When Blood Breaks Down: Life Lessons from Leukemia

by Mikkael A. Sekeres

A leading cancer specialist tells the powerful stories of 3 adult leukemia patients—shining new light on the hidden history of the disease and the drugs developed to treat it. “A look at leukemia patients’ fear, survival and grace while fighting the disease . . . a quiet chronicle of life with and beyond leukemia, and sometimes life’s end.” —The Washington Post When you are told that you have leukemia, your world stops. Your brain can’t function. You are asked to make decisions about treatment almost immediately, when you are not in your right mind. And yet you pull yourself together and start asking questions. Beside you is your doctor, whose job it is to solve the awful puzzle of bone marrow gone wrong. The two of you are in it together. In When Blood Breaks Down, Mikkael Sekeres, a leading cancer specialist, takes readers on the journey that patient and doctor travel together. Sekeres, who writes regularly for the “Well” section of The New York Times, tells the compelling stories of three people who receive diagnoses of adult leukemia within hours of each Joan, a 48-year-old surgical nurse, a caregiver who becomes a patient; David, a 68-year-old former factory worker who bows to his family’s wishes and pursues the most aggressive treatment; and Sarah, a 36-year-old pregnant woman who must decide whether to undergo chemotherapy and put her fetus at risk. We join the intimate conversations between Sekeres and his patients, and we watch as he teaches trainees. Along the way, Sekeres also explores leukemia in its different forms and the development of drugs to treat it—describing, among many other fascinating details, the invention of the bone marrow transplant (first performed experimentally on beagles) and a treatment that targets the genetics of leukemia. The lessons to be learned from leukemia, Sekeres shows, are not merely medical; they teach us about courage and grace and defying the odds.

Genres: Medicine, Nonfiction, Science, Medical, Health, Memoir, History

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2020

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait for the wider world to get to read this. Parts leukemia history lesson, medical explanation and story that almost anyone can understand due to the author's care to keep it at a layperson's level, this book is informative, inspiring, and compulsively readable if you have any interest at all in leukemia. Five stars all day long, but I'd advise acute leukemia patients and families to wait until after treatment to read. Health care professionals not in the field of hematology oncology will also learn a lot.

[Nour Ragaie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book showing how cancer can alter a life and still keep so much of it intact. A good read that gives clarity on cancer with a little history and a lot of emotions and insights. Quite difficult if someone reads this through treatment though.

[Maddie Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

best non fic book I have read in a minute

[Ebe Tabares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente! Muy bien escrito, contrasta historias de pacientes portadores de neoplasias hematológicas con datos científicos y algo de poesía.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an inpatient Hematology NP I found this book fascinating. It should be required reading for new colleagues in my area, in my humble opinion. I enjoyed the history behind various leukemic discoveries and medication/chemo trials over the years, along with everyone’s favorite: the patient stories. It’s given me some new terms and “dad jokes” 😉 to use with my own patients. I agree with another reviewer though—for patients with leukemia and their families, this may be a tough one that is better left for after treatment finishes.

[Diane Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very mixed feelings. Some interesting stuff about leukemia, and certainly the ethical dilemmas of oncology care are there. But Sekeres has an unpolished writing style with cringe-worthy dialogue. The tone comes off as patronizing the reader and was off-putting.

[Michelle Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose the book based on only the first four words of the title, and was reeled in by the more targeted and human interest aspects of different types of leukemia, and the individual differences in how patients react to, address, and come to terms with the unexpected diagnosis. The case based approach told by a doctor who values both the diagnostic, treatment, and clinical interaction make for a fascinating read. I appreciated the history of science component, the explanations that a person with little prior hematology knowledge could track. While the author is genuinely grateful to the inspiration from his patients, and clear on how he collaborated with the (male) lab specialist, my only residual desire was for the physician/author to reveal more about what impacted his work/interactions with patients and other hospital/home health team members. A reminder that with or without a serious diagnosis, most/all want to live until we die.

[Evan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. This sets of stories took me back to my own intern year when I first encountered cancer patients and ultimately set on a path to becoming an oncologist. Dr Sekeres is a talented writer and explains scientific concepts clearly so a non-physician will be able to understand them. But the greatest gift by far is his descriptions of interacting with patients when they are at their most vulnerable, himself challenged to find the right words to strike a balance between hope and reality. It drills deep to the core of what it’s like to be an oncologist and a human. Highly recommended!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed this book while looking for a different book in the same section at the library and immediately wondered why I haven't been reading books like this for the past 20 years. I'm a pediatric oncology nurse and found the stories related in this book very relatable while at the same time different from what I see. I think the style of writing was extremely accessible and would definitely like to read more from this author/physician.

