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When Death Becomes Life
When Death Becomes Life: Notes from a Transplant Surgeon | Joshua D. Mezrich
19 posts | 9 read | 11 to read
"With When Death Becomes Life, Joshua Mezrich has performed the perfect core biopsy of transplantationa clear and compelling account of the grueling daily work, the spell-binding history and the unsettling ethical issues that haunt this miraculous lifesaving treatment. Mezrich's compassionate and honest voice, punctuated by a sharp and intelligent wit, render the enormous subject not just palatable but downright engrossing."Pauline Chen, author of Final Exam: A Surgeons Reflections on Mortality A gifted surgeon illuminates one of the most profound, awe-inspiring, and deeply affecting achievements of modern day medicinethe movement of organs between bodiesin this exceptional work of death and life that takes its place besides Atul Gawandes Complications, Siddhartha Mukherjees The Emperor of All Maladies, and Jerome Groopmans How Doctors Think. At the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Joshua Mezrich creates life from loss, transplanting organs from one body to another. In this intimate, profoundly moving work, he illuminates the extraordinary field of transplantation that enables this kind of miracle to happen every day. When Death Becomes Life is a thrilling look at how science advances on a grand scale to improve human lives. Mezrich examines more than one hundred years of remarkable medical breakthroughs, connecting this fascinating history with the inspiring and heartbreaking stories of his transplant patients. Combining gentle sensitivity with scientific clarity, Mezrich reflects on his calling as a doctor and introduces the modern pioneers who made transplantation a realitymaverick surgeons whose feats of imagination, bold vision, and daring risk taking generated techniques and practices that save millions of lives around the world. Mezrich takes us inside the operating room and unlocks the wondrous process of transplant surgery, a delicate, intense ballet requiring precise timing, breathtaking skill, and at times, creative improvisation. In illuminating this work, Mezrich touches the essence of existence and what it means to be alive. Most physicians fight death, but in transplantation, doctors take from death. Mezrich shares his gratitude and awe for the privilege of being part of this transformative exchange as the dead give their last breath of life to the living. After all, the donors are his patients, too. When Death Becomes Life also engages in fascinating ethical and philosophical debates: How much risk should a healthy person be allowed to take to save someone she loves? Should a patient suffering from alcoholism receive a healthy liver? What defines death, and what role did organ transplantation play in that definition? The human story behind the most exceptional medicine of our time, Mezrichs riveting book is a beautiful, poignant reminder that a life lost can also offer the hope of a new beginning.
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review
CuriousG
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Mehso-so

Somewhere between a so-so & pick for me. I am glad I read it and many chapters were fascinating, however there were lulls. Most interesting were the actual case studies and people. The part where they said odds of death for living liver donors are as high as 1 in 200 was scary for me as my husband had tried to be a living donor for his brother, but rejected due to a previous brain injury. Thankfully my B-i-L was saved by a deceased donor!

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CuriousG
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For the first time in weeks I have both the time and the energy to read for more than 5 minutes. Feels so good to have a moment to breath and slow down! Getting back at this book.

Copwithabook Ooo that looks interesting 4y
CuriousG @Copwithabook So far it has been. I have been fascinated with transplants since my brother-in-law had one a few years ago. Was so excited when I found this book! 4y
Copwithabook @CuriousG one of my guys was killed in the line of duty and three of his organs were sent to recipients. It has been very healing for his family to see the loss of his life bring more life! 4y
CuriousG @Copwithabook That is such a tragedy, and yet lives were saved too. If a legacy must be had, that is a beautiful one 💙 4y
Copwithabook @CuriousG I completely agree! 4y
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CuriousG
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"While I've been on a plane many times, I'd never experienced the full power of a thunderstorm at ten thousand feet."

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CuriousG
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Could not be more excited about my new book that arrived today! My brother-in-law had a life saving transplant almost 2 years ago and the subject is so intriguing. Especially knowing that the people who first had the idea to do this would have been considered mavericks at best, and crazy at worst. Think I might put my other book on pause for now to start this one...there is no waiting!

