Remarkable in 2014 and still remarkable

his an updated review as I was lucky to be asked to review the 3rd edition in 2014.

What was it like?

This book details each step from decision making, choosing a consultant to the stages of pre and post breast reconstruction. For someone taking the steps to have a mastectomy due to cancer or for prophylactic purposes this guides the reader through the whole process.

What were the highlights?

The reader can gain all their information from one source by reading this invaluable guidebook. The reader does not need to trawl through various websites it is all here. If there was ever good news in a patient facing mastectomy it is here as this a fantastic guide for the patient. It is written in a way that the reader feels at ease and the book is not overly complicated. If I were going through this, I would have this book with me at all times, it can answer questions that the reader needs answers to quickly. The photographs are of real people, so it does not give a stilted view on issues.
It is comforting within the closing thoughts section of the book that breast reconstruction continues to progress along with research and continues to give the reader reassurance.
The author is honest in her approach which makes this a balanced read.

This is now the fourth edition and has been extensively updated- there are useful diagrams which helps the reader to understand.

A quote from the author makes the reader realise breast reconstruction is a good option her quote “thankful for reconstruction, but I just couldn’t come to terms with the reality of losing my breasts” readers need to factor this in (something I had not considered)

Strengths & weaknesses:

This is a bible for all patients facing mastectomy and breast reconstruction. This is well written and up to date. There is even a section to give information to friends and family to guide them and enable them to have a greater understanding and equip them to support the person through this daunting journey.
The author herself has breast cancer in 2001, and the frustration of limited information lead her to write this book which is now in its third edition. This is person that knows and understands what the reader needs.
This is written for the States as it has been used at the Texas Center for Breast Reconstruction for many years. This is equally relevant to the UK patient and healthcare team also.
There were no weakness in this remarkable text book.

Who should read it?
This book is a must for a patient taking the steps to have a mastectomy due to cancer or for prophylactic purposes. It is also relevant to all healthcare staff who are caring for the patient through this journey and their families and loved ones.

Ideal for clinical staff interpreting patient notes

What was it like?

This is a quick reference guide to interpreting patients notes. Well set out and not only quick but easy to read also. The authors have taken the strain out of what can be a difficult job in extracting information from the notes but also understanding what is to be extracted. It forms the basics of what is in a patient’s set of notes which is good if we can get the basics right everything else can fall into place. This highlights what good looks like.

What were the highlights?

This is written by academics in the UK for UK readers. Although this looks simple and easy (great for the reader) this has taken a great deal of research and thought to produce this. The section on medical abbreviations was useful and personally as although I interpret notes regularly there was abbreviations I had not come across before. Terminology I take for granted – I heard myself say now I understand.

The layout of the book was pleasing on the eye and each section with a heading in bold so the reader is not trawling through and unable to find vital information.

Strengths & weaknesses:

Strengths – this is easy to pick up and follow and the reader could have this book at hand if reviewing a set of notes as a guide. This edition has been updated to include important aspects such as sepsis. And changes to the reporting of cardiac troponins.

Weaknesses – yes it could be argued that the reader could just use Google or Wikipedia but for the reader who is unsure. This is researched based by academics for the UK rather than the world wide web which has its flaws- and if you are reviewing notes – there is a patient at the centre of this so accuracy is paramount.
This is mainly for readers who are working in secondary care due to having access to patient notes, but primary care staff would benefit as this gives a basic understanding, and at some point, this looks like this may include primary care also in a future edition.

Who should read it?

Staff who are undertaking medical reviews of notes, writing serious incident reports, 7 day service audits obtaining concise information in glossaries aimed for the patient and relatives (rather than looking up Wikipedia), staff who are undertaking audits and harm reviews. As patient notes are often combined this is a quick guide for therapies and other staff who input into patients notes.

a remarkable story of love and loss

I was asked to review this book by Lovereading

This novel is about love and loss - set in 1940. The main character Maxine trains as a nurse and works in St Thomas Hospital in London which was damaged in the blitz. Rather mills and Boon she falls in love with a surgeon - who is not all he appears to be. She then takes a post with Barnardos and throws herself into helping children whose lives have been changed by the ravages of war.

