What do you think?
Rate this book
Warrior Patient: How to Beat Deadly Diseases With Laughter, Good Doctors, Love, and Guts
Librarian's Note: this is an alternate cover edition - ASIN: B00NRX4WRE
People go to the hospital. People die. "Warrior Patient" tries to put as much distance as possible between those two sentences. The world we live in right now has the best doctors and the most advanced medical system that our civilization has ever known. Yet in the United States 100,000 patients die and nine million suffer injury every year because of medical mistakes. That comes from the Reuters' news wire. In this extraordinary age of medical miracles, patients continue to sink into the quicksand of "going to the hospital." We all know or have heard about someone who checked in for "normal" surgery which led to their death. A cartoon actually made a joke out of this. It shows a doctor in a laboratory surrounded by white lab rats. His wide eyes and smile suggest he is having a brilliant eureka moment. "We don't need better medicine," the doctor announces to his colleagues, "we need stronger lab rats." Like it or not, in our medical system, we are the lab rats. How else can you explain 100,000 deaths and nine million injuries every year? You are about to become part of a journey from medical dope to healthy hope. It lasts three years and includes cancer, kidney failure, dialysis, deadly infections, partial blindness, shingles, large open wounds, a hernia and a little amputation. In the midst of all that illness, you will laugh and learn how to become a much stronger lab rat. Warrior Patients take advantage of America's fabulous medical system. Warrior Patients do NOT get taken advantage of BY that system. The story unfolds with humor and an anecdote-rich honesty that captures characters, times, and places, from good doctors to bad ones, from childhood to old age, from Africa to Sweden. Upbeat suspense shines a light on what it takes to become a "Warrior Patient," to survive, to live again. Enjoy the trip.
People go to the hospital. People die. "Warrior Patient" tries to put as much distance as possible between those two sentences. The world we live in right now has the best doctors and the most advanced medical system that our civilization has ever known. Yet in the United States 100,000 patients die and nine million suffer injury every year because of medical mistakes. That comes from the Reuters' news wire. In this extraordinary age of medical miracles, patients continue to sink into the quicksand of "going to the hospital." We all know or have heard about someone who checked in for "normal" surgery which led to their death. A cartoon actually made a joke out of this. It shows a doctor in a laboratory surrounded by white lab rats. His wide eyes and smile suggest he is having a brilliant eureka moment. "We don't need better medicine," the doctor announces to his colleagues, "we need stronger lab rats." Like it or not, in our medical system, we are the lab rats. How else can you explain 100,000 deaths and nine million injuries every year? You are about to become part of a journey from medical dope to healthy hope. It lasts three years and includes cancer, kidney failure, dialysis, deadly infections, partial blindness, shingles, large open wounds, a hernia and a little amputation. In the midst of all that illness, you will laugh and learn how to become a much stronger lab rat. Warrior Patients take advantage of America's fabulous medical system. Warrior Patients do NOT get taken advantage of BY that system. The story unfolds with humor and an anecdote-rich honesty that captures characters, times, and places, from good doctors to bad ones, from childhood to old age, from Africa to Sweden. Upbeat suspense shines a light on what it takes to become a "Warrior Patient," to survive, to live again. Enjoy the trip.
- GenresMemoir
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2015
7 people are currently reading
536 people want to read
About the author
Temple Emmet Williams
7 books63 followersTemple is a journalist nominated twice for a Pulitzer, an author, a publisher, and a former editor of The Reader’s Digest. His award-winning books include Warrior Patient, Wrinkled Heartbeats, Poison Heartbeats, and
Warrior Patient Heartbeats.
He writes both non-fiction and fiction with humor and the quick, sharp punch of journalistic truth.
He writes both non-fiction and fiction with humor and the quick, sharp punch of journalistic truth.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 31, 2016
THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH: Primum Nil Nocere - First Do No Harm
To the extent that one could consider a book of near death experiences, grave illnesses, and medical mishaps interesting, this memoir surpasses all expectations. In addition to being extremely well-written, it is also a "How To" of medical self-advocacy. In this respect, it is a comprehensive guide for those readers who need to be hospitalized and for those seeking a new healthcare provider.
Through pain, weakness, accidents, injury, and diseases, the author, Temple Emmet Williams, never lost his wry sense of humor or his hope of recovery. He shares some very personal information with us, information that most would be loath to impart to strangers, which is to his credit because he is also a truthful warrior and professional writer who obviously believes in imparting the whole story, despite the embarrassment it may have been for him. Towards the end of the book, the author lists seventeen "Common sense rules in all Warrior Patient battles." These rules are references to the chapters in which they appear--sort of a mini-summary. I must say that I wholeheartedly agree with all of them and, at one time or another, have mentioned some of them to family and friends. Although Mr. Williams' rules should be obvious to all patients, unfortunately this is not the case; many unenlightened people choose healthcare providers and/or hospitals by proximity rather than performance.
Thanks to Mr. Williams, this can change and people can protect themselves and their loved ones by holding all healthcare personnel responsible for their actions or for lack of same.
Definitely a five star rating!
Phyllis Eisenstadt
To the extent that one could consider a book of near death experiences, grave illnesses, and medical mishaps interesting, this memoir surpasses all expectations. In addition to being extremely well-written, it is also a "How To" of medical self-advocacy. In this respect, it is a comprehensive guide for those readers who need to be hospitalized and for those seeking a new healthcare provider.
Through pain, weakness, accidents, injury, and diseases, the author, Temple Emmet Williams, never lost his wry sense of humor or his hope of recovery. He shares some very personal information with us, information that most would be loath to impart to strangers, which is to his credit because he is also a truthful warrior and professional writer who obviously believes in imparting the whole story, despite the embarrassment it may have been for him. Towards the end of the book, the author lists seventeen "Common sense rules in all Warrior Patient battles." These rules are references to the chapters in which they appear--sort of a mini-summary. I must say that I wholeheartedly agree with all of them and, at one time or another, have mentioned some of them to family and friends. Although Mr. Williams' rules should be obvious to all patients, unfortunately this is not the case; many unenlightened people choose healthcare providers and/or hospitals by proximity rather than performance.
