In the fall of 2008, nurse Tilda Shalof underwent open heart surgery. After twenty-seven years taking care of patients, she suddenly found herself on the "other side." Her story takes readers from the diagnosis, through all her fears and@lt;br@gt;concerns, the actual OR, her stay in the ICU, the cardiac ward, recovery at home, rehabilitation, and ultimately, her return to work in the hospital armed with new insights on the patient's perspective. Shalof expertly weaves other nurse's experiences into her own story, creating the perfect marriage between fascinating clinical detail and a personal journey of healing. Throughout it all is Shalof's warm, friendly voice and humorous outlook. Anyone who's ever been a hospital patient, is currently hospitalized, or who might be one day (and those who love them!), will be comforted and enlightened by this book.

Reviews

"A smart patient knows more about coping with their disease than their physician, and Tilda Shalof's insights into the rigors of heart surgery are even more provocative since she brings a nurse's wisdom to her own operation."
--Dr. Mehmet Oz, Host of the "The Dr. Oz Show"