Well written and would appeal to fans of Nadine Dorries. As you would expect it is hear wrenching but a thoroughly good read and well researched by the author.

Wow

Wow this is some debut novel-  this blew me away . I was asked to review for LoveReading.

Mother has died and her son after a few weeks is going through a chocolate box filled with love letters all tied up with knots and one rainy day she unties the knots.

These love letters are during world war 2 - people did not know if they would survive the war, nothing was certain and love blossomed in difficult circumstances.

This was a beautiful book that I too sat on a bleak over cast day and like the son I untied the knots and turned the pagers.

this is a true story this gets better and better - Martin Preston and Nancy Whelan who meet in Oxford in 1937 and fall in love, then the war looms and Martin enlists. They are engaged before he goes.

So many at that time relied on letters to keep their love alive and they never knew if their loved ones would return. 

This is not just a series of letters but the quest for the son to find out what happened to Martin as the son knew of this man due to a photo Nancy kept next to pictures of his father and other family members.

This is so moving and the reader yearns to find out what happened till the very last page. The sad thing is the son finds out what his mother never knew. 

This was such a great read with wonderful writing I just loved reading this

What a privilege to be asked to review this book

Will definitely be in the top ten this summer. Published 14th June 2018.

What did happen on proms night?

I was asked to review this by Inspired by Kathy. This is a YA book.

This was an interesting read with a bit of the paranormal thrown in and certainly was an interesting read.  I found myself reading on wanting to know what happened next. Set almost 20 years ago and it feel like this was an age ago and technology was not like it is today.

Something happens on proms night in a little American town, Gabi leaves the town and tries to forget what happened on that fateful night.

What did happen in the pond that night just how much did Gabi know? but she cannot shake this off and return to find. This thunders on till the end when the reader finds out what happened.

A book I could not put down, loved the authors writing - have not read any of her books before so will now seek her out.

Thoroughly recommended.

fluffy good read

I was asked to review this book by Inspired by Kathy - I have been lucky in that I have reviewed this author before.

This is a modern twist on Cinderella, this is the second book in the Pine Valley series.

This gave me a warm glow inside- you have Jane a cleaner, wealthy Cameron who has a dreadful fiancé - called none other than Crystal.

Cameron confides in Jane and talks to her as he is having a hard time.

Then Cameron persuades Jane to attend a charity do - where she loves dressing up - but readers is this just a fairy tale or will the two get together? that is the burning question.

Well written and a fluffy good read.

madam scarlet

I was asked to review by Inspired by Kathy

I love history and loved this new twist on the Scarlet Pimpernel - and a female pimpernel!

Set in the bloodiest of times the French Revolution - interesting how scarlet is trying to keep people away from Madame guillotine risking her head whilst in various disguises.

Then there is Matteo and the relationship between them - the secrets and whether to trust this man- will their relationship blossom - you will have to read on to find out.

Although this is dark times - there still is humour and romance thrown into the mix.

Well written fast paced novel - recommended - I raced to the finish to see what happened in the end.

unput downable

I was asked by Lovereading to review this book which is due for publication 14th June 2018 - so not long to wait.

I enjoyed this book in the garden, this for the author is slightly unusual as this is a standalone book- just in time for the summer holidays.

Oh my goodness I found myself, laughing, in tears and in wonderment - this story is of three generations of women each has a secret. I found myself getting really immersed in this book and totally forgetting the time.

It is all about relationships being tested, re-emerging and a family coming together.

Boy are these strong characters and so well written and the descriptions of the setting in Martha's Vineyard was beautiful.

It is one of those stories you sigh at the end but the story and characters live with the reader for along time after.

This is my first take on Sarah Morgan and I will hope she continues writing in this style. A recommended sun bed read in 2018 and beyond.