Review: Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope Into Action; A Memoir

Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope Into Action; A Memoir by David Fajgenbaum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a well written and relatable book for anyone either in the medical field or with a major medical condition. As a medical professional myself, I could completely relate to many of the situations that the author found himself in through the telling of his story, even the strange comfort in sitting down before a long study session in a library, at a long table with the supplies at hand. It brought back memories. The telling of his own story, how he came to work on Castleman Disease through having it and realizing that so little was known about it, from the pathophysiology to how to treat it, was truly remarkable. I know through family members or friends that have had serious medical conditions, the importance of seeking the second or third opinions and searching for the latest studies for new treatment options. His combination of expertise in medicine and then research (having completed a Masters degree) and then an MBA for the business model to gain the funding knowledge is unique as well. Most doctors are so busy becoming doctors as quickly as possible that they leave no time for the rest and really the business degree, or at least some knowledge in business would be tremendously helpful.
Clearly this will be a lifelong pursuit, which thankfully Dr. Fajgenbaum now has the time to do. I thought that when his liver tumor was found that he would surely have a paraneoplastic syndrome, and still could even with this removed. These tend to occur both before and after the associated tumors are found. The association between the cancer/tumor-causing mechanism (either genetic or otherwise) and the immune system is fascinating. This will be a career to follow and his approach is revolutionary in medicine, where so much in clinical medicine and research is siloed.
My only negative about the writing of this is in questioning who the audience is? If it is intended to be medically trained people, then well done. If it is intended to be for either medical or lay people, then I take issue with the very technical sections that I would imagine would be difficult to follow for those not scientifically trained or medically trained. I tried to read the immunologic and oncologic/hemotologic sections with the mindset of someone who I would be explaining those concepts to in a clinic setting and it would never happen in such technical terms.
For anyone interested in a true medical breakthrough story that reads mostly like a novel, with a small section of heavy science, this book is highly recommended. 4.5

#ChasingMyCure #Netgalley #BallantineBooks

View all my reviews