Thanks to Mr. Williams, this can change and people can protect themselves and their loved ones by holding all healthcare personnel responsible for their actions or for lack of same.
Definitely a five star rating!
Phyllis Eisenstadt
September 17, 2015
Temple Emmet Williams’ “Warrior Patient” is a book everyone should read because it is a book about the tenacity and strength of the human spirit. This is a story about a man, an ex-Marine no less, who is suddenly faced with the one thing none of us want to hear: a diagnosis of cancer. He doesn’t cave in to fear or hopelessness. (I wasn’t surprised – I mean here was a Marine!) What did surprise me was the form his fight took. Rather than submit to what most of us would do, submit to all the normally prescribed procedures he decides to calmly research alternative options.
The rest of the book follows him through medical issue after medical issue over several years. Williams’ imbues these pages with real tension and sympathy. I found myself rereading passages and being floored by the strength it must have took to go through such an ordeal much less write about it. He never loses hope or even his sense of humor. I myself have medical issues of my own (I was diagnosed with a seizure disorder in my teen years) and as such I found the pages where he keeps searching for solutions, questioning treatments difficult to read and very accurate as it took many years to find the right treatment for me.
Before anyone is faced with their own medical issue or if you’ve known someone who has gone through a medical issue this is an absolute must read. Read it, reread it, give it to a loved one. It reads like a moral tale one that was hard one but ultimately that brings wisdom when it comes to medical treatment, the least expensive way to treat you and a long life.
The rest of the book follows him through medical issue after medical issue over several years. Williams’ imbues these pages with real tension and sympathy. I found myself rereading passages and being floored by the strength it must have took to go through such an ordeal much less write about it. He never loses hope or even his sense of humor. I myself have medical issues of my own (I was diagnosed with a seizure disorder in my teen years) and as such I found the pages where he keeps searching for solutions, questioning treatments difficult to read and very accurate as it took many years to find the right treatment for me.
Before anyone is faced with their own medical issue or if you’ve known someone who has gone through a medical issue this is an absolute must read. Read it, reread it, give it to a loved one. It reads like a moral tale one that was hard one but ultimately that brings wisdom when it comes to medical treatment, the least expensive way to treat you and a long life.
September 19, 2015
It breaks my heart as a nurse to read of the struggles that Tempest had to endure to provide us with such a poignantly detailed account of what should have been a common, routine procedure snowballing into a potentially life threatening disaster of medical mishaps, mistakes, and pure ineptness of medical society as it exists today. However, throughout his ordeal he prevails and becomes a true warrior with a mission to ensure others have the knowledge and "Warrior Patient Rules" on hand to tackle their own unwritten stories of perseverance, love, and above all else the will to beat a deadly disease and still be able to smile and have a few laughs along the way. Highly recommended to bring your spirits up while you may be facing your darkest times. Truly inspirational.
June 16, 2017
A subject I genuinely never thought I would enjoy reading about - the story of a man's journey through the treatment of his prostate cancer and his ensuing medical issues. Mr. Williams managed to make an unpleasant subject very humorous and entertaining. I found myself giggling madly (while also somehow cringing) at many points in the book - and that was certainly not something I would have expected upon purchasing it! After reading some of the horrible health experiences that Mr. Williams has suffered through with such grace, I am reminded not to take my health for granted. The book has plenty of life lessons in it, and should be read by anyone dealing with the crazy world of medical issues (a world in which we all will participate at some point in life).
A great writer, Mr. Williams brings the reader in to his experience with brilliance. I am left in awe of his strength and ability to overcome such tremendous health obstacles - he is truly a warrior. Here's to your continued good health Mr. Williams!
A great writer, Mr. Williams brings the reader in to his experience with brilliance. I am left in awe of his strength and ability to overcome such tremendous health obstacles - he is truly a warrior. Here's to your continued good health Mr. Williams!
May 18, 2015
The story of journalist-businessman Temple Williams's three-year journey navigating the treacherous waters of the modern medical system.
A cancer diagnosis is scary enough. What most of us don't expect is that our lives will be more endangered by the people and methods employed to cure us than by the disease itself. This is exactly what Temple Williams experiences when his prostate cancer leads to a three-year-long comedy of errors that includes massive infection, kidney failure, partial blindness, seeping open wounds, and on and on. Through his experience, Temple transformed from a passive receiver of medical wisdom to an active advocate for his own best interests--a Warrior Patient. His memoir tells his story and in the process offers hope and guidance to others who find themselves victimized at the most vulnerable time in their lives by the very system that is supposed to help them.
Though the subject matter is serious--and the details often raw and graphic--Williams tell his story with a surprising lightness. His rich humor and conversational style draws the reader in and keeps you with him even through the toughest parts of the narrative. And it gets really tough as combination of poor medical practices and inane miscommunication lead Williams to the brink of disability and death.
Chapter by chapter we are taken from a simple fall on the tennis court (that has repercussions that are anything but simple), step by step (or cock-up by cock-up) through Williams's saga. Interwoven with the main narrative are episodes from his life that show Williams is no stranger to life-threatening situations. As a young journalist in New York City, his undercover investigation of the subway police nearly got him killed. And in Africa, he had a close-up and personal introduction to a Malawian prison. After these close calls and several others, the last place he probably expected to face annihilation was in a urologist's office in Boca Raton, Florida.
Williams's close, quick-paced account reveals how much of patient care both in the hospital and out is arranged for the convenience of doctors and staff rather than in the best interests of the people they are supposed to be curing. For instance, catheterization is normally standard procedure upon admittance to the hospital, though it is often unnecessary and can lead to serious infection. Then there's the reluctance of medical professionals to actively communicate with patients. At its most innocent, this failure to engage can leave people confused and unsure as they struggle to understand the details of their condition. At worst it leaves them ignorant of their full range of treatment options and the possible negative, even devastating, side effects of those options.
Throughout the book, Williams offers tips to turn his readers into Warrior Patients. He demonstrates how vital it is that patients arm themselves with knowledge of their own condition and of the backgrounds of those they are trusting to treat them. Williams emphasizes each patient's right to demand honesty and competency from their medical professional...and to fire those professionals who fall short.