[Louis Ong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sekeres delivers a profound and compassionate blend of science and storytelling, chronicling the lives of his patients with remarkable empathy. The book celebrates human resilience and the courage it takes to navigate the relentless cycle of hope, support, anticipation, and worry. Through a lens that is both literary and deeply personal, Sekeres offers a tribute to the bravery of those facing life’s most daunting challenges while illuminating the intricate balance between medicine and humanity.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, incredibly insightful. Would absolutely read again in the future. It’s incredible that the author took the time to write this book amidst his busy career. As someone who works in hem/onc, I’m appreciative of his insight and knowledge as well as his dedication to the profession and how he cares for his patients.

*As mentioned by other readers, I would not recommend reading if recently diagnosed with a form of leukemia.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good accounting of history, treatments, and lives affected by three different people dealing with this condition. At times it was sobering and heart-breaking for some patients looking for hope and ended up terminal. Other stories had much more positive outcomes and was uplifting to know of the medical progress over the past few decades.

[Johanna Neuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explaining the Inexplicable

My husband was recently diagnosed with MDS, a bone marrow disease that can be a precursor to leukemia. Mikkael Sekeres is the first doctor who has been able to explain it to us in words we can understand. He writes with feeling for his patients and deep knowledge about recent advances in treatments. Thank you

[Elan]

Starting reading this on Tisha B’Av because it felt appropriate enough. Well written and informative but wouldn’t recommend reading this unless you’re a doctor. If you’re a survivor it may bring up too much trauma but also make you feel really impressed with yourself for making it, so who’s to say if I enjoyed it or not.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very impactful and educational read. Multiple points of view from patients, their caregivers and medical professionals. The more I read about Leukemia the more I respect all of those who have worked so hard to find cures to this multitude of awful diseases collectively called Leukemia.

Would have been nice if the pictures were in color.

[Greg Hartle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mikkael Sekeres takes a complex topic and breaks it down in layman’s terms. Moreover, the storytelling is excellent. Kept me engaged and eager to learn more as I read. Greatly appreciate the deeper understanding I now have of this disease and how it impacts all stakeholders involved. Great read!

[Tanvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I felt that the author explained the various forms of leukemia and their treatments in a very digestible way, but simultaneously, the stories of the patients were so compelling that I found it hard to set down at times. :)

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand what the doctor was trying to achieve in writing this book. I skimmed/read the book and from what I see he did write about how the diagnosis and treatment impacted the lives of patients and loved ones.
I am curious why he didn't speak of CLL.

[Ellie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible review on the history, science, and experience of leukemia. Flew through this one and I recommend to any of my many friends who work with leukemia patients every day and anyone who knows a loved one fighting blood cancer. Great read and answered many of my questions!

[Bella Schuessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed how the author intertwined teaching about the diff types of leukemia and treatment while telling the stories of 3 patients. Great book, I recommend it to anyone who is interested in oncology or even just wants to know more general information on leukemia.

[Darleen Ziege · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and well thought out, while maintaining a sense of emotional investment and narrative interest for the reader. This book is really well done if you’re interested in both the scientific and the human side of leukemia.

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great explanations and moving patient cases. I hope David is still smiling down at us today with his Cleveland Indians hat.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follows the leukemia journey of three patients, interspersed with other experiences and vignettes from Dr. Sekeres' experiences.

[Bruna · Rating 5 out of 5]

✯ [4.5/5] ✯

Just a wholesome story about hematology, a medical residency I think about doing... And this made me want to do more.

[Lizzie Sawdai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mix of narrative and science. Only lost a star because the writing was so so

[Kelly Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 only because he called PA’s a “physician’s assistant”. Recommend to anyone in heme/onc but agree this may be tough for patients

[Heather Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does a great job or explaining complex cancer terms and treatments in a easy to grasp manner. A openly emotionally but science based read.

[Mabel Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing chronicle of 3 patients with cancer, not cliche life lessons about cancer. Details are great and you feel the humanity and compassion within everyone filter throughout! :)

[Chrissy Donato · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone that has experienced what a diagnosis of blood cancer is like.

[Courtney Sells-Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tear jerked