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108 Days: A True Story
Following an electrical accident, Curtis is admitted to one of America's top hospitals with a burn injury. Recovery is soon derailed due to an error in the radiology department which he is not expected to survive. Curtis hovers on the brink of death while his wife, Lisa and her sister, Dawn battle daily in a desperate fight to save his life.
Deadly hospital acquired infections are prevalent and easily spread. Complications, setbacks and additional injuries requiring further treatment are routinely provoked by inconsistent caregivers and chronic neglect.
This compelling human drama carries the reader through this complicated hospital course while experiencing miracles and making history at one the busiest level 1 trauma centers in the United States.
Deadly hospital acquired infections are prevalent and easily spread. Complications, setbacks and additional injuries requiring further treatment are routinely provoked by inconsistent caregivers and chronic neglect.
This compelling human drama carries the reader through this complicated hospital course while experiencing miracles and making history at one the busiest level 1 trauma centers in the United States.
289 pages, Hardcover
First published June 28, 2005
120 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Lindell
2 books1 followerLisa Lindell is the author of two books, the first, "108 Days," details her family’s journey through the shockingly incompetent medical system they were forced to navigate after her husband’s hospitalization with a severe burn injury. In the wake of its publication Lindell became an outspoken patients’ right activist, authoring numerous articles on the subject, appearing in a documentary on the subject, and agitating for legislative reform.
Her second book, "108 Decisions," details the ups and downs in her life in the wake of her husband’s eventual discharge from the hospital. Brutally honest and unflinching, "108 Decisions" shows us the realities involved in the search for love, sex, and stability in mid-life.
Lisa hopes her stories motivate, comfort, educate, or simply entertain.
Her second book, "108 Decisions," details the ups and downs in her life in the wake of her husband’s eventual discharge from the hospital. Brutally honest and unflinching, "108 Decisions" shows us the realities involved in the search for love, sex, and stability in mid-life.
Lisa hopes her stories motivate, comfort, educate, or simply entertain.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 18, 2022
I managed to read 21% of this book. It literally gave me a headache.
March 11, 2017
“I am appalled. The doctors don’t actually enter the room to examine the patient? They read the chart, full of lies and omissions, and look through the window. Well they can see a nice IV pole when they look in the window. I guess none of the dozens of nurses we’ve told about his face bothered to note in his chart, ‘Wife concerned about disappearing, bleeding face.’ This also explains his eyes. The doctors never bothered to look at the patient, and none of those nurses bothered to write, ‘Wife concerned about melting eyeballs.’"
While this book was not a pleasure to read, there was value in doing so, as a health care professional. It provides insight from the family’s point of view into how hospital care is provided, communicated, and coordinated. There is also value in this first-hand account of how dysfunctional family relationships can adversely impact the providers’ ability to communicate and coordinate care. Who should the health care providers talk to? Who can make medical decisions? Wife, mother, father, brother, sister, cousin? Girlfriend? Partner? Without a medical power of attorney, this became a vicious power struggle between family members that medical and hospital staff had to navigate.
Since the events of this book in 2003, the acceptance of “patient centered care” as an essential component of health care quality has grown tremendously, and many of the attitudes and barriers that the author encountered are actively addressed, but I have no doubt that patients and families still experience them. We should do better. We must do better.
This story also illustrates how impossible it can become to simply manage day-to-day responsibilities when a medical crisis strikes, and what a blessing small kindnesses can be. The author was moved to tears by these practical but unglamorous offers, to mow her lawn, to clean her pool, to babysit her children, a bag of groceries, a paid long-term parking pass for the visitors’ parking lot.
I’ll finish with these wise words from the author: “I probably don’t need to state the obvious, but at the very least, everyone needs to have a medical power of attorney. Something like this could happen to you at any time. As Americans, we think we have basic rights and authority. When my husband became incapacitated, so did our rights and so did my authority to protect him.”
While this book was not a pleasure to read, there was value in doing so, as a health care professional. It provides insight from the family’s point of view into how hospital care is provided, communicated, and coordinated. There is also value in this first-hand account of how dysfunctional family relationships can adversely impact the providers’ ability to communicate and coordinate care. Who should the health care providers talk to? Who can make medical decisions? Wife, mother, father, brother, sister, cousin? Girlfriend? Partner? Without a medical power of attorney, this became a vicious power struggle between family members that medical and hospital staff had to navigate.
Since the events of this book in 2003, the acceptance of “patient centered care” as an essential component of health care quality has grown tremendously, and many of the attitudes and barriers that the author encountered are actively addressed, but I have no doubt that patients and families still experience them. We should do better. We must do better.
This story also illustrates how impossible it can become to simply manage day-to-day responsibilities when a medical crisis strikes, and what a blessing small kindnesses can be. The author was moved to tears by these practical but unglamorous offers, to mow her lawn, to clean her pool, to babysit her children, a bag of groceries, a paid long-term parking pass for the visitors’ parking lot.
I’ll finish with these wise words from the author: “I probably don’t need to state the obvious, but at the very least, everyone needs to have a medical power of attorney. Something like this could happen to you at any time. As Americans, we think we have basic rights and authority. When my husband became incapacitated, so did our rights and so did my authority to protect him.”
August 9, 2020
Very good read. Unfortunately, this scenario is all too real. For some time patients have been instructed to bring someone to the hospital to act as an advocate for them when they are unable to make decisions. However, this shows how things go awry even with very active advocates present.
As a nurse I was appalled at the behavior of the medical professionals! There are many in the profession who have the compassion of a rug. I'm so sorry this happened. I ask forgiveness.
Lastly I mention the beastly family. Dumber than a box of rocks and only looking for some personal gain out of this horrible accident. They are a hospitals personal horror story. I would have killed them off if it had been me.
This was a very true, telling book. I imagine they continue to have no problem obtaining JCAHO accreditation. Sad.
As a nurse I was appalled at the behavior of the medical professionals! There are many in the profession who have the compassion of a rug. I'm so sorry this happened. I ask forgiveness.
Lastly I mention the beastly family. Dumber than a box of rocks and only looking for some personal gain out of this horrible accident. They are a hospitals personal horror story. I would have killed them off if it had been me.
This was a very true, telling book. I imagine they continue to have no problem obtaining JCAHO accreditation. Sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2022
Patient's wife view of a critical patient's stay in burn unit
I wanted to like this book. As a retired nurse I see it thru the nurse's eyes. No one gave her the care she wanted. She keeps telling the nurses it isn't them she is mad at it is the hospital but boy does she take it out on the nurses! She doesn't seem to understand her husband is not their only patient they have to deal with and nurses have no control on doctor's visits or what doctor do or do not order. I admit, this hospital is horrible at giving the best to their patients especially since they are a "World renowned burn hospital". I'm just glad I'm finished the book!
I wanted to like this book. As a retired nurse I see it thru the nurse's eyes. No one gave her the care she wanted. She keeps telling the nurses it isn't them she is mad at it is the hospital but boy does she take it out on the nurses! She doesn't seem to understand her husband is not their only patient they have to deal with and nurses have no control on doctor's visits or what doctor do or do not order. I admit, this hospital is horrible at giving the best to their patients especially since they are a "World renowned burn hospital". I'm just glad I'm finished the book!
May 18, 2022
Amazing
Wow! I cannot believe the streangh of this woman. She saved her husbands life on more then one occasion. I do believe the incompetent and ugly behaviour of some of hospital staff. Not giving her a tray of food was very petty and ugly. I'm happy they made it out! I took care of my mom. We went through sepsis and pic lines twice. Unacceptable! I also had to fight,so I can relate.
Wow! I cannot believe the streangh of this woman. She saved her husbands life on more then one occasion. I do believe the incompetent and ugly behaviour of some of hospital staff. Not giving her a tray of food was very petty and ugly. I'm happy they made it out! I took care of my mom. We went through sepsis and pic lines twice. Unacceptable! I also had to fight,so I can relate.
