Surgeon's Story: Inside OR-1 with One of America's Top Pediatric Heart Surgeons
by Mark Oristano
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date Feb 28 2017 | Archive Date Feb 05 2018
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Description
"This book should be a gift to any young woman considering a medical career and wondering if she could do it. "
"A fantastic journey into the science of the human heart and one heroic doctor who repairs and replaces them."
"From the very first page right up to the climactic ending, this book will entertain you with the real life wit, humor, and drama."
Kristine Guleserian, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, is scrubbed in.
Dr. G, as she's known, is one of only nine women in the U.S. sub-specialty board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons to do what she's about to do -- take a scalpel sharper than a dozen razors, cut through eleven-month old Claudia's skin, saw open her breastbone and spread her ribcage apart in order to repair congenital defects threatening a malformed heart the size of a walnut.
It's just after 9:00 AM. Claudia will be in the OR until 2:00 PM, along with a team of talented surgeons, nurses, techs, anesthesiologists, perfusionists and others.
Dr. G is in charge.
What will she find when she opens the chest?
How will this tiny little child hold up in surgery?
You won't believe the real-life medical drama in this intense, close-up visit to the cardiac OR.
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What made you decide to write Surgeon's Story?
I've been a volunteer at Children's Medical Center in Dallas for 20 years, and I got to know Dr. Guleserian in a very casual fashion, seeing her give a couple of lectures and things. But the more I found out about her, as both person and surgeon, the more I thought she'd be a great subject for a book. And she agreed to the project with the one proviso that it would not be in her first-person voice.
What it is like to watch heart surgery?
Well, if your only notion of heart surgery comes from watching MASH, you'd be disappointed. It's almost bloodless. But the most impressive thing is the incredible, complete teamwork in the OR. Surgeons, nurses, scrub techs, perfusionists, anesthesiologists, all work like a well drilled football team, or a perfectly synchronized ballet company. It's really a very beautiful thing to watch.
Who are you hoping will be eager to read Surgeon's Story?
Well, pretty much everybody, obviously. But beyond that, there are two core audiences. First, anybody who has ever enjoyed Chicago Hope or Gray's Anatomy, or ER, and wants to see what really goes on in those life-or-death hospital settings. And secondly, young people, especially girls, who are thinking of careers in science and would like to follow in Dr. G's shoes.
Advance Praise
"This book should be a gift to any young woman considering a medical career and wondering if she could do it. "
"A fantastic journey into the science of the human heart and one heroic doctor who repairs and replaces them."
"From the very first page right up to the climactic ending, this book will entertain you with the real life wit, humor, and drama."
Featured Reviews
V N, Reviewer
Wonderful story about a wonderful woman/surgeon. Well written and holds your interest. I laughed, cried and was amazed. Blessings to Dr. G. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this wonderfully written book.
Gaby F, Educator
Surgeon's story is a captivating book about the work of pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Kristine Guleserian. I read the whole book in one evening because I was not able to put it down. In his book, Mark Oristano did a wonderful job of describing all the different stages in Dr. Guleserian's career that led her to become a top pediatric heart surgeon. Besides the talent, commitment and hard work that Dr. Guleserian has put in her work, Mark Oristano also highlights Dr. Guleserian's character and how well she relates to the families of her patients and the teams she works with. If I had a career in the field of medicine I would seek out team-oriented mentors like Dr. Guleserian to learn from their expertise and leadership qualitities.
Kerry H, Reviewer
Dr G is a paediatric heart surgeon and this is her story and a couple of her cases told by Mark Oristano.
I love true life stories and this was a fascinating read. It is her heavy on technical details but much of it is explained so didn't make it too hard to follow. The stories told of real cases are incredible and this book shows the true depth she went to saving their lives.
It's powerful and moving. Many of the success stories involved a tragedy for someone else and that was sensitively covered in the book. It's an incredible insight into the world and I loved learning about all the stages in s transplant.
Lisa C, Reviewer
Reading the case studies of Dr. Kristine Guleserian's heart transplant patients was more exciting than the Red Sox at the World Series! "Surgeon's Story" is an engaging, heart-warming portrait of the making of a pediatric cardiac surgeon, interspersed with case studies of some of her young patients. My own heart was pounding as the writer Mark Oristano takes the reader into the surgery with him as an observer, while Dr. G restores life and hope to young patients whose own hearts are diseased beyond saving. The way the author chose to write about her (using snippets of interview material, as well as his own narrative) was very effective; what impresses me is how Dr. G, an enthusiastic down-to-earth Red Sox baseball fan, comes across as modest and in love with medicine. She is quick to credit those mentors and teachers who helped shape her philosophy, and her colleagues who she views as teammates, critical to her own success. This book was a fairly short read -- I would have gladly enjoyed even more!
cindy l, Reviewer
The process of medicine, being treated or being the doctor is infinitely complex, tragic, frustrating and gratifying. Add in the innocence of kids and the fear of their families makes this that much more of each of those qualities.
My dad was a doctor and I remember his stories of kids and how much more challenging practicing medicine for them can be. The losses are horrible, but the wins are wonderful.
Good read, but sure doesn't make me want to go to the hospital at all.
Neil C, Reviewer
If you love hospital drama's then you will love this.
It takes you right into the operating theatre.
A wonderful insight into the pressures of a surgeon.
Educator 317339
This is an amazing true book that I could not put down! It is amazing that medicine can do such amazing things, and we are lucky to have amazing people like all of the medical personnel in this book. Their dedication, precision, and teamwork is phenomenal and humbling.
Michelle C, Reviewer
Surgeon's Story by Mark Oristano is the story of Dr. G. The author followed Dr. G for six years to get the information that became this book. In this book, his journalism background comes into play and the reader feels quickly sucked into the world of the operating room. Be ready to learn a lot about the heart. If you ever wondered how intricate heart surgeries are done, particularly pediatric surgeries, this book will fascinate you. Dr. G is a noted surgeon in her field and following her cases makes a very interesting book. I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. These opinions are entirely my own.
Maren R, Reviewer
Very well written story that showcases the hardships and struggles but also the beauty and wonderful moemnts coming with such a demanding job. And all that written in a way that makes the reader feel with the story and connect with what storing on!
Very well done!
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