Sick Girl

By: Amy Silverstein

Narrated by: Eileen Stevens

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

The publication of Sick Girl garnered tremendous attention, generated impressive sales, and ignited controversy. Both inspiring and provocative, reactions to the book ranged from inflammatory posts on a US News & World Report blog to hundreds of letters to a full-page review in People. Amy's force, her candor, and her refusal to be the thankful patient from whom we expect undiluted gratitude for the medical treatments that have extended her life have put her at the center of a debate on patient rights and the omnipotent power of doctors.

At 24 Amy was a typical type-A law student: smart, driven, and highly competitive. With a full course load and a budding romance, it seemed nothing could slow her down...until her heart began to fail. Amy chronicles her harrowing medical journey from the first misdiagnosis to her astonishing recovery, which is made all the more dramatic by the romantic bedside courtship with her future husband and her uncompromising desire to become a mother.

In her remarkable book she presents a patient's perspective with shocking honesty that allows the listener to live her nightmare from the inside - an unforgettable experience that is both disturbing and utterly compelling.

©2007 Amy Silverstein. Recorded by arrangement with Grove Atlantic, Inc. (P)2015 Audible Inc.

One male voice

Good book and I mostly didn't mind the voicing, except for the fact that every male character has the same sarcastic sounding voice. Really started to get to me toward the end of the book!

Mixed feelings

First, I really am sorry to hear that the author did lose her life recently, to something common in transplant patients.
Her railing against what has happened to her is honest but she comes across as such a thoroughly unpleasant person, it's difficult to have sympathy. She has had a rich life and seems unaware of it. I have a sneaky suspicion that she was and would have been unpleasant even without the transplant. Even her father, who loved and supported her, bailed on her momentarily due to her behavior. The medical profession is not perfect but her disrespect is so shocking, I couldn't tell if she was serious or yanking our chains. With all that said, a lot of readers will find value here. The narrator was very good.

Transplant too

I am a 2001 kidney transplant person. Although Amy went thru a lot more than ihave there were several parts I could relate to. She put into words some of my feelings. The kidney has failed and I am looking for another.

Nurse perspective

I saw a commentary from Amy weeks before she passed away. She used her last breaths to advocate for improving post transplant life and treatment. I immediately wanted to read the book. As a nurse, I think patients need to tell the truth to us. They don’t need to always be strong and brave. They don’t need to be happy and thankful. It is perfectly alright to voice concerns and disappointment. I hope that because of her honesty and her willingness to put it out there, better treatment for post transplant care will happen. This story is raw, it is harsh at times but it is real and it was hers to tell.
Thank you, Amy may you no longer be a “Sick Girl”

Personal story of long term illness

I enjoyed this very personal account of the author’s challenges and tenacity in addressing cardiac disease and receiving a transplant. I would have preferred a more focused narration without all the character voices for the author, Scott, Dr. Davis, Casey, nurses and others. I felt the variety of character voices detracted from the story, and in the case of the author’s voice, added an edge to her tone that was at times unpleasant and wouldn’t have been there if I just read the book.

I really wanted to find this memoir meaningful,,,

Just too self centered a heroine. Likeany others, it was cringe worthy at times.

Can't decide....

I appreciate the voice she gives to the chronically ill patient... however, she behaves terribly to the medical staff that saved her life... and gave her life with her child. Is there some sort of law that doctors are supposed to be able to save everyone and fix everything? Her POV comes off as childish. My husband is chronically ill, has been since he was 7, takes immunosuppresive drugs- has scans and drs appointments and surgeries all the time... he has never behaved like this to the people who are trying (with the best that modern medicine has to offer) to help him.