Chasing My Cure

by David Fajgenbaum

Release Day is September 10, 2019.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a digital ARC.

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 the latest in fascinating reads. 

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Here’s my latest review. 

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Why this is a Fascinating Read

David Fajgenbaum was a former Georgetown quarterback nicknamed the Beast in medical school, where he was also known for his unmatched mental stamina. But things changed dramatically when he began suffering from inexplicable fatigue. In a matter of weeks, his organs were failing and he received his last rites. Doctors were baffled by his condition, which they had yet to even diagnose. Floating in and out of consciousness, Fajgenbaum prayed for the equivalent of a game day overtime: a second chance.
Miraculously, Fajgenbaum survived—only to endure repeated near-death relapses from what would eventually be identified as a form of Castleman disease, an extremely deadly and rare condition that acts like a cross between cancer and an autoimmune disorder. When he relapsed while on the only drug in development and realized that the medical community was unlikely to make progress in time to save his life, Fajgenbaum turned his desperate hope for a cure into concrete action. His incredible story demonstrates the potency of hope, and what can happen when the forces of determination, love, family, faith, and serendipity collide.

“An extraordinary memoir . . . It belongs with Atul Gawande’s writings and When Breath Becomes Air.”—Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals

“A page-turning chronicle of living, nearly dying, and discovering what it really means to be invincible in hope.”—Angela Duckworth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Grit

JENA’S REVIEW

Chasing My Cure: A Doctor’s Race to Turn Hope Into Action; A Memoir by David Fajgenbaum

“Fear disintegrates. Doubt disorganized. Hope clears the way…”

So writes Dr. David Fajgenbaum, the author of a truly heroically inspiring book. Part romance, part medical thriller, and all memoir and true, this book will leave you in awe. How the Beast of football became the Beast of rare diseases is incredible.

David played Division I college football. His mother died of brain cancer while he was still in college and it understandably rocked him. He vowed to become a doctor to fight cancer. And then he ended up becoming a doctor to fight his own rare disease. While still in medical he became alarmingly ill. Fatigue and unwellness quickly changed to a failure of his major organs. Was it cancer?

No, his diagnosis, which took awhile, turned out to be Castleman’s Disease, first discovered in 1954. Only one drug was available, and that drug didn’t help David. He suffered through 4 more agonizing relapses, where he was near death and given last rites.

David decided to use his hyper focused thinking skills to research and defeat Castleman’s. In the book, he tells of his disease, treatments, and how he established the Castleman’s Disease Collaborative Network. He first became ill in 2010, and he has all ready accomplished so much. His research has now given him 5 years without a relapse. And his organization has changed the way rare disease research and funding is handled. “I became invincible in hope only after I realized I was called to act …on my hope.”

Also since 2010, he married his true love and they had a baby in 2018! He noted that his “experience has liberated me to follow my passions. I have an incredible sense of purpose now.” Be sure to read his biography at the end of the book- well-done Dr. Fajgenbaum.
You can learn more about Castleman’s and rare disease research at https://www.cdcn.org/

The author writes with a clear and energized style. He makes the medical parts easy to understand. I will pray for him and his family that they can continue to stay strong.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

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