In closing, WARRIOR PATIENT is not only full of humor and riveting drama, it instructs and empowers readers how to--literally--fight for their lives in a medical system that considers those they serve more as economic units than as flesh and blood human beings.
A cancer diagnosis is scary enough. What most of us don't expect is that our lives will be more endangered by the people and methods employed to cure us than by the disease itself. This is exactly what Temple Williams experiences when his prostate cancer leads to a three-year-long comedy of errors that includes massive infection, kidney failure, partial blindness, seeping open wounds, and on and on. Through his experience, Temple transformed from a passive receiver of medical wisdom to an active advocate for his own best interests--a Warrior Patient. His memoir tells his story and in the process offers hope and guidance to others who find themselves victimized at the most vulnerable time in their lives by the very system that is supposed to help them.
Though the subject matter is serious--and the details often raw and graphic--Williams tell his story with a surprising lightness. His rich humor and conversational style draws the reader in and keeps you with him even through the toughest parts of the narrative. And it gets really tough as combination of poor medical practices and inane miscommunication lead Williams to the brink of disability and death.
Chapter by chapter we are taken from a simple fall on the tennis court (that has repercussions that are anything but simple), step by step (or cock-up by cock-up) through Williams's saga. Interwoven with the main narrative are episodes from his life that show Williams is no stranger to life-threatening situations. As a young journalist in New York City, his undercover investigation of the subway police nearly got him killed. And in Africa, he had a close-up and personal introduction to a Malawian prison. After these close calls and several others, the last place he probably expected to face annihilation was in a urologist's office in Boca Raton, Florida.
Williams's close, quick-paced account reveals how much of patient care both in the hospital and out is arranged for the convenience of doctors and staff rather than in the best interests of the people they are supposed to be curing. For instance, catheterization is normally standard procedure upon admittance to the hospital, though it is often unnecessary and can lead to serious infection. Then there's the reluctance of medical professionals to actively communicate with patients. At its most innocent, this failure to engage can leave people confused and unsure as they struggle to understand the details of their condition. At worst it leaves them ignorant of their full range of treatment options and the possible negative, even devastating, side effects of those options.
Throughout the book, Williams offers tips to turn his readers into Warrior Patients. He demonstrates how vital it is that patients arm themselves with knowledge of their own condition and of the backgrounds of those they are trusting to treat them. Williams emphasizes each patient's right to demand honesty and competency from their medical professional...and to fire those professionals who fall short.
In closing, WARRIOR PATIENT is not only full of humor and riveting drama, it instructs and empowers readers how to--literally--fight for their lives in a medical system that considers those they serve more as economic units than as flesh and blood human beings.
July 10, 2015
Temple Emmet Williams' "Warrior Patient" engrossed me totally from the first page. Here is a man in very good health who exercises daily and eats right, an ex-Marine with a wife he loves dearly - faced with a diagnosis of cancer. Like anyone would be, he was rocked back on his heels in disbelief. But instead of giving in to fear or immediately submitting to the "normal" procedures to take care of it, he decides to fight and research his options.
What follows is a hair raising (seriously, I had goosebumps and sometimes tears in my eyes!) story of seemingly endless medical issues (cancer, hernia, cataracts, MRSA, kidney failure, shingles) over a several year period. The author never lost his sense of humor, even during the darkest hours of having dialysis three times a week and developing a giant gaping infection on his backside. I can't imagine the courage it took him to keep looking for solutions, researching doctors, questioning treatments, and always exercising to keep his body strong enough to fight.
Part biography, part love story, part instructional how-to manual, this book is one that everyone should read *before* they are faced with a medical issue. The book is broken down into chapters, with an important lesson summarized at the end of each one. Knowing how to find a really excellent doctor (and identify a bad one), and learning how to listen to your body and help your doctor help you are skills that the medical and pharmaceutical industries won't teach you. You (or someone you love and trust) need to be your own advocate in the compartmentalized world of specialized doctors, insurance providers and hospitals - all of which are seeking the least expensive way to either treat you or ease you into death.
A few years ago, our teenage daughter had a very serious infection after a botched surgery, and nearly died. I stayed in her hospital room with her 24 hours a day for 10 days until she was able to come home, but I wish I had read Mr. Williams' book beforehand. He made excellent points about getting second opinions, not putting up with rude or callous nurses or lab people (I did almost punch one of the nurses in the nose), doing research about treatments and drug side effects, and making sure that every doctor you see (and there will be many) knows everything about your history and drugs you take.
I can't say enough about how great this book is. Despite the gruesome medical issues he describes, and his suffering, this is a book about hope, courage, wellness and humor in the face of pain. Read it, pass it along to someone else, and spread the word. You are your own best hope for prevention, excellent medical care when needed, and a long and healthy life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, for review purposes. I wasn't asked to leave a positive review, nor was I paid or compensated for giving my opinion. I give this book five stars for being humorous, empowering, honest, and hopeful. One of the best books I've read about taking charge of your health!
What follows is a hair raising (seriously, I had goosebumps and sometimes tears in my eyes!) story of seemingly endless medical issues (cancer, hernia, cataracts, MRSA, kidney failure, shingles) over a several year period. The author never lost his sense of humor, even during the darkest hours of having dialysis three times a week and developing a giant gaping infection on his backside. I can't imagine the courage it took him to keep looking for solutions, researching doctors, questioning treatments, and always exercising to keep his body strong enough to fight.
Part biography, part love story, part instructional how-to manual, this book is one that everyone should read *before* they are faced with a medical issue. The book is broken down into chapters, with an important lesson summarized at the end of each one. Knowing how to find a really excellent doctor (and identify a bad one), and learning how to listen to your body and help your doctor help you are skills that the medical and pharmaceutical industries won't teach you. You (or someone you love and trust) need to be your own advocate in the compartmentalized world of specialized doctors, insurance providers and hospitals - all of which are seeking the least expensive way to either treat you or ease you into death.
A few years ago, our teenage daughter had a very serious infection after a botched surgery, and nearly died. I stayed in her hospital room with her 24 hours a day for 10 days until she was able to come home, but I wish I had read Mr. Williams' book beforehand. He made excellent points about getting second opinions, not putting up with rude or callous nurses or lab people (I did almost punch one of the nurses in the nose), doing research about treatments and drug side effects, and making sure that every doctor you see (and there will be many) knows everything about your history and drugs you take.
I can't say enough about how great this book is. Despite the gruesome medical issues he describes, and his suffering, this is a book about hope, courage, wellness and humor in the face of pain. Read it, pass it along to someone else, and spread the word. You are your own best hope for prevention, excellent medical care when needed, and a long and healthy life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, for review purposes. I wasn't asked to leave a positive review, nor was I paid or compensated for giving my opinion. I give this book five stars for being humorous, empowering, honest, and hopeful. One of the best books I've read about taking charge of your health!
August 27, 2015
This book may have saved my life! Sure, maybe you assume that I'm speaking colloquialism, exaggerating, or WHATEVER -- but, it's true. I may not be typing this review right now, may not BE at all, if I had not been gifted this book.
I read the eBook version of Warrior Patient at a time when I needed it the most. I was depressed to the max. I'd just retired from my job after fifty-two long years. I'd dreamed of writing and promoting my fiction every day of each of those years, if I could only find the time to do so.
So what happened next? You guessed it -- health problems. Of course, I went to the doctor, lab, hospital for evaluation.... It seemed so unfair, I'd been cheated and was angry about it, after all.... I was such a mess that I gave up on my lifelong dream to become a successful writer.
Then I read Mr. William's book, the first book on health issues that I'd ever read. It was inspiring, hopeful, optimistic, logical, approachable, and by the time I'd finished the book I had an entirely different attitude about how to face my health issues. Although medical science may not agree, especially not my doctor who was so skeptical that I could bring down my blood pressure without continuing medication -- I had to prove her wrong -- I submit that my improved health was triggered by having read Warrior Patient.
It is so well written and easy to digest, not at all like I'd expected a book with the word "Patient" in its title to be like, that it deserves literary recognition as A Miracle of Modern Science.
I just entered the competition to get a free paperback of Warrior Patient. I consider Warrior Patient to be a reference book that one pulls from the shelf when most needed.
Warrior Patient is not like an escapist novel that helps one pretend that life's problems don't exist. A person can always wait, if need be, for batteries to recharge so as to resume escapism.
I want a paperback copy of Warrior Patient so that I don't have to depend on batteries, or a nurse to help me find an outlet to hook up a charger, and besides, the next time I'm in the hospital, a paperback of Warrior Patient would be a great thing to cuddle up with. The beds are too skinny for much of anything else.
I read the eBook version of Warrior Patient at a time when I needed it the most. I was depressed to the max. I'd just retired from my job after fifty-two long years. I'd dreamed of writing and promoting my fiction every day of each of those years, if I could only find the time to do so.
So what happened next? You guessed it -- health problems. Of course, I went to the doctor, lab, hospital for evaluation.... It seemed so unfair, I'd been cheated and was angry about it, after all.... I was such a mess that I gave up on my lifelong dream to become a successful writer.
Then I read Mr. William's book, the first book on health issues that I'd ever read. It was inspiring, hopeful, optimistic, logical, approachable, and by the time I'd finished the book I had an entirely different attitude about how to face my health issues. Although medical science may not agree, especially not my doctor who was so skeptical that I could bring down my blood pressure without continuing medication -- I had to prove her wrong -- I submit that my improved health was triggered by having read Warrior Patient.
It is so well written and easy to digest, not at all like I'd expected a book with the word "Patient" in its title to be like, that it deserves literary recognition as A Miracle of Modern Science.
I just entered the competition to get a free paperback of Warrior Patient. I consider Warrior Patient to be a reference book that one pulls from the shelf when most needed.
Warrior Patient is not like an escapist novel that helps one pretend that life's problems don't exist. A person can always wait, if need be, for batteries to recharge so as to resume escapism.
I want a paperback copy of Warrior Patient so that I don't have to depend on batteries, or a nurse to help me find an outlet to hook up a charger, and besides, the next time I'm in the hospital, a paperback of Warrior Patient would be a great thing to cuddle up with. The beds are too skinny for much of anything else.
December 4, 2017
Reviewed for Reader's Favorite
Warrior Patient: How to Beat Deadly Diseases With Laughter, Good Doctors, Love, and Guts by Temple Emmet Williams is a story about a person who finds himself diagnosed with prostate cancer. After a fall during a friendly tennis match, Temple Williams learns that he has prostate cancer. What follows is a series of events that reads like a comedy of errors, except that it involves a matter of life and death. After three years, he can play tennis regularly again, having won the war on cancer, catheters, infections, kidney failure, hernia, partial blindness, and MRSA, among others. This book tells how Temple Williams defeated his illnesses and transformed himself into a heroic warrior patient.
Sarcastic, funny, informative, inspirational, original, entertaining are just some of the words that can describe Warrior Patient. Written by Pulitzer Prize nominated Temple Emmet Williams, this is a book on how to become a warrior patient - a description he invented for people with a life-threatening disease who want to fight it.
Temple Williams has a mean and acerbic sense of humor, which is quickly apparent. What is less obvious is that he wants to inspire those who find themselves in a similar medical labyrinth. He wants them to continue fighting for their lives by providing them with an arsenal of hope, love and laughter. As such, this book raises itself to a whole new level, compared to the others of the same genre that sometimes sound like a host of unsolicited advice. Warrior Patient is a story written by a gifted writer and one that should be read by everyone because, after all, human illness is one of the most natural occurrences in the world.
Warrior Patient: How to Beat Deadly Diseases With Laughter, Good Doctors, Love, and Guts by Temple Emmet Williams is a story about a person who finds himself diagnosed with prostate cancer. After a fall during a friendly tennis match, Temple Williams learns that he has prostate cancer. What follows is a series of events that reads like a comedy of errors, except that it involves a matter of life and death. After three years, he can play tennis regularly again, having won the war on cancer, catheters, infections, kidney failure, hernia, partial blindness, and MRSA, among others. This book tells how Temple Williams defeated his illnesses and transformed himself into a heroic warrior patient.
Sarcastic, funny, informative, inspirational, original, entertaining are just some of the words that can describe Warrior Patient. Written by Pulitzer Prize nominated Temple Emmet Williams, this is a book on how to become a warrior patient - a description he invented for people with a life-threatening disease who want to fight it.
Temple Williams has a mean and acerbic sense of humor, which is quickly apparent. What is less obvious is that he wants to inspire those who find themselves in a similar medical labyrinth. He wants them to continue fighting for their lives by providing them with an arsenal of hope, love and laughter. As such, this book raises itself to a whole new level, compared to the others of the same genre that sometimes sound like a host of unsolicited advice. Warrior Patient is a story written by a gifted writer and one that should be read by everyone because, after all, human illness is one of the most natural occurrences in the world.
November 27, 2015
This Book May Save Your Life
What an eye-opener! Warrior patient was a huge wake-up call for me as it should be for anyone, like me, asleep at the wheel on the road to personal medical care. If you have any health woes whatsoever or a loved one that does, RUN- DO NOT WALK- to get this book. While “must read” is generally overused, it genuinely applies to Warrior Patient.
I have great admiration for the author/patient, Temple, for boldly airing his dirty laundry/aka health issues- the good, the bad and the ugly. Mostly ugly. Takes courage. You fall in love with him and his beloved Kerstin. And Temple’s delightful sense of humor is the spoon full of sugar that helps the medicine go down- the medicine being, for the reader, the stark truth that we must take full responsibility for our medical care. You love Temple and hate the Doctors that cause him harm. Shame on them. Yet in the book, we learn its shame on US for not doing our homework and researching just who we put in charge of our precious bodies. Temple learns the hard way. We learn from Temple. How many of us blindly trust our Doctors assuming they are Gods of sorts that can do no wrong? Temple’s cautionary tale shook me wide awake. It reminds me of the time I suffered greatly from a Doctor’s incompetence. Thanks to Temple, I am no longer naïve. There can be no doubt the reason Temple survived so many near misses with death is this book. He had to live to write it. For us. For our loved ones. To help us evolve, like him, from “medical dope to healthy hope”.
This is one of the most important books you will ever read. I am glad it found its way into my hands. Thank you, Temple. Five stars. -MayCay Beeler, award-winning author
What an eye-opener! Warrior patient was a huge wake-up call for me as it should be for anyone, like me, asleep at the wheel on the road to personal medical care. If you have any health woes whatsoever or a loved one that does, RUN- DO NOT WALK- to get this book. While “must read” is generally overused, it genuinely applies to Warrior Patient.
I have great admiration for the author/patient, Temple, for boldly airing his dirty laundry/aka health issues- the good, the bad and the ugly. Mostly ugly. Takes courage. You fall in love with him and his beloved Kerstin. And Temple’s delightful sense of humor is the spoon full of sugar that helps the medicine go down- the medicine being, for the reader, the stark truth that we must take full responsibility for our medical care. You love Temple and hate the Doctors that cause him harm. Shame on them. Yet in the book, we learn its shame on US for not doing our homework and researching just who we put in charge of our precious bodies. Temple learns the hard way. We learn from Temple. How many of us blindly trust our Doctors assuming they are Gods of sorts that can do no wrong? Temple’s cautionary tale shook me wide awake. It reminds me of the time I suffered greatly from a Doctor’s incompetence. Thanks to Temple, I am no longer naïve. There can be no doubt the reason Temple survived so many near misses with death is this book. He had to live to write it. For us. For our loved ones. To help us evolve, like him, from “medical dope to healthy hope”.
This is one of the most important books you will ever read. I am glad it found its way into my hands. Thank you, Temple. Five stars. -MayCay Beeler, award-winning author
November 25, 2015
Warrior Patient: How to Beat Deadly Diseases With Laughter, Good Doctors, Love, and Guts, by Temple Emmet Williams, is a memoirist's roadmap through the horrors and hilarity of fatal illnesses and modern medicine. His story brings to mind Shakespeare's observation: “What a piece of work is man,” and I mean that in every possible way. Using a second-person voice – the second person being you, literally – Williams draws you in, so that what is happening to him is somehow happening to you, too. As he takes you on his harrowing medical misadventure, you can't help be reminded that you are the temporary occupant of some mighty fragile materials, filled nonetheless with a stubborn and passionate will to live. Good thing it's funny. And it is; hilariously funny. It even has a love story, that of Williams and his Swedish-born wife of forty years, Kerstin. Through prostate cancer to kidney failure, MERSA, and a host of deadly hospital screw-ups, Kerstin's love and his own sardonic humor keep the award-winning author alive and me reading on, not wanting to miss a word he has to say. At times, like one of his favorite doctors, I felt heartbroken for his suffering, but his smart, determined, wise-guy self carried us both through to a hard-earned healthy ending. There is a bit of Bogart in Williams, and a whole lot of generous, pragmatic wisdom about how to empower yourself as a patient, how to ask for help from the right people, how to laugh through the worst of times, how to live your life with endless curiosity and love. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BOOK. I dare every doctor in America to put one in their waiting room.
March 10, 2017
I found this book to be very interesting and informative whether you are facing illness, disease or are perfectly healthy it is a book that can be useful to almost everyone. A man facing prostrate cancer opts for surgery to remove it and what happened to him was pretty horrible but contains lessons for us all and in his cleverly humorous book he shares those with us. His experience is in Florida, a state full of elderly people and an abundance of doctors ready to make $$$ of their many medial issues. Many doctors are nothing more than pill pushers and know little or nothing of what they prescribe. A primary care doctor gets money from referrals to specialists and there are a million specialties which is fine if the PC stays informed and oversees the overall care taking of the patient. One think the author left out of the book is: always have your pharmacist look over your prescriptions because he knows best which drugs work and play well with other drugs and which ones do the jog the patients needs it to do. My mother in law was on a great number of pills and she lived in Florida. Her son took all of them to the pharmacist who evaluated all of them and got her off a good many of them. This is a fairly quick read and well worth the time spent reading it.