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Conservio
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I‘m digging the influx of #medical memoir type books. #surgery #nonfiction

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keithmalek
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I read this because I was interested in learning more about the politics behind transplantation--who does and does not get transplants and why. Unfortunately, the book doesn't touch upon this until more than halfway through, and then only briefly.

BookNAround One that touches on this topic fictionally, but is by no means the main theme, is 5y
Megabooks Agree with @BookNAround . I really enjoyed And Again. 5y
keithmalek @BookNAround Thanks. That sounds interesting. 5y
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keithmalek
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Twocougs One of my all time favorite author‘s quotes- it‘s so true. 5y
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keithmalek
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keithmalek
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keithmalek
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Whoa whoa whoa. Stop right there. The clergy deal in childish fairy tales. Surgery is SCIENCE. Why would a doctor need to consult clergy? If you ever see your doctor praying or consulting clergy, get a different doctor, IMMEDIATELY!

BestDogDad Absolutely! Keep the clergy in their houses of worship and keep them and their influence away from anything having to do with science and reality! Ridiculous! 5y
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keithmalek
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keithmalek
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keithmalek

It's always harder to operate on bigger, obese patients. The vessels are deeper and surrounded by fat, making the operation take place in a deep hole. It has always amazed me that people outside of surgery are surprised by this; I suppose they want to believe that all surgeries are the same and predictable.

TheEllieMo I‘m overweight, and a member of a “support group” on Facebook - the number of people in denial about how their obesity affects them is shocking. 5y
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keithmalek
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This was from the turn of the twentieth century up until WWII. Not surprisingly, Hitler kind of put a damper on that whole eugenics thing.

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perfectsinner
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This was a very interesting read that delved deeply into the history and science behind organ transplantation and all the experiments and medical advancements through history that have helped pave the way for organ transplantation. Although it's really technical at times, it's overall a good and fascinating read.

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Bookartbookmarks
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I‘ve convinced Carolyn to become part of the Litsy family!! Let‘s give her some love!! She‘s an amazing person and I am so glad I met her. I know you‘ll guys will love her too!

Lovesbooks87 I got a book sleeve from her and it was amazing!!!! 6y
Bookishlie Welcome to litsy!! 6y
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SewHappyStitchHappy Oh, Margaux! You are so kind and I‘m very lucky to call you my friend!!! 6y
SewHappyStitchHappy @Lovesbooks87 Oh my gosh, I‘m so happy to hear that!! 6y
SewHappyStitchHappy @Bookishlie Thanks so much! 6y
JazzFeathers Hi @SewHappyStitchHappy Welcome to Litsy! I'm sure you'll love it here. This is a readers paradise! 6y
Birdsong28 Welcome @SewHappyStitchHappy 🎊🎉📚📖 6y
SewHappyStitchHappy @JazzFeathers Hi! I‘m excited to be here! 😊 6y
SewHappyStitchHappy @Birdsong28 Woohoo! Thank you! 6y
46 likes11 comments
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SewHappyStitchHappy
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Pickpick

I loved this nonfiction book about organ transplant! It was a great mix of history and Mezrich‘s personal experience as a surgeon. I especially loved the donor and recipient stories. #booksleeve #nonfiction #science #organtransplant

cobwebmoth Welcome to Litsy! 6y
DebReads4fun Welcome to Litsy! 6y
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lover.of.the.classics Welcome to the Litsy Family!!! 6y
SewHappyStitchHappy @lover.of.the.classics 😊 thank you!! 6y
RaimeyGallant Nice review! And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 5y
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balletbookworm
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Pickpick

Mezrich presents a history of solid organ transplantation alongside his own history of learning to become a transplant surgeon (mostly kidneys and livers). Each road was long and hard; if you know anything about this branch of medicine, it comes with significant risk of failure. Mezrich includes two chapters where he presents the stories of some of his recipients and of the donors and their families. If you aren‘t moved by them you have no soul.

balletbookworm This is also a reminder to consider marking “Organ Donor” on your driver‘s license and having that conversation with your family. 6y
26 likes3 stack adds1 comment