great health and success!

David Fajgenbaum was a young physician in training when he became gravely ill. No one could figure out what was wrong. His organs were failing. He had a mystery disease and death was almost a certainty. He survived and went into remission many times and he soon realized the medical community did not know how to diagnose or treat his mysterious illness. Being a highly intelligent young physician he studied his own labs and symptoms and took on this little known disease to find the right drugs and treatments. Castleman disease is rare and there is still much to learn but Dr. Fajgenbaum is continuing to make progress.
I did find this memoir to be interesting as it dealt with his own personal experiences as he became ill and almost died many times. He is dedicated and a real inspiration. The book is a bit technical at times but definitely a worthwhile read.

David Fajgenbaum's book is about what can happen when you are so sick that you almost die five different times, but the doctors don't really understand what you have or how to treat it. Luckily for Fajgenbaum, he was in his last year of medical school while this was all happening to him, and he had the resources, skills, drive, and connections to try to do something about it.

My own child has a life-shortening illness with some treatments but no cure, so I could relate to a lot of what he wrote about the medical profession and how many in the field think doctors shouldn't be questioned. I'm guessing the author was a lot less calm and accepting than he lets on when the doctors he assembled as the so-called "experts" on Castleman's told him that he was over-reaching.

While personally, the beginning part describing his life before and his illness was a bit too long for me -- I was most interested in reading about the how of what he accomplished for research and treatment for his disease -- I'm probably an outlier there. I thought the science and creating collaboration across researchers were the most interesting parts, and I really hope that this book draws the interest and fundraising push that I'm sure the author was hoping for so that he can continue to push research and find even better treatments that work for even more patients.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free arc. It has not influenced my review.

I had not heard of Castlemans disease prior to this book.
Horrible disease, robs a person of life literally by causing organ failure. This young man came so close to death so many times...all while doctors were trying to figure out what he had and how to treat it.
He was fortunate enough to have enough education ( med school ) and terrific people supporting him that he eventually was able to research ON HIS OWN to try and figure this disease process and cure potential. Now there is a foundation run by he and several others that combine research for this disease from doctors and patients from around the world. They are always comparing symptoms and results from treatments that have worked and have not. Trying to find a cure.
I do not pretend to understand all he writes about DNA and genomes and so on. What I did REALLY understand is that until his foundation, most research was done independent of other for all diseases...so I might be looking for a cure for, say ear mites....and you might be too....BUT I PROBABLY DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING...so we both could be studying the same thing and wasting money and time on our research..
Please read this book. It gives hope, and illuminates the whole process of medicine.
By the way...Young man is still alive and still searching for a cure.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, what a story. It was really interesting to learn about a disease that I had never heard of, but what made this story was his perspective as a patient, a doctor, and a researcher. It was incredible to hear what he went through until they could even find a diagnosis and then in search of a cure. I was so inspired by his determination and hard work to learn all he could about this disease and to hopefully find a cure for it. David is a very smart man and is going to be a great benefit to the medical field through his personal experience and his drive. He constantly seeks out all the information and knowledge he can gather while continually searching for innovative and further ways to use that knowledge to benefit many. He had to go through a hard debilitating illness, but it is obvious that the experience made him grow and will be a great benefit to many around the world.

As a current pharmacy student I could really relate to Fajgenbaum. I remember what it was like to see my first patient and then help my first patient. I have also had the unfortunate experience of being the patient, where no one knows what is wrong. I remember the first time I was in the hospital, so many tests were being run and I looked up at the wall and thought to myself “I’m going to die”. This was the single most terrifying and relieving moment of my life. I was 18 and couldn’t believe I was going to die, but then if I did die the pain would be gone. Eventually the doctors did figure out what was wrong with me and I'm currently being treated. I really connected with Fajgenbaum where he felt like he was the patient but also had to be his own doctor. He is so relatable to me personally but there are a lot of in-depth medical topics that he discussed. I feel like he breaks them down in a way that someone who isn't in the medical field is able to understand. I think that if you are in the medical field this book is a must read! You get to see a perspective of a doctor who's also a patient, but a human first of all. He talks about his personal life, his relationship with his mother and we get to see him fight Castleman disease. He is also an advocate for himself and others. Fajgenbaum made me laugh out loud at times, and others I felt his pain. You see how passionate he is about curing this disease and I have no doubt that in the future he will find a way to cure himself and others.

Prior to reading this book, I hadn't heard of Castleman's disease. I found this to be a powerful, engaging memoir. Dr. Faigenbaum's search for survival and a cure is encouraging, in relation to himself, as well as the hope he's brought to others suffering from this disease. It brings hope to those suffering from other long-term illnesses and diseases, too. His determination was truly inspiring, and it made this book hard to put down.

Very interesting and held my attention throughout. The author writes extremely well and the organization of the story told of the events and experiences in a poignant, meaningful way. Very well written and worth your time if you enjoy medical memoirs. The style evokes emotions and is overall well told.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book to read and review at my option.

Chasing the Cure us a book that will teach you, and leave you more empathic toward your fellow man. I was hooked into following this young mans journey from the first page. I am so glad I read this book.

Fans of books like Being Mortal and When Breath Becomes Air will definitely want to read Chasing My Cure. I love reading a book that can move me, teach me, and leave me a more compassionate person then when I started it. You can’t help but be affected by this book, and I know it will touch your heart as it did mine. You can pick up your copy September 10th.
Chasing My Cure is written by David Fajgenbaum and the book is about his journey with a life threatening medical condition. David was a medical student in the prime of his life ready to take his medical exams and start his career when something went wrong. A kind of tired struck him like he’s never felt, sweat from head to toe, whole system shutting down, as a doctor David knew something was gravely wrong. Rushed to the ICU the doctors could not figure out what was causing David’s illness, and after months in the hospital in critical condition David was saying his goodbyes to his love ones. The end was near, and then it wasn’t. Without a real diagnosis David’s medical team tried steroid treatments, chemotherapy, clinical trials all with short term affects. Like many of us have had to do David took his own health into his hands and started scouring the internet looking for answers. At this point he wasn’t a doctor; he was a man who wanted a future and a cure.
Chasing a Cure follows David’s personal journey and how he was able to put a name to the vicious disease that was attaching his body and stealing his future. Whether you’ve struggled with an illness or had a family member searching for answers, this book really gives you hope that if persistent you can get the answers you deserve. You are your best advocate and never take no for an answer.

I enjoy reading about extraordinary individuals and about medical/scientific advancements, and this inspiring book delivers both! It also shows that a lot can be accomplished when you don't give up. Dr. Fajgenbaum helped his own health (and the health of other Castleman's patients) in this amazing and inspiring true story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes reading medical stories.

When I first started reading Chasing My Cure by David Fajgenbaum, I was a little skeptical. It seemed a little too technical for a memoir to me. But the more I read, the more I was pulled into his story. The ups and downs, the breakthroughs and falling apart - his story had my heart all over the place. Fajgenbaum managed to convey his story in a way that shows both the negative and positive sides of the medical system and what can be done to improve the lives of many. His fight to save not only himself but also others is so inspirational. I'm so glad I pushed through the beginning because it was definitely worth it.

This book was so very interesting. A young doctor comes down with a rare disease (Castleman). His search for a cure for himself really held my interest. I highly recommend this medical memoir.

David Fajgenbaum seemed to have a charmed life. He had a loving and supportive family and a close knit group of friends. He’d been the state champion weight lifter in high school, was the quarterback of the Georgetown University football team, had graduated magna cum laude, and was dating the girl of his dreams.

But when his mother died of brain cancer, his grief was overwhelming. He decided that he would pursue a career in medicine and help find a cure for cancer. Then fate dealt him another blow when, during his second year of medical school, he was suddenly hospitalized with a rare illness that has no cure. In fact, very little information was available for doctors to help treat him. He was experiencing extreme pain and multiple organ failure.

In this riveting and powerful memoir, doctor David Fajgenbaum tells his remarkable story. His incredible will to survive propelled him to literally take charge of his care. He survived his initial bout with Castleman’s disease only to relapse more than five times in a three year period. He began to relentlessly search for a cure. His approach to research and collaboration has brought some significant improvements in the treatment of the disease, and has brought hope to sufferers of Castleman’s. To this day, Dr. Fajgenbaum lives with the prospect of relapse and the shadow of death from Castleman’s disease.

I could not put this book down! It is a story of courage, love of family, enduring friendships, perseverance against all odds, and the determination to make the most of life, to make life better for others, and to be invincible in hope.

Chasing My Cure is an outstanding, inspiring book that you won’t soon forget.

Thank you to Net Galley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books, and Dr. David Fajgenbaum for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing and unforgettable book.