January 7, 2016
I believe that "Warrior Patient" by Temple Emmett Williams is an important book for people facing illness, ie, EVERYONE, should read. Temple recounts his experience with a succession of bad encounters with the healthcare system with each encounter leading to a new illness. For 32 years I worked in acute and critical care as well as experienced chronic illness myself. I assure you that these scenarios are to be believed.
Seventeen principles for "warrior patients" are presented. Each shows how patients can empower themselves to get what they need from healthcare and avoid what they don't. Here is a summary of some of the most important concept.
Asking 'why' is critical; ask this whenever you don't understand a 'medical-speak' term or any explanation regarding your illness. The book excels by putting a consumer friendly definition after every medical term. Patients should ask for the simple definition of all medical terms.
Research your physicians. This can be done on many websites. Do not tolerate being treated badly by anyone, physicians or their staff. Do everything to improve your own health, both physical and mental. Ensure that all of your providers are aware of each other, all of the conditions you are or have been treated for, and all surgeries or medications.
The importance of this becomes clear through Temple's vivid anecdotes.
Seventeen principles for "warrior patients" are presented. Each shows how patients can empower themselves to get what they need from healthcare and avoid what they don't. Here is a summary of some of the most important concept.
Asking 'why' is critical; ask this whenever you don't understand a 'medical-speak' term or any explanation regarding your illness. The book excels by putting a consumer friendly definition after every medical term. Patients should ask for the simple definition of all medical terms.
Research your physicians. This can be done on many websites. Do not tolerate being treated badly by anyone, physicians or their staff. Do everything to improve your own health, both physical and mental. Ensure that all of your providers are aware of each other, all of the conditions you are or have been treated for, and all surgeries or medications.
The importance of this becomes clear through Temple's vivid anecdotes.
November 24, 2015
Warrior Patient details the medical journey of Temple Emmet Williams, from a fall on a tennis court to near-death experiences. It is told with dignity and grace and humor. Williams has a way of writing that draws the reader in. Once I started on the book, I didn't want to put it down. I found myself cheering him on and grinned every time the sarcasm/humor popped on the page. I sympathized with him because I know too well how much a doctor's lack of care and compassion can wreak havoc on someone's life. I was happy to discover that, after all the bungled mistakes made by the first round of medical caregivers, Williams was able to find a group of doctors that listened, worked together, and actually cared about him. I'm also glad he had such a strong, supportive wife to stand with him during all this. His love for her was evident throughout the book. The fact that Wiliams survived is a testament to his strength, courage, and support of those around him. I would recommend Warrior Patient to anyone who is going through their own medical journey, knows someone who is, or anyone wanting a light-hearted, pick-me-up survivor's tale.
July 12, 2015
First patient-authored book that is not only a joy to read but provides real guidance on how to travel the road to treatment ,survival and recovery in the complex world of the medical-business jungle. Temple Williams has constructed a readable manual for the patient that alerts us to the pitfalls of medical care in the present environment we are confronted with at every turn in the healthcare system. He makes you aware of what you need to look out for and how to get the care you need while keeping a watchful eye out for the shortcomings and errors that you may be confronted with. A must read for helpful advice in a hopeful setting.
October 25, 2015
The author uses humor to address a real life struggle that almost kills him. His experience with the medical system and doctors is all too accurate. Love the story. I could relate as I work in the medical field and see these kinds of things every day.
October 19, 2015
We are proud to announce that WARRIOR PATIENT by Temple Emmet Williams is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
January 6, 2017
I have brought this book up many times. Well written, yes, but an important read. You have to be an advocate for yourself and others around you. Read it!!!
May 20, 2017
"Warrior Patient Rule No. 1: Choose to live. Take personal responsibility for getting better. It is not your doctor's job. It is not God's job. It is your job. God and your doctors might help. And they might not."
This is the first rule Temple Williams gives in his often humorous, and even more often enraging, story of his three-year odyssey through the wilderness of serious illness and medical (in)competence. Diagnosed with prostate cancer while in his late 60s, Williams describes how a comedy of errors turns what should be a fairly routine procedure (prostate cancer, he notes, is the second-most-common cancer among men) into a multi-year nightmare of untreated infection, hernias, drug reactions, and eventually renal failure. Williams not only survives all this, but even, miraculously, returns to near full health. However, like many patients with serious illnesses, his faith in the American medical establishment is shaken. This book is the result of that, and is part an autobiographical tale of his own misadventures, and part a collection of tips and warning signs of bad doctors and bad practices, and how to avoid them.
But how was it possible for such a routine procedure to go so wrong, and why wasn't Williams more savvy at the outset? Part of the problem is that humans are fallible. And part of the problem is that, as Williams tells us, "It is easy to be stupid in an age of miracles. It can also be deadly." The reason is, he says, "Medicine is not magic, and doctors are not magicians. But in every culture, the medicine man assumes the mantle of an all-powerful demigod. As patients, we willingly raise them to that level with acclaim and applause. Bad doctors continue to bury their mistakes, and nobody hands out a Nobel Prize to patients who survive bad doctors." Everyone is looking for a quick and easy cure, and we've all been trained to defer to doctors and their authoritative manner, even when they know less about what's going on in our body than we do. Or when they don't care: some of the doctors Williams first sees don't do basic things like culture what turns into a serious MRSA infection, or check to make sure the drugs they're prescribing don't interact with the medication he's already taking. And then there are just silly mixups and a basic lack of communication: Williams's wife is diagnosed with ovarian cancer while this is going on, and no one bothers to call her back and tell her that the biopsy results were in fact negative; Williams himself shows up for an operation only to be told that the surgeon had cancelled it two days earlier.
This could be a depressing litany of medical malpractice, or an angry rant, but, while Williams is certainly outraged by some of the things that happen to him, the story is overall upbeat and full of humor, as he is not blind to the amusing side of all of this, and a good dose of competent doctors, fighting spirit, and plain old luck see him through. An entertaining story of one man's battle against the excesses of our modern-day idols, with suggestions on how to navigate the rocky waters of western medicine when you, too, fall into them.
