Will I love In Shock?

Oh, how I loved this book. It is the true story of her experience as a critical care physician at Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital, becoming, in an instant, a critically ill patient. What captivates me is the beauty of the writing–it reads like a novel–and her bravery in writing it.

Cared for in her own hospital, she writes not only about how the medical staff saved her life but also how it often undermined her dignity, especially with the language used in her presence, such as, “She is circling the drain.” Dr. Awdish’s experience changed her as a physician; reading… show more.

Dr. Rana Awdish, a critical care physician, describes the sudden and catastrophic illness that causes a miscarriage and lands her in the ICU, in multi-organ failure, at the hospital where she works.

Her arduous recovery is nothing short of a miracle. I appreciated her perspective as a physician, trying to advocate for herself, even while she is seriously ill. She draws on stories of her patients and shares her well-founded frustrations with our healthcare system.

This powerful story will be appreciated by those who have experienced a serious illness and anyone who works in health care.