August 15, 2022
Medical miracle only because of a vigilant wife
Unbelievable gravest in but a wife that would not give up. I would want someone like her if I ever was in the position her husband was. I was absolutely yelling in parts of this book because of the stupidity she was having to deal with!
Unbelievable gravest in but a wife that would not give up. I would want someone like her if I ever was in the position her husband was. I was absolutely yelling in parts of this book because of the stupidity she was having to deal with!
January 21, 2020
I work in healthcare, and this was an event that I can totally see happening. It broke my heart to read what happened to the family and the way they were treated. Unfortunately these events happen everyday. It reminds me to think before walking into patient's rooms.
May 23, 2020
What a great story!
Anyone who has a loved one in the hospital should read this book. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. You gotta feel for Lisa, huggs to you and all you have done for this man.
Anyone who has a loved one in the hospital should read this book. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. You gotta feel for Lisa, huggs to you and all you have done for this man.
February 8, 2021
Crazy woman
This book is written by the wife of a badly burned man, detailing his long recovery in a burn unit. Much of it is redundant. The wife was an anxious, annoying mess who was unable to comprehend that her husband was NOT the only patient in the burn unit. She drove those poor nurses nuts!
This book is written by the wife of a badly burned man, detailing his long recovery in a burn unit. Much of it is redundant. The wife was an anxious, annoying mess who was unable to comprehend that her husband was NOT the only patient in the burn unit. She drove those poor nurses nuts!
September 25, 2019
Great human interest story...
What an ordeal your family has gone through. I will say your husband has a very strong will to live. Good for him to fight for life.
I can definitely identify with Lisa in having to take care of a loved one in the hospital. You were your husband's mouth piece and spoke on his behalf to fight for his rights as he was not able to do it for himself. I have been in your shoes and know what it is like to battle with hospital personnel that do not want to do their job.
You did a great job telling the story, and I could not put the book down until the end.
I am so glad your husband made it through and was able to go home.
God Bless you and your family.
Dianna,
Prescott, AZ.
What an ordeal your family has gone through. I will say your husband has a very strong will to live. Good for him to fight for life.
I can definitely identify with Lisa in having to take care of a loved one in the hospital. You were your husband's mouth piece and spoke on his behalf to fight for his rights as he was not able to do it for himself. I have been in your shoes and know what it is like to battle with hospital personnel that do not want to do their job.
You did a great job telling the story, and I could not put the book down until the end.
I am so glad your husband made it through and was able to go home.
God Bless you and your family.
Dianna,
Prescott, AZ.
August 27, 2019
This country is killing itself.........
I just finished reading 108 Days**** *by Lisa Lindell, absolutely blew my mind!! Unless you are filthy rich and/or on a fantastic insurance plan, you’re screwed. I have never trusted doctors (for personal issues I’ve had and most floor nurses are the most miserable people you will ever meet. I will die at home before I ever let someone put me in a hospital. Take really good care of yourself, because no one else wants to.
I just finished reading 108 Days**** *by Lisa Lindell, absolutely blew my mind!! Unless you are filthy rich and/or on a fantastic insurance plan, you’re screwed. I have never trusted doctors (for personal issues I’ve had and most floor nurses are the most miserable people you will ever meet. I will die at home before I ever let someone put me in a hospital. Take really good care of yourself, because no one else wants to.
September 24, 2019
Found this book a bit hard going ,repeating a lot of stuff
I wanted to know if he got his memory back and if he recovered more
I feel like for something that is supposed to be a world class hospital was diabolical
What a brave man and what a loving wife and sister in law ,I few if it wasn’t for them he would surely of died
I wanted to know if he got his memory back and if he recovered more
I feel like for something that is supposed to be a world class hospital was diabolical
What a brave man and what a loving wife and sister in law ,I few if it wasn’t for them he would surely of died
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2019
This is so true...a must read if you ever have a sick family member
We went through something similar when my mom was in the hospital. If YOU don't take care of them, the hospital will kill them!
What angels were Lisa and Dawn
We went through something similar when my mom was in the hospital. If YOU don't take care of them, the hospital will kill them!
What angels were Lisa and Dawn
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews