Net Galley helps readers discover and recommend new books to their audiences. If you are a librarian, bookseller, educator, reviewer, blogger or in the media, you can join for free.
I enjoy reading and sharing what I read with my blog followers, so joining Net Galley helps me accomplish both.
Net Galley helps “readers of influence” discover and recommend new books to their audiences. If you are a librarian, bookseller, educator, reviewer, blogger, or in the media, you can join for free.
I enjoy reading and sharing what I read with my blog followers, so joining Net Galley helps me accomplish both. I try to find books with a health/medical theme although occasionally I will pick something just for fun. But I find that almost any story portrays some health-related issue since it’s a universal concern.
Here are two stories, both memoirs, but vastly different. One is a private personal story, the other a public personal story.
Ms. Maynard’s story opened with a failed marriage/bad divorce saga with adult children torn between the two parents, persistent anger and bitterness, and attempts to ease the pain with a series of bad choices in lovers. Equally sad was her telling of a complicated and ultimately failed adoption attempt.
Finally, she and we can breathe a sigh of relief when she meets a man and seems to have found true love at last. But that comes to an abrupt halt when he is diagnosed with cancer.
From then on she poignantly describes a life turned upside down as she enters new territory as a caregiver. As she relates how their lives changed, we the readers are changed also, learning to recognize what is truly important in life. As Ms. Maynard writes,
“success, money, beauty, passion, adventure, possessions- have become immaterial. Breathing would be enough.”
Read this book if you want your assumptions about life and death to be challenged and changed. You may read an excerpt at this link
Dr. Pietro Bartolo practices medicine on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa, in the Mediterranean Sea. Lampedusa, known for its friendly people, sunny skies, pristine beaches, and turquoise waters famous for fishing, seems an idyllic place to live, work, and visit.
But for the past 20 years, Dr.Bartolo has cared for not just residents and tourists, but for hundreds of refugees- people who risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean from northern Africa, fleeing poverty and political unrest. The lucky ones land on shore injured and sick. The unlucky ones wash ashore dead, having died en route or drowning after falling from a capsized or wrecked boat, sometimes only a few feet from shore.
In this memoir, Dr. Bartolo shares the stories of many of these people, giving them the names and faces that we don’t see watching news stories about the refugee crisis. He also shares his own life story of growing up on the island, leaving for medical school, and returning to raise a family and to practice medicine.
Dr. Bartolo’s story was also told in the documentary film FIRE AT SEA
He never expected to become the front-line help for hundreds of desperate people. With no specific training on how to manage an avalanche of desperate, sick, and injured refugees, and with little resources, he manages to put together a system for triaging, evaluating, and treating these people, then sending them on for more advanced medical care or to immigration centers in Europe.
For the less fortunate, he serves as medical examiner, to determine the cause of death for those who do not make it to Lampedusa alive; sometimes taking body parts to extract DNA to identify them, so families can be notified. He states he has never grown comfortable with this aspect of his job.
As a physician myself, I marvel at Dr. Bartolo’s caring and commitment to people who will never be able to repay him for his sacrifice. He approaches his work as a mission of mercy and treats every person with the utmost respect, no matter their circumstance. Some of the people he treats become almost like family; he has even tried to adopt a couple of orphaned children but cannot due to legalities.
Dr. Bartolo’s story reads like a conversation. I think you will like him, and admire him for his dedication and selfless service. His life should encourage all of us to consider what we can each do to lessen someone else’s suffering.
Another book review from Net Galley is at this link-
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Exploring the HEART of Health
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I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.
Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.
I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.
Dr. Aletha
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In this post I share experiences from visiting the Titanic museum and a subsequent cruise, emphasizing enhanced safety measures unlike those on the Titanic. Observations include thorough safety drills, food allergy considerations, hygiene protocols, and various activities available. While the cruise was enjoyable, potential health risks exist, including sun exposure and noise levels.
You’ve probably seen the movie, Titanic. I toured the Titanic museum in Branson, Missouri, a sobering experience. The loss of so many lives is staggering, especially since it should have been prevented with better preparation, including enough lifeboats for everyone on board.
The Titanic Museum, Branson, Missouri
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A Doctor Takes a Cruise
One summer I went on a cruise vacation which fared far better than the Titanic. This was the third cruise I have ever been on, but the last one was so long ago that I had forgotten some of the details.
(This is not a sponsored post, instead, there are affiliate links not connected with the cruise line. Using them does not cost you extra and will help fund this blog. Thank you. )
As a physician, I view experiences in medical terms. I was impressed with the rules and procedures that keep the guests and crew healthy and safe.
