Thought provoking

What was it like?

This is an incredibly powerful book, and at the same dreadful in that this is avoidable in low resource countries. The accounts of women who state obstetric fistulas as a living death. We often complain of our health service, but we are so lucky in the UK. This is a plea to ensure that suffering does not take place

What were the highlights? 

Written in a way that this is brought to life, outlining the history but more so the way forward to empower women in other countries and in doing this I hope lives will be saved and other lives improved- this is the 21^st century no one should be suffering as some of the women are. In some of the poorer countries this is medieval- women ostracised form their communities and villages.

This highlights to the reader a grave plight that needs to be recognised and changed.

Strengths & weaknesses:

The author has researched this subject well he is a Professor in Anthropology as well as in Obs and Gynae so he well equipped to write this, the writing is good and although I knew little of this subject found the book easy to read.

The only weakness is the size of the font –  I wear reading glasses but needed a magnifying glass- perhaps the publishers could look at this – it could put readers off.

Who should read it?

All staff working in obs and gyne, also students to ensure they have insight into this problem, overseas charities who can make a difference.

Inspirational

I was asked to review this by the Nursing Times Journal

What was it like?

Twenty-one-year-old lady with a relationship of just four weeks is diagnosed with malignant bowel cancer. Sadly, she was not able to have chemo as the number of polyps meant that it was too risky and radical surgery had to take place and the result an ileostomy bag. This was bad enough but to hope that a relationship so early on would survive this.

This is Leanne’s journey and those close to her. This is written as a diary.

What were the highlights? 

The highlights were this was a real person’s experience warts and all, reality rather than someone trying to write about how brave someone was – and she was but it gives the reader the insight into this person’s mindset and those around her.

The care she received was second to none – all too often we read about negative aspects of care- the author could only speak highly.

What was interesting was that the author then passed the writing to friends and family including her boyfriend to give the carer and family experience something Leanne can look back on and realise she was not on her own. For her relationship with her boyfriend it was so poignant when he stated after she had come through this horrendous journey “our life together has started”

Strengths & weaknesses:

This was a well written easy to read diary type book of a real person who went through a terrible time but came out the other side with the support of the hospital, specialists, family and friends.

It is modern Leanne and her mother watch You Tube to gain experience of a girl changing and cleaning her stoma. In my day we gave patients leaflets.

There were no weaknesses.

Gives the reader hope if Leanne can do this we all can if faced with the same problems.

Who should read it?

Anyone who is working in this field of surgery who will care for these patients, student nurses and junior doctors, patients who are going through similar experiences along with their loved ones and family.

Sweet quartet of romance stories

I always love to receive an email from Sharon Kleve and this was no exception

A quartet of romantic stories by Sharon Kleve and Jennifer Conner- just lovely at this time of year and so many wedding take place in the summer. Happy to say lots of romance and a bit of humour too.

Such sweet stories that you can enjoy and simply mad things that happen with weddings also.

Each of the stories uses characters from the others to intertwine these beautiful stories and friendships.

the plots are good and so well written - I have been a fan of both authors for a while now and they never disappoint.

So if you are looking for a great sunbed read this summer look no further.

Satire at its best

I was asked to review this by Nudge - well as satire goes this is as good as it gets. I was unsure when I first read this but got into this very quickly. This is witty and on the other side of the coin makes the reader think big time.

A black man brings back slavery and racial segregation in a "post-racial" country. Very apt when I knew a little about America race relations. I did ask myself how the author got away with writing this- but he did an won the coveted Man Booker prize.

Having just watched BBC 4 Black Nurses: Who Saved the NHS - I was shocked how people in Britain treated black people from our own commonwealth so this book for me was so thought provoking.

The author discusses some real uncomfortable truths, some reviews stated that  the author spent a lot of time ranting about race relations- I personally found this was apt and good on him for writing this. So readers get over this and read this hilarious but thought provoking story. 

This is a book I may not have picked up so thank you Nudge and the publishers for letting me review this.

Excellent Tool for Oncology Nurses

I was asked to review by the Nursing Times Journal

What was it like?

This is a text book for Oncology nurses, and many of them will prepare and administer cancer treatments and medications that will treat various cancers. What was surprising according to the author many staff are not aware of all sources of exposure to hazardous drugs. Staff need to identify risks and change practice. This latest edition equips nurses with the latest information to keep them safe in their working environments.

What were the highlights?

Well set out and well researched each chapter guides staff through surveillance, training, drug formulations, drug and post administration and importantly patient and family education (all too often a text book will outline everything, but the patient and family are either forgotten or not acknowledged). The chapters are easy to read and understand.
There are ten impressive pages of up to date references and authors with pharmaceutical and senior nurse backgrounds.

Strengths & weaknesses:

This is an excellent tool to enable staff to undertake risk assessments – although written for nursing staff working in the States this is equally relevant for Oncology nurses in the UK.
The authors advocate that safe handling of Hazardous drugs should be built in to the teaching plans for patients and relatives and ensure this is both verbal and in writing- this will then ensure effective and safe patient information and may assist staff in the community also.
Every time I went to look for an aspect of safe handling it was there – I then thought of policies this was there too ensuring these are written to be evidence based and easy to understand (and not 60 pages as I have witnessed in other areas). There are also templates to assist staff so that they are not reinventing the wheel or spending precious time away from their patients.

This will also help staff in CQC assessments in the UK, ensure risk assessments are carried out and ensure fewer drug errors will occur.

There were no weaknesses this is a well written research-based text book.

Who should read it?

Ward Manager, Clinical Nurse Specialists, nurses who administer oncology drugs, Trust Medical Safety Officers, Risk Managers, Pharmacists and nursing staff training in Oncology.

Powwerful and scary

What was it like?

The author explores climate change – a wake up call for us all. Tick borne diseases and the battle to find treatments and to somehow fight what is affecting millions of people in the States and other countries. For readers in the UK this is possibly news to them, but the message needs to get out there as climates get warmer, ticks will breed where they would not have before.

What were the highlights? 

The highlights for me personally were the interviews with patients, specialists, and researchers around the world, this made this a reality and the author demonstrates the case for Governments, World Health Organisations and public health to do something before it is too late. The author clearly states that it is people and larger animals who will suffer. A simple bite can be fatal.

Frightening to think we managed to rid people of small pox, polio (although still prevalent in some countries is treatable) so many children I grew up with had callipers and suffered with diseases we thought had gone away and now something more deadly.

Frightening the author statement that we are ultimately to blame as we unleashed the lyme pathogen.

This is such an incredibly powerful book.

Strengths & weaknesses:

Well researched and beautifully written. The text is not overburdening to the reader. The argument is well presented and backed up with data. Very much a world-wide issue and now needs backing from the UK also. It urges the reader to be caring for the planet also we all have a part to play. The author is an investigative reporter and this shines through the writing and argument.

I found no weaknesses in this book.

Who should read it?

Pathology staff, clinical staff junior staff in training, patient advocates and researchers.

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.