Gone in a Heartbeat

Neil Spector, M.D., Gone in a Heartbeat: A Physician's Search for True Healing (Oxford, Mississippi: Triton Press) 2015


Spector - Gone in a Heartbeat
I was drawn to this book because of the incredible story of how Dr. Spector endured a mysterious illness that seemed to defy diagnosis. The result of the illness was severe heart disease that finally could be resolved only by a heart transplant. The book tells the story of his illness, surgeries and other medical trials as he struggled to regain his health.

Interesting and alarming is the story of how Dr. Spector, a highly recognized oncologist, was unsuccessful in getting his doctors to take his symptoms seriously. They kept labeling his troubles as stress, even though there was no evidence that he was not dealing with stress well. Their inability to take their patient seriously kept them from discovering the true nature of his illness. As I read, I kept thinking, "If a doctor can't get his doctors to listen to him, what chance does a layperson have?"

This book should be required reading for physicians in training. His approach to physician/patient relationships is a breath of fresh air in the world of contemporary medicine.