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On Borrowed Breath: A memoir of faith, love and advocating through a health crisis
This is the reality that I found myself in when tragedy struck. Join me in my public and private battle for my husband’s life and career through the story of On Borrowed Breath. Diagnosed with COVID-19, Dr. David Wilkinson, my husband and an otherwise-healthy, 50-year-old surgeon, was suddenly fighting for his life. Placed on life support and given an almost zero chance of recovery, I had to champion his cause and not give up when the odds were against him waking up. Relying on my faith and the support of praying friends, I found myself needing to make life and death decisions. Should I withdraw life support or fight for my husband’s slim chance of survival through a double lung transplant? A story of love, perseverance and enduring faith against all odds, this book is for anyone who has been through something larger than themselves, including navigating a major health crisis. May my story offer you strength, love, and hope — no matter what situation you are battling.
304 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 1, 2023
Inspiring, Captivating, Touching!
I couldn't put this book down!
This book chronicles one man's journey through a nightmare caused by Covid. Previously healthy, David Wilkinson was sent reeling into pulmonary failure after a serious bout with the Delta variant. Month after month of one devastation after another. This memoir gives a daily accounting of what transpired and how his devoted wife, Karen, fought as his advocate. A health care worker herself, she championed his cause one relentless day after another. Her anchor was her unwavering faith. It was truly inspiring to see seeds of gratitude emerge during the most difficult of times.
Eventually, David needed a double lung transplant. I am a nurse practitioner, but still had no idea what is involved in transplant of a major organ, much less two. It's far more involved that I ever imagined. The chapter David wrote is extremely touching and gives his perspective. Their journey highlights what's truly important. Hit with one major onslaught after another (and not just medical), this couple stayed unified in their love and outlook to achieve the victory. The ending is transformational.
This couple's story shows faith in action. It is packed with scripture and references to God, which I appreciated. It is a book everyone should read. I feel stronger and much more informed after reading this book. Thank you, Karen, for being vulnerable and transparent to share your fears, anger, and all the other emotions this level of stress exposed. I simply cannot imaging going through this much trauma.
I highly recommend On Borrowed Breath. I would give it 10 stars if I could!
I couldn't put this book down!
This book chronicles one man's journey through a nightmare caused by Covid. Previously healthy, David Wilkinson was sent reeling into pulmonary failure after a serious bout with the Delta variant. Month after month of one devastation after another. This memoir gives a daily accounting of what transpired and how his devoted wife, Karen, fought as his advocate. A health care worker herself, she championed his cause one relentless day after another. Her anchor was her unwavering faith. It was truly inspiring to see seeds of gratitude emerge during the most difficult of times.
Eventually, David needed a double lung transplant. I am a nurse practitioner, but still had no idea what is involved in transplant of a major organ, much less two. It's far more involved that I ever imagined. The chapter David wrote is extremely touching and gives his perspective. Their journey highlights what's truly important. Hit with one major onslaught after another (and not just medical), this couple stayed unified in their love and outlook to achieve the victory. The ending is transformational.
This couple's story shows faith in action. It is packed with scripture and references to God, which I appreciated. It is a book everyone should read. I feel stronger and much more informed after reading this book. Thank you, Karen, for being vulnerable and transparent to share your fears, anger, and all the other emotions this level of stress exposed. I simply cannot imaging going through this much trauma.
I highly recommend On Borrowed Breath. I would give it 10 stars if I could!
June 3, 2026
I found myself rolling my eyes quite a bit while reading this. This didn’t read as a story of advocacy and strength but rather had an overwhelming sense of entitlement and abuse of status. It felt like a subtle brag at times of who you are and who you know. Even the religious undertones felt forced and a little “woo-woo” and I’m saying that as a Christian. Also reading this as a respiratory therapist myself, I found it hard sometimes to follow along. Is he sedated/ awake, on the ventilator/ off the ventilator? Some of the story just didn’t make sense to me in that regard. But I can also understand that retelling such a stressful story, all details are in your mind and not necessarily translated onto the page, which unfortunately leads to some holes for the reader who was not there.
July 24, 2023
I could not put this book down. I went through covid just a few weeks after. They told my husband at least 3 times that I would not make it through the night. I was in a coma for more than 2 months. I got to see their story from the caregivers side. It really opened my eyes. I joke that I was just sleeping, just the pain my family went through was so much trauma. This book truly has a special place in my heart.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews