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Life in the Balance: A Physician's Memoir of Life, Love, and Loss with Parkinson's Disease and Dementia
By Thomas GraboysPeter Zheutlin ( Union Square Press )
Release Date: 2008-04-01
Average Customer Rating:
List Price: $19.95
Price: $13.57
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Product Description
At the age of 49, Dr. Thomas Graboys had reached the pinnacle of his career and was leading a charmed life. A nationally renowned Boston cardiologist popular for his attention to the hearts and souls of his patients, Graboys was part of “The Cardiology Dream Team” summoned to treat Boston Celtics star Reggie Lewis after he collapsed on the court in 1993.  He had a beautiful wife, two wonderful daughters, positions on both the faculty of Harvard Medical School and the staff of Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a thriving private practice.
Today, Grayboys is battling a particularly aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease and progressive dementia, and can no longer see patients or give rounds.  He is stooped, and shuffles when he walks, the gait of a man much older than his 63 years. Despite the physical, mental and emotional toll he battles daily, Graboys continues his life-long mission of caring for the world one human being at a time by telling his story so that others may find comfort, inspiration, or validation in their own struggles.
This is an unflinching memoir of a devastating illness as only a consummate physician could write it. One can’t help but imagine what Dr. Graboys, the healer, would say to Tom Graboys, the patient—a face-to-face scene imagined in this inspiring book.  In his joint roles, Thomas Graboys finds a way to convey hope, optimism and an appreciation of what it means to be truly alive.

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Product Reviews:
  anyone with parkinsons should read it.  
my husband has parkinsons with dementia and i have been reading it to him. he has related to most of the things the Dr. has told of his experienced. i feel it has made him feel better about himself. i must say i feel the same because i am his caretaker and i see this everyday. anyone with parkinsons or anyone that has someone with parkinsons should pick up this book and read it. sincerly. L. Holt
  INTENSE 
THis is a very factual and intense book. It was well written and will most definitely hold your attention.

Being a medical professional, I was very engaged the moment I saw Dr. Grabys and his wife on the news media.

I was moved to buy his story of this debilitating disease that has stolen his life and career. It is very much worth reading, and i applause Dr. Grabys for his honesty and willingness to share with everyone how this devastating disease has affected his life.
  The answers I was looking for..... 
My husband has both Lewy Body dementia and Parkinsons. It was so helpful to me, and to my husband to learn more about these diseases from someone who has them also. First hand information and experiences are far above all the doctors input and other books. Thanks to Dr.Graboys for taking the time to help others while in the midst of his own debilitation.
We are truly grateful.
Dolores Schroeder
  Fellow-traveler 
This story parallels my own experience with Parkinson's Disease in several ways. My journey with PD began about the same time as the author's. In addition, we are the same age. I appreciated his candor and honesty in expressing his thoughts and feelings about the disease. I intend to use several portions he wrote to communicate my feelings to my own family. Often it is difficult to express myself in ways that they can understand. I feel fortunate not to have Lewy Body Disease as well as PD. His life is much more challenging than mine because of that factor.I am also thankful that my faith in God assures me of my final destination in heaven where there will be no more disease or pain. Darlene Palermo

  Doctor learns how to be a patient 
The author is a top cardiologist, famed in the medical field. Suddenly he finds himself displaying symptoms of an unknown disease. Like many of us, his first step is denial. When he starts exhibiting a worsening of his symptoms, he can no longer ignore the disease. For those not in the profession, this is an eye-opener. Somehow, we feel that doctors are super-humans. This story shows us the opposite. Parkinson's is progressive and unrelenting; knowing how it will end us heartbreaking. Having this man write about it reveals the depths of his personality and soul. I recommend this book to all; none of us is immune to death!