I’m not revealing the cruise line’s name, but it is one of the large, well-known ones, with a good reputation as far as I know. I can’t vouch that this cruise is typical of all cruise companies, so I offer these observations that you can consider if you ever go on a cruise.
Safety drill- lifeboats, jackets
Before the ship left the dock, we participated in a safety drill where we all had to assemble at our assigned stations where we would go in case of an emergency. Once there, the crew took roll by checking our ID cards (more on this later) to make sure we were all there.
We had life vests in our room and there would also be life vests at the stations in case we weren’t in our room at the time the alarm sounded. Unlike the Titanic, we were assured there was room on the lifeboats for everyone on board.
Security, photo ID, room key
Upon checking in, they issued us a photo ID card that was our room key and a charge card for onboard purchases. When we left the ship at the ports, we showed the card which was scanned, then showed it again to get back on the ship.
showing ID to return to the ship after a day in port
Children-arm bands
We weren’t traveling with children ourselves, but children wore armbands with identification in case they got separated from their parents.
Food allergies and preferences.
Food is plentiful on a ship and a wide variety of choices. Some venues are buffets but in the sit-down dining room, the wait staff always inquired about food allergies and special diet needs before we ordered our meal.
Outside of every food venue, there were containers and a crew member there to dispense it to you.
There were strict warnings about what not to put into the toilets. As we heard at the introductory session, “If one toilet on a cruise ship backs up, they all back up.” Not a pleasant thought.
A daily newsletter with cruise information and schedule was delivered to our cabin every day. This note about health was posted daily-
Medical experts tell us that the best way to prevent colds, flu, or gastrointestinal illnesses-such as Norovirus-is to simply wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. After restroom breaks and again before eating.
Should you experience any symptoms of gastrointestinal illness (vomiting, diarrhea) do not go to the ship’s medical facility. Call the medical staff for a complimentary consultation and treatment. A member of the medical staff will see you in your stateroom.
Medical facility on board
If you do need to go to the medical station, there is a doctor on duty for 3 hours in the morning and afternoon. (On a previous cruise, I visited the medical station for a tour. It looked modern and well-stocked.)
Smoking- designated areas only
Smoking is not allowed in any of the cabins or balconies, including electronic cigarettes. There were designated smoking areas outside and in the casino.
Here are some reminders on why it’s wise not to smoke-
If you wanted to exercise, there was ample opportunity.
Swimming and other water sports
A fully equipped gym
Rock climbing wall
Walking/jogging path outside.
Classes in yoga, stretching, cycling, and dance.
Competitions in volleyball, table tennis, dodgeball, basketball
Ice skating
Dance venues
Miniature golf
Beach theme mini golf
Spa Services
In addition to the usual spa services like hair and face treatments, they offered
Massage
Acupuncture
Teeth whitening
Anti-aging treatments
“Detox”
Potential health risks
Are there any aspects of a cruise experience that might be detrimental to one’s health? Consider these things.
Sun
This ship sailed in a tropical climate so there was ample sun, both while on the ship and in the tropical ports. So obviously there was a risk of sunburn, dehydration, and long-term development of skin cancer due to sun exposure. Sunscreen was a must if you stayed outside.
Noise
There were multiple musical venues on just about every deck, as well as the general noise generated by thousands of people. For people who have sensory issues to noise, sensitive ears, or hearing loss the noise level might be uncomfortable.
Motion
We were fortunate to have smooth sailing, except for a few hours when the sea was rough, which left me feeling off balance but not seasick. If you are highly sensitive to motion, sail on a small ship, or hit rough seas, you may get seasick, which is not pleasant.
Addictions-food, alcohol, gambling, shopping
If you tend to be compulsive or addicted to activities like eating, drinking alcohol, gambling, or spending money, a cruise may not be the best place to vacation.
Food is abundant, delicious, varied, and “free”- meaning it’s all-inclusive with the price you paid (although there were some special meal venues that cost extra.)
On the promenade there were food and shopping opportunities.
Alcohol purchase is not included in the cruise fare but is easily purchased in dining venues as well as bars. (However, they strictly enforced not providing alcohol to minors.)
Gambling was available in the centrally located casino, open from morning until late at night.
Shopping on the promenade and in the ports- clothes, jewelry, art, liquor, wine, souvenirs, and who knows what else.
The art gallery, where they had auctions every day
Meditation and Prayer
There were so many activities offered it was impossible to try them all. And there were places where one could escape for some quiet time to read, play a game, or just sit and enjoy the view.
The chapel offered a peaceful, quiet place for meditation.
Post Images
I took all of the photos in this post.
Exploring the HEART of Health
I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.
Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.
I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.
watercress words by Dr Aletha 