Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis

The author is called the benchmark storyteller of medical detective tales—and that’s exactly why she inspired and advised the creators of the “House, M.D.” series. After all, despite her vast experience and high qualification, as well as that of her colleagues, they constantly face mysteries: unexpected combinations of symptoms, whose cause isn’t always easy to find. A young man collapses on the dance floor after a festive birthday dinner because of unbearable stomach pain. A cheerful old woman suddenly stops taking care of herself and ends up in bed after squirrels take up residence in her attic. A young woman goes practically mad not long after her own happy wedding. A young teacher and an enthusiastic athlete, out of nowhere, almost dies from a formed blood clot. To help these people, doctors had to carry out a real investigation: prescribe dozens of scans and tests, wade through heaps of professional literature, and hold many consultations. You’ll find yourself in the place of the baffled doctors: you’ll see what they see, feel their hesitation, and experience their excitement when the mystery is solved.