The story of one man’s evolution from naive and ambitious young intern to world-class neurosurgeon.With poignant insight and humor, Frank Vertosick Jr., MD, describes some of the greatest challenges of his career, including a six-week-old infant with a tumor in her brain, a young man struck down in his prime by paraplegia, and a minister with a .22-caliber bullet lodged in his skull. Told through … lodged in his skull. Told through intimate portraits of Vertosick’s patients and unsparing yet fascinatingly detailed descriptions of surgical procedures, When the Air Hits Your Brain—the culmination of decades spent struggling to learn an unforgiving craft—illuminates both the mysteries of the mind and the realities of the operating room.
more
Super interesting on several levels
Seeing the medical world through Dr. Frank’s experiences is not a comfortable place. He is challenged from the beginning (as are all the people who have chosen medicine as their calling). With each new patient he encounters there is potential for fortunate or tragic outcomes. It reminded me of how fragile our bodies and precious our lives.
Captivating and very informative. Real life. Well written. A bit philosophical. And the chapter titled “Rebecca” is one of the saddest and bittersweet i’d ever read. I highly recommend.
This was an easy to read memoir of one neurosurgeon’s training. A very interest ing and down to earth, human tale. I enjoyed it