This is the first rule Temple Williams gives in his often humorous, and even more often enraging, story of his three-year odyssey through the wilderness of serious illness and medical (in)competence. Diagnosed with prostate cancer while in his late 60s, Williams describes how a comedy of errors turns what should be a fairly routine procedure (prostate cancer, he notes, is the second-most-common cancer among men) into a multi-year nightmare of untreated infection, hernias, drug reactions, and eventually renal failure. Williams not only survives all this, but even, miraculously, returns to near full health. However, like many patients with serious illnesses, his faith in the American medical establishment is shaken. This book is the result of that, and is part an autobiographical tale of his own misadventures, and part a collection of tips and warning signs of bad doctors and bad practices, and how to avoid them.
But how was it possible for such a routine procedure to go so wrong, and why wasn't Williams more savvy at the outset? Part of the problem is that humans are fallible. And part of the problem is that, as Williams tells us, "It is easy to be stupid in an age of miracles. It can also be deadly." The reason is, he says, "Medicine is not magic, and doctors are not magicians. But in every culture, the medicine man assumes the mantle of an all-powerful demigod. As patients, we willingly raise them to that level with acclaim and applause. Bad doctors continue to bury their mistakes, and nobody hands out a Nobel Prize to patients who survive bad doctors." Everyone is looking for a quick and easy cure, and we've all been trained to defer to doctors and their authoritative manner, even when they know less about what's going on in our body than we do. Or when they don't care: some of the doctors Williams first sees don't do basic things like culture what turns into a serious MRSA infection, or check to make sure the drugs they're prescribing don't interact with the medication he's already taking. And then there are just silly mixups and a basic lack of communication: Williams's wife is diagnosed with ovarian cancer while this is going on, and no one bothers to call her back and tell her that the biopsy results were in fact negative; Williams himself shows up for an operation only to be told that the surgeon had cancelled it two days earlier.
This could be a depressing litany of medical malpractice, or an angry rant, but, while Williams is certainly outraged by some of the things that happen to him, the story is overall upbeat and full of humor, as he is not blind to the amusing side of all of this, and a good dose of competent doctors, fighting spirit, and plain old luck see him through. An entertaining story of one man's battle against the excesses of our modern-day idols, with suggestions on how to navigate the rocky waters of western medicine when you, too, fall into them.
July 25, 2018
I was not sure I was going to like this book . I work in the medical field and was curious about his experience. My transition to nursing was a second career in mid life from a desire to help people who are ill. I loved the insight. The book is full of medical information that is well researched. His experiences unfortunately is full of truth and fortunately he sprinkles it with humor and good advice. Although I am a Warrior RN, I have discovered I am not a Warrior Patient. THAT is going to change immediately!
December 1, 2017
I so appreciate the author's process of taking charge of his own health. Its not easy to face such serious health issues, especially when the outlook given is less than positive. Temple is an awesome example of how a person can change their own health with a change in attitude and a change in way of life. Thank you for sharing your story. (I finished this book several months ago, but I'm still impacted by the example he gave in writing his own "prescription" for good health.)
July 2, 2019
A captivating book! Temple Williams grabbed my attention from the start and never let it go. He is definitely a Warrior Patient! His ups and downs are met with a level head and a sense of humor.
September 24, 2016
This book was entered and was a Red Ribbon Winner in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Warrior Patient
Author: Temple Emmet Williams
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Style: 8/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 6/10
Of the 17 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
8 thought the cover was excellent.
3 felt the underlying humour helped a lot.
3 felt it was a little slow in parts.
13 felt it was inspirational.
Readers’ Comments
‘This is a very interesting read in a hundred different ways. I would recommend it to anybody with health problems but also to anybody with a keen interest in medical care and how to ‘keep well’.’ Female reader, aged 44
‘This is a fab read. It is best summed up with the old phrase ‘mind over matter’. I have very high regard for this author and the battle he won.’ Male reader, aged 54
‘I liked the Common Sense Rules at the end of the book. Good advice there.’ Male reader, aged 63
‘Interesting, often startling. Perfect for anybody who is trying to work out how to get the correct medical care.’ Male reader, aged 55
‘A little longwinded in parts. But informative. I lied the over too.’ Male reader, aged 36
The author attempts to keep up the humour in this book but it’s still depressing in many ways. Interesting, yes. But still depressing.’ Female reader, aged 29
‘If everybody was a Warrior Patient, the health service in the US and the UK would be a lot, lot better.’ Male reader, aged 62
‘Perfect for anybody lost in the maze of the medical system. Inspiring and educational! A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Warrior Patient
Author: Temple Emmet Williams
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Style: 8/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 6/10
Of the 17 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
8 thought the cover was excellent.
3 felt the underlying humour helped a lot.
3 felt it was a little slow in parts.
13 felt it was inspirational.
Readers’ Comments
‘This is a very interesting read in a hundred different ways. I would recommend it to anybody with health problems but also to anybody with a keen interest in medical care and how to ‘keep well’.’ Female reader, aged 44
‘This is a fab read. It is best summed up with the old phrase ‘mind over matter’. I have very high regard for this author and the battle he won.’ Male reader, aged 54
‘I liked the Common Sense Rules at the end of the book. Good advice there.’ Male reader, aged 63
‘Interesting, often startling. Perfect for anybody who is trying to work out how to get the correct medical care.’ Male reader, aged 55
‘A little longwinded in parts. But informative. I lied the over too.’ Male reader, aged 36
The author attempts to keep up the humour in this book but it’s still depressing in many ways. Interesting, yes. But still depressing.’ Female reader, aged 29
‘If everybody was a Warrior Patient, the health service in the US and the UK would be a lot, lot better.’ Male reader, aged 62
‘Perfect for anybody lost in the maze of the medical system. Inspiring and educational! A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
November 4, 2015
| HALL OF FAME | TOP 100 | VINE VOICE | reviewer at Amazon: "It is a wondrous book by a gifted gentleman who by the end of the book becomes our friend and confidant! Highly recommended." – Grady Harp
| TOP 500 | VINE VOICE | reviewer at Amazon: "One of the best books I've read about taking charge of your health!" – Lisa Kearns.
