Gone In A Heartbeat

A Physician's Search for True Healing

De: Dr. Neil Spector

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Dr. Neil Spector, one of the nation’s top oncologists, led a charmed life. He was educated at prestigious universities, trained at top medical centers, and had married the woman of his dreams. It seemed too perfect. And it was. In 1994, it all came crashing down. He and his wife lost two unborn children. And a mysterious illness brought him to the brink of death. In his compelling memoir, Gone in a Heartbeat, Dr. Spector describes in great detail how he was misdiagnosed and, despite being a medical insider, was often discounted by his fellow physicians. As he recounts his own unorthodox approach to medicine and physician/patient relationships, Dr. Spector encourages readers to never surrender their power to a third party. He tells of courageous patients who served as role models, he concedes that doctors do a disservice to patients when “we treat them like statistics,” and he advocates for educated patients who can make informed decisions collaboratively and not simply follow instructions. In Dr. Spector’s words: “To recognize that we are in control of our own bodies and destinies can be a powerful step toward true healing.” Readers of Gone in a Heartbeat will never view the medical profession the same again.

Would be better if read by the author.

I found the content of the story, and relevance to my own struggles with PTLDS from undiagnosed Lyme disease interesting, but the AI reading tends to cheapen the story when it cannot differentiate between IV (for intravenous) and the Roman numeral "4" when found in the story.
I wasn't too fond of the way the story ended, as it left me asking if the author died, or why it started & ended so abruptly. A more natural lead-in and ending, or a final summary might better finish off this tedious work of literacy as it obviously used compiled notes over several years of struggles that others might benefit from, if they find themselves in the same position at some point. The struggle must have been unimaginable. Thanks for the content!

the truth for all patients with Lyme Disease

As a Lyme Disease patient myself, I enjoyed this story and the honest sharing from a Physician of his struggles in the Healthcare system. I appreciated his candid approach to the facts and his own internal struggles. I wished the ending of how he died was clear, as it leaves you hanging.

The AI voice chosen for this audio book sounded like someone giving a lecture and the tone was grave 99% of the time. The lack of correctly saying Dr Perfect as Drive Perfect or PICU as pick two and many others was frustrating. The audio voice gets 1☆. the story 5☆s.

Please Note Chapter 29 is missing.

great read, virtual narrator is not great but tolerable

what an awesome human Neil is! happy to have gotten a glimpse of his life. the good and the bad

The AI voice ruins the experience...

Great story, well written. The AI voice doesn't pronounce medical terminology correctly and should be used for things with no technical acronyms or terms. The OR (operating room) was just awkwardly called or. Blood type AB, also mispronounced, and many others...