This memoir is written by Lorena Junco Margain and tells the unfortunate story of a surgeons catastrophic mistake that changes the course of her life forever. She learns while pregnant that she has a tumor on her adrenal gland. She undergoes surgery, hoping to come out with a clean bill of health, but the opposite happens. The surgeon accidentally removes the wrong gland, and this leaves her in worse condition than she was prior to the surgery. The effects and permanent and will life changing. As she struggles with her new reality and grapples with how to continue living in her new “normal”. She chooses forgiveness instead of bitterness and hatred, which is so inspiring. It was a truly beautiful story! It would make a good book club read as there would be a lot to discuss. Overall great book and I would recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley + Cuco Press for the ARC.

This is a short and poignant memoir that is full of emotion. Lorena's approach to life, art, and love are evident throughout her story. I don't know that many would've handled her situation in the same way, but her story is one that we can all learn from. For a debut author, I do hope that she taps into this artistic side of herself and writes more as this is written beautifully.

"This is a love story, so it begins inside and moves outward, the way both love and stories do, the way art does, and babies, too. All these precious things are invisible at first, hidden within, but impossible to contain. They grow, take on lives of their own, and go out into an unpredictable world, where good intentions occasionally meet with disaster."

I usually listen to memoirs on audiobook, but I really appreciated reading a copy of this one - the language stood out to me more than I think it would have had I listened to it. Though "On the Way to Casa Lotus" is relatively short, Lorena Junco Margain manages to really capture and convey her character to the reader. Her story is awful to read about, but the way it was told and what she learned/took from it was inspiring. I hope she writes more in the future because I really enjoyed her writing.

short and to the point. Enjoyed learning about Lorena's journey - its sad that she had to go through something we'd never think could happen to us when we put trust in the medical professionals. Quick read and enjoyable

Lorena Junco Margain writes about part of her journey, and I was amazed that this was her debut book. The story flows like the journey she has lived. I could feel the struggles with the pain while everyone said it was nothing, the strength she had to go through all that she went through, and the calmness, after she made the decision she had to do what was right for her.
The book is so well written, told by everything she went through, and she writes with truth, honesty, and it is part of her healing process.
I received an ARC from Cuco Press through NetGalley.

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. I admire Lorena, he is such a strong woman and she has been through so much. After a doctor's mistake that changes her life forever, she finds a way to get past it and move on with her life. This is a story filled with love, loss, family and forgiveness. If you enjoy stories that teach you how to be better, you should read Lorena's story. I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

On the Way to Casa Lotus is Lorena Juna Margain memoir of family, art, injury and forgiveness. It is her story of a botched surgery and the loss of bodily functions and sense of self after a surgeon, who she trusted, makes a fundamental error. She suffers through so much pain and unknowing until she finally learns the truth of what happened to her and only then can she slowly begin to heal.
The question of healing is not only physical but mental and you ask yourself to what lengths will you go for peace and forgiveness. Margain takes us along her journey of forgiveness. She has a beautiful voice; she tells her story as telling it to a friend so we too can learn as she did. Margain could be bitter but takes a very kind approach to her situation she reminds us to be compassionate.



Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars! Could you forgive the doctor that performed your botched surgical procedure? This book examines that question. It was an easy read in the sense that the story really flowed well so I read it quickly. If only we all could exhibit the same compassion that the author does!

It’s hard to remember a memoir read recently that I enjoyed as much as this one - this book had me totally engrossed; scribbling and highlighting notes and phrases I wanted to remember; my heart vacillating between horror at what the author endured, rage at the flaws in a system that allowed it, and underneath it all, such a pure and clean lesson of hope, optimism and resilience that I literally felt “lifted” as I closed in on the last few pages, - those featuring the heartwarming (and heartbreaking) shots of the author and her family.

“There are moments that change everything, and there are moments that change our perception of everything.”

Lenora Junco is an artist, a mother, a wife and a member of a large and loving Mexican-American extended family. Life is blessed for the Juncos as they leave Mexico and settle in Austin, Texas. It’s clear that Lenora, vitally and compassionately entrenched in family life and her immersive art projects, has much to be grateful for.

All that changes, horrifically and suddenly, as Lenora battles mysterious health issues that escalate beyond a level any one of us should have to endure. Lenora’s journey to understanding - that is, the rational dawning of the reality of her physical situation, as it evolves (or, more accurately devolves) - is so hard to imagine as a reader; so appalling in it’s impact, and so terrifyingly close and possible to each of us, in our own lives.

What elevates this book to the extraordinary, however, is the inner emotional and spiritual journey we are also privy to; Lenora’s quest to “curate”, (to draw together and make whole), a renewed life and understanding “forged with intent”; a life that will allow her to accept, forgive, release, and build upon her deep-rooted optimism and resilience which, incredibly, has survived her ordeal and now awaits re-kindling.

“If you don’t have mud, the Lotus won’t manifest. You can’t grow Lotus flowers on marble”.

“This is the essence of enlightenment - understanding that perception is power”.

I read this book, as noted by the author, with love and gratitude. It’s a remarkable story and one that, once read, cannot help but make your life richer - in all the ways that really matter.

A great big thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

It was heartbreaking to read of the hardship the author experienced after surgery in which her surgeon removed her healthy adrenal gland. Junco Margain was able to find a specialized surgeon who was able to remove her adrenal tumor while sparing what remained of her adrenal gland. It was inspiring to read how as she slowly adjusted to life post surgery, she was able to forgive the first surgeon.

This book attracted me due to the theme of forgiveness. I've just divorced after a lengthy and acrimonious divorce process and was looking for some insight. The author had botched surgery and will have life-long medical problems. She chooses to forgive her unrepentant surgeon afterwards. I disagreed with her decision.

I think the problem with forgiveness is people define it differently much like the concept of God varies enormously depending on who you ask. The author did a nice job detailing her physical and mental issues before and after the surgery. But I found her repetitive when describing her family dynamics. I'm glad I read the book and recommend it.

Having just finished reading On the way to Casa Lotus I have to share that it was a profoundly impactful book. I am in the medical field and and realize that although errors happen, I found her desire to turn a harmful event into a lesson for all. The author’s story of a medical mistake in the surgery theatre, and the way it changed her life forever is hard to read, but the outcome is joyous and very human.

Physicians make mistakes, and the doctor in this memoir made a damaging mistake. On The Way To Casa Lotus is a philosophical memoir, written by the patient. The health of this young woman was almost destroyed by a surgeon, with no explanation or apology by the doctor. However, as the author says “The road paved with forgiveness leads to healing”. Just two years after my bilateral mastectomy, it was hard for me to read this book. But, it was extremely honest and forthright.

Wow, what an extraordinary human being. I don’t know that I am capable of this forgiveness but this book inspires me to search to find out.

This is a fairly short book just shy of 200 pages which recounts a harrowing and life-altering experience of a young woman having a botched surgery. The author is Mexican born and fled her country for the USA in 2008. She is an art collector and appears to have some means because she questioned whether to sue the surgeon, as for her it wasn't about the money. She is lucky to have a large and loving family including her husband Eduardo, two daughters and a son. Her life is a celebration of Mexican culture and art, family, love and charity.

The crux of this story is her recounting of going in for a necessary operation, seriously not feeling well afterwards- much less recovering as one should. It also stresses the importance of knowing yourself and the valid feelings/symptoms you are experiencing, and not putting a better face on it to go along with everyone. You have to communicate honestly with health personnel and be heard. If your pain level is a 9 or 10 when it shouldn't be- say it. After suffering greatly for awhile, she ultimately discovered that in a "right and left" situation, the wrong side was operated on. It was a mighty shock, but at least she had the justification for how horrible she was feeling. From there she and her family investigated various methods in rectifying this health crisis, with the right doctor, procedure, and medicines.

The author seems like a wonderful lady; beautiful, intelligent, creative and giving. She went through a shattering experience that has ramifications lifelong, but rose out of the ashes like a phoenix looking at the positives in life and striving towards forgiveness. This was already a short book, and I feel a bit guilty saying this, but as I read it I felt that this could have been a long magazine article rather than an entire book.

Thank you to the publisher Cuco Press for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

I received this book as an ARC and this is my review. This story is an amazing personal ordeal handled beautifully and heroically by this artistic, creative mother who valiantly kept going even when her pain and suffering were unbelievable. I loved this book - the descriptions of images and feelings are so realistic. I totally recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the psychological struggle to appear normal when your world is off balance.

A story about family, art, injury, and healing. Lorena's doctor removed the incorrect gland and it is the story how her family and her art helped her heal. Beautifully written. Not only does it tug at your heart strings, it also gives your a true glimpse of Mexican-American culture on the how strong that bond of family truly is.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC

This was a really good read. The author suffered permanent damage during a surgical procedure that was designed to make her feel better. The book goes through all of the difficulties that she had just trying to get someone to listen to her. This happened to her all through the process, including before and after the surgery. Despite all of this, she was able to forgive her surgeon, and she has learned to live with all of her health issues. She learned to take responsibility for her health instead of assuming doctors know what is best for her. She also found herself more grateful for the life she has despite all of her health problems. Although the mistake was bad, she feels that she is a better person because of it. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a wonderful book about the power of forgiveness and acceptance and what it means to be human. A surgeon’s catastrophic mistake caused irreparable harm to Lorena Junco Margain. She could have become bitter, angry, and vindictive, but instead she chose compassion. I am inspired by and in awe of Lorena’s humanity and I feel honored that she chose to share her deeply personal story with us.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher of this book. On the way to Casa Lotus is a book that will stay with me for a long time to come. Lorena's an amazing woman and her book shows her courage and strength to face a very difficult medical situation with grace and honor. If the world could be just a little more like Lorena Junco Margain, oh what a wonderful place that would be.
I will be honest at first I was unsure I wanted to read this book but once I started it I could not stop. Not only is Lorena's story something I wanted to learn about but the way Lorena writes is simply beautiful. It's almost poetry so flowing and I got caught up in her story but also her words. I fell in love with her strong family. I send prayers and hugs to this amazing woman and her family and I pray that the medical world learns from her example, (especially her surgeon).