| TOP 100 | reviewer at Amazon: "This is one book which has gone on my book shelf for future reference .... A resounding well done to the author!” – Brett H
| TOP 100 | reviewer at Amazon: "This type of book deserves its own specific genre. Great book!" – Aifa
| VINE VOICE | reviewer at Amazon: “A work of knowledge and hope; this one will inspire and inform. Highly recommended.” – John Green
| TOP 500 | VINE VOICE | reviewer at Amazon: "One of the best books I've read about taking charge of your health!" – Lisa Kearns.
| TOP 100 | reviewer at Amazon: "This is one book which has gone on my book shelf for future reference .... A resounding well done to the author!” – Brett H
| TOP 100 | reviewer at Amazon: "This type of book deserves its own specific genre. Great book!" – Aifa
| VINE VOICE | reviewer at Amazon: “A work of knowledge and hope; this one will inspire and inform. Highly recommended.” – John Green
July 9, 2016
Warrior Patient is a compelling read and comprehensive story of a journey through one medical issue after another. A warrior patient learns to research and to ask questions, to never give up, to inject humor where there might be tears. Fortunately, it has a happy ending.
Listen to your body. Sometimes that works well only when it’s already too late. This story proves that a tenacious positive mindset is critical to healing and health and that advocating for yourself with the medical professionals is required. The author shares his medical journey, as well as stories from his life that show how his character was developed. His journey inspires, educates and entertains. I will be reading more of his work.
Listen to your body. Sometimes that works well only when it’s already too late. This story proves that a tenacious positive mindset is critical to healing and health and that advocating for yourself with the medical professionals is required. The author shares his medical journey, as well as stories from his life that show how his character was developed. His journey inspires, educates and entertains. I will be reading more of his work.
January 18, 2017
Should be a required reading for doctors
Temple does a wonderful job of describing his view of the medical profession and feelings as a warrior patient.
As a retired physician I found the book enlightening.
Temple does a wonderful job of describing his view of the medical profession and feelings as a warrior patient.
As a retired physician I found the book enlightening.
April 10, 2017
Great book!
April 17, 2017
This book received a B.R.A.G. Medallion from the Books Readers Recognition Group. WordsAPlenty received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
All too often we find ourselves or our loved ones in a medical situation that has gone from ok to deadly. You are at a loss as to what questions to ask, what to do and if you should even be questioning someone who obviously should know more than you do. Temple Emmett Williams has been there as well but he has laid out his three year struggle with the medical world in a clear and down-to-earth way.
His connection with the readers is two-fold – the incidents described in this book could happen to anyone and there is a shared emotional feeling of being lost and “how did I get here?” The emotional tug of this book is real and almost tangible. Each person that reads this book will recognize or relate to one or two different situations.
When my father was hospitalized, and had been in a medical induced coma for almost three weeks. A doctor came in and asked both me and my mom why dad was still unconscious. I thought that was a weird comment on his part but when he started telling us to wake dad up and not let the nurses give him anything else … well, like Williams, I was at a loss.
My mother, like many of her generation, refused to ask questions “because the doctor should know.” But as with Williams, she too discovered to ask questions and be aggressive. William’s experiences and struggles to survive, the emotions he felt and those of his wife – they are real. They cannot be dismissed. This book is invaluable to anyone who may need to see a doctor or who may have a potentially life threatening medical situation. I wish I had had the fortitude to question the doctors over my mom’s beliefs, perhaps the outcome might have been different.
Amidst the struggle to survive, Williams shows devotion to and by his wife of many years. This book is much more than an educational book, it is a comfort, it is a love-story, it is important. Temple captures the reader’s attention with his writing style. There is no angry face turning blue rant, there is no vengeful vendetta against any one person – instead he tells of his experiences with a witty sardonic yet cheerful manner. Yes, it is mind boggling that one moment all is fine and then suddenly you are at deaths door; but it happens, it truly does.
Well written, clear, and mesmerizing. I found myself unable to put his book down once I started reading it. There were so many connections and incidents I could connect with that I couldn’t put it down if I had wanted.
WordsAPlenty awards this book with a strong 5-star rating and a recommendation to read this book now, not tomorrow or the next day but now.
All too often we find ourselves or our loved ones in a medical situation that has gone from ok to deadly. You are at a loss as to what questions to ask, what to do and if you should even be questioning someone who obviously should know more than you do. Temple Emmett Williams has been there as well but he has laid out his three year struggle with the medical world in a clear and down-to-earth way.
His connection with the readers is two-fold – the incidents described in this book could happen to anyone and there is a shared emotional feeling of being lost and “how did I get here?” The emotional tug of this book is real and almost tangible. Each person that reads this book will recognize or relate to one or two different situations.
When my father was hospitalized, and had been in a medical induced coma for almost three weeks. A doctor came in and asked both me and my mom why dad was still unconscious. I thought that was a weird comment on his part but when he started telling us to wake dad up and not let the nurses give him anything else … well, like Williams, I was at a loss.
My mother, like many of her generation, refused to ask questions “because the doctor should know.” But as with Williams, she too discovered to ask questions and be aggressive. William’s experiences and struggles to survive, the emotions he felt and those of his wife – they are real. They cannot be dismissed. This book is invaluable to anyone who may need to see a doctor or who may have a potentially life threatening medical situation. I wish I had had the fortitude to question the doctors over my mom’s beliefs, perhaps the outcome might have been different.
Amidst the struggle to survive, Williams shows devotion to and by his wife of many years. This book is much more than an educational book, it is a comfort, it is a love-story, it is important. Temple captures the reader’s attention with his writing style. There is no angry face turning blue rant, there is no vengeful vendetta against any one person – instead he tells of his experiences with a witty sardonic yet cheerful manner. Yes, it is mind boggling that one moment all is fine and then suddenly you are at deaths door; but it happens, it truly does.
Well written, clear, and mesmerizing. I found myself unable to put his book down once I started reading it. There were so many connections and incidents I could connect with that I couldn’t put it down if I had wanted.
WordsAPlenty awards this book with a strong 5-star rating and a recommendation to read this book now, not tomorrow or the next day but now.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews