This book touched me in many ways. I love how Dr. Macauley teaches us you can turn pain into positive. He shares some deeply personal details which brings him to the decision to become a pediatric palliative care doctor. It is commendable to me, the job he performs. To see that his patients touch him just as much if not more than he touches them.

Their stories are heartbreaking and wrecked me. There were several times I have to use my Kleenex.

I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by the author. I love books in which the author narrates. He did a wonderful job.

Thank you NetGalley and Talkbox Productions for the advanced listening copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Published June 2025.

Robert Macauley is a pediatric palliative care doctor telling his story throughout his career. With his background of also being a priest, of being a medical ethicist, and in navigating parenthood, he brings a raw honesty to the emotional complexity of his work and perhaps how his own childhood trauma has impacted how he shows up for the people he helps.

Because I knew You weaves together stories of some of the patients he's cared for over the years and how they've impacted his role moving forward. The stories are heartfelt, heart wrenching and hard. Macauley documents some of the misunderstandings of his field, such as the distinction between palliative care and hospice, and how pediatric palliative specifically comes with it's own hurdles vs adult palliative care. He speaks truthfully about burnout and the impact his job has on his family and friends.

Overall, while this book was emotional and heavy, it was beautiful.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

"Porque eu te conheci: Como algumas crianças doentes extraordinárias curaram a alma de um médico" é uma obra comovente do Dr. Robert Macauley, que compartilha experiências transformadoras ao longo de sua carreira como pediatra. O livro narra histórias de crianças com doenças graves, cujas vidas e legados impactaram profundamente a prática médica do autor. Através dessas narrativas, Macauley reflete sobre a importância da empatia, da conexão humana e do significado da vida e da morte no contexto da medicina.

Narrado pelo próprio autor, o audiolivro oferece uma experiência íntima e emocional, permitindo que os ouvintes se conectem ainda mais com as histórias e reflexões apresentadas. "Porque eu te conheci" é uma leitura recomendada para profissionais de saúde, estudantes e qualquer pessoa interessada em compreender a profundidade emocional da medicina e o impacto das relações humanas na cura e no cuidado.