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Things That Matter: Stories of Life & Death: What Makes Us Go and What Makes Us Stop
'David Galler also shows rare courage in weaving his own, personal stories into his teaching about the technologies of care. This book will equally deepen the awareness of clinicians and enlighten the lay reader. It is a gift to both.' Donald M. Berwick, MD, MPP
In this highly articulate, down-to-earth, generous book, Dr David Galler tells stories of life and death from his position as Intensive Care specialist at Middlemore Hospital. Written lyrically and warmly, these stories are based on real life events describing the everyday dilemmas and challenges that doctors and patients commonly face.
It aims to explain and demystify much of the work doctors do, cast light on the workings of the medical establishment and how medicine operates, in the hope that it will encourage patients to seek to be better informed and play a greater role in the decisions that will affect them and their loved ones.
It speaks to the resilience of individuals and families and their extraordinary generosity and dignity under the most extreme pressure. This book is about realistic optimism and is a celebration of life.
It is also a very personal story about David Galler's life, his family and about his own slow coming of age as a doctor, from the sadness and helplessness he felt about his father's death to at last feeling that he was of some use to his most important patient, his mother.
In this highly articulate, down-to-earth, generous book, Dr David Galler tells stories of life and death from his position as Intensive Care specialist at Middlemore Hospital. Written lyrically and warmly, these stories are based on real life events describing the everyday dilemmas and challenges that doctors and patients commonly face.
It aims to explain and demystify much of the work doctors do, cast light on the workings of the medical establishment and how medicine operates, in the hope that it will encourage patients to seek to be better informed and play a greater role in the decisions that will affect them and their loved ones.
It speaks to the resilience of individuals and families and their extraordinary generosity and dignity under the most extreme pressure. This book is about realistic optimism and is a celebration of life.
It is also a very personal story about David Galler's life, his family and about his own slow coming of age as a doctor, from the sadness and helplessness he felt about his father's death to at last feeling that he was of some use to his most important patient, his mother.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2016
22 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 6, 2020
I read this book before my ICU run. David Galler is a hero of mine. His wide reaching memoir covers a life in ICU, the challenges he's faced and the changes he's seen in medical practice.
A favourite quote, on the placement of doctors in different hospitals in the Auckland Area Health Board: "He immediately saw that I was a Middlemore man, ready to do G-d's work in South Auckland... I certainly wasn't a pointy headed Professor in heels"
As a memoir it is ecclectic and honest and it wrapped me up in it's arms. A warm hug. The things that matter: family, friends, and being a good human. A wholehearted recommendation from me.
A favourite quote, on the placement of doctors in different hospitals in the Auckland Area Health Board: "He immediately saw that I was a Middlemore man, ready to do G-d's work in South Auckland... I certainly wasn't a pointy headed Professor in heels"
As a memoir it is ecclectic and honest and it wrapped me up in it's arms. A warm hug. The things that matter: family, friends, and being a good human. A wholehearted recommendation from me.
August 3, 2018
A doctor recounts some stories from his medical career.
The majority of this book was a bit of a mess (some interesting sections but a lot of waffle), but the last chapter on his mother was very effective.
The majority of this book was a bit of a mess (some interesting sections but a lot of waffle), but the last chapter on his mother was very effective.
June 11, 2024
Real good book - family story, about hospitals and intensive care, and population health. Not good for hypochondria!
May 7, 2017
A wonderful read - bore some resemblance to Atul Gawande's Being Mortal, but with a New Zealand spin. Highly recommended!
May 16, 2017
It was an interesting book but I found the narrative a bit choppy.
January 4, 2021
Great book. Bit too close to home though. But yes seeing so much death really reminds you to concentrate on the things that matter
November 7, 2022
Enjoyable read, interesting subjects at least to me as I work in the NZ health care sector, and well written especially compared to other medical memoirs that somehow manage to get published!
I particularly enjoyed the last chapter and learning about his Mums experience and life. Although Dr Galler didn’t make this point, as I read about her I found myself grieving all the futures, the careers, the children and grandchildren lost because of the Holocaust. Dr Galler’s mum survived Auschwitz as a child and went on to raise a very successful doctor who saved many lives in his career. How many other potential children of the victims were lost - doctors, inventors, mothers and fathers. Every life stolen is an entire future of impact stolen. Just a thought, but a lot to ponder there.
I particularly enjoyed the last chapter and learning about his Mums experience and life. Although Dr Galler didn’t make this point, as I read about her I found myself grieving all the futures, the careers, the children and grandchildren lost because of the Holocaust. Dr Galler’s mum survived Auschwitz as a child and went on to raise a very successful doctor who saved many lives in his career. How many other potential children of the victims were lost - doctors, inventors, mothers and fathers. Every life stolen is an entire future of impact stolen. Just a thought, but a lot to ponder there.
May 9, 2020
I started this book with the thought it was going to be a text book and was pleasantly surprised to find,despite some rather long winded at times medical parts,it was not only easy to read but informative too.It was a local book club choice and quite different to what we normally read.Really enjoyed it.
June 1, 2018
Very encouraging to read the way this compassionate intensive care doctor relates to his patients. Even better - he works in Middlemore hospital - so a NZ setting. I'd be very happy to have him looking after me or any of my family.
July 7, 2017
Totally loved it, such a refreshing, different read. Makes me value my family, great doctors and the respect end of life deserves. I learned quite a lot too!
January 26, 2018
Excellent book! It would be wonderful if all doctors were like this. Intelligence and compassion combined.
February 29, 2024
A great book - such a good way to tell facinating personal stories whilst also highlighting the BIG issues with healthcare in NZ.
My rating - 77/100
My rating - 77/100
June 17, 2024
Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected 4.5 stars I think
December 31, 2016
A simply but well written reflection of life, religion, history and medicine. David Galler is the son of Eastern European Jews who emigrated to New Zealand after the Second World War. Becoming a doctor later in life, he reflects on some of the Intensive Care patients and situations he has been involved with in the UK, Samoa and New Zealand. Galler has also been an advisor to the NZ government, who have ignored any advice and reports that link health outcomes to poverty, poor housing and low wages. This is a thoughtfully written book with insights into hospitals and health care, family life and expectations.
May 7, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am thankful to my book club as I would never have picked it out to read myself. What a lovely man, so full of heart. If I'm ever in intensive care, I hope I have a doctor like David Galler looking after me!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews