What Cannot Be Undone: True Stories of a Life in Medicine

River Teeth Literary Nonfiction Prize

by Walter M. Robinson

In his award-winning debut essay collection, What Cannot Be Undone, Walter M. Robinson shares surprising stories of illness and medicine that do not sacrifice hard truth for easy dramatics. These true stories are filled with details of difficult days and nights in the world of high-tech medical care, and they show the ongoing struggle in making critical decisions with no good answer. This collection presents the raw moments where his expertise in medical ethics and pediatrics are put to the test. He is neither saint, nor hero, nor wizard. Robinson admits that on his best days he was merely ordinary. Yet in writing down the authentic stories of his patients, Robinson discovers what led him to the practice of medicine—and how his idealism was no match for the realities he faced in modern health care.

176 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2022

About the author

Winner, River Teeth Literary Nonfiction Prize

In his award-winning debut essay collection, What Cannot Be Undone, Walter M. Robinson shares surprising stories of illness and medicine that do not sacrifice hard truth for easy dramatics. These true stories are filled with details of difficult days and nights in the world of high-tech medical care, and they show the ongoing struggle in making critical decisions with no good answer. This collection presents the raw moments where his expertise in medical ethics and pediatrics are put to the test. He is neither saint, nor hero, nor wizard. Robinson admits that on his best days he was merely ordinary. Yet in writing down the authentic stories of his patients, Robinson discovers what led him to the practice of medicine—and how his idealism was no match for the realities he faced in modern health care.

Reviews

[Rebecca]

I read about the first 30 pages and skimmed to page 58 (out of 159). The opening title essay was a good one, about Henry, a boy with cystic fibrosis awaiting a lung transplant. He was already on the table having his diseased lungs detached when the surgeon got a call telling them the donor lungs were damaged. Without new lungs, he wouldn’t survive. Two days after the aborted surgery, his ventilator was removed, a symbol of the death of hope. The next essay, also about a lung transplant patient, felt redundant and mawkish by comparison; the third was overlong and again, repetitive (and I couldn’t tell whether it was autobiographical or fictional). In the crowded field of doctor-penned literary memoirs, this didn’t stand out.

[Davin Malasarn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping collection of essays that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the medical world. Robinson shares the thoughts and practical considerations involved in procedures like lung transplants in a way that is clear, emotional, and thought provoking.

[Denton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important collection of essays written by a doctor from his lifetime of professional experience, primarily working with cystic fibrosis patients. The details are not always pleasant or comfortable to read, especially if you're a bit squeamish, as I am, about the inner workings of the body. However, the experience related in these essays expertly shows the complexity of cystic fibrosis, of the body in general, and of the inner workings of the mind and soul of a medical professional. I so admire how Robinson is able to break down complicated medical information so that I, as a lay person, am able to understand it. In addition to being a pulmonologist, Robinson has served for many years as a medical/hospital ethicist, and the ethical questions--about why and how a person is treated--are some of my favorite parts of these essays. In reading WHAT CANNOT BE UNDONE, it's clear how such a collection would rise to win the prestigious River Teeth Literary Nonfiction Prize. We are all better off for Dr. Robinson's experience.

[David Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book of essays from a pediatric pulmonologist who shared exacting details and sharp insights about himself, the medical system, and his patients and their families. I started this book a few years ago and stopped because some of the medical descriptions were so real-life that I felt dizzy and almost sick (always having been one who is near to fainting when given a shot and has avoided being hospitalized his entire 60+ year life. This book is a generous and revealing portrait of this author’s work as a doctor, but also his journey to understand his role in a system that sometimes serves neither doctor or patient. Highly recommended!

[Cathy Salibian · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we go to the doctor, we hope the person behind the medical mask knows what they’re doing, cares about us, pays attention, takes their time, will stay with us if things get rough. But how often do we think about what it takes to become that person? In “What Cannot Be Undone,” pediatric pulmonologist Walter M. Robinson shows us the science of medicine—and also its heart and soul. If you are a human being in a mortal body, please read this brave and beautiful book!

[Nelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Walter Robinson is a pediatric pulmonary physician who specializes in cystic fibrosis. This book contains stories both of his patients and others he has encountered. Some of the stories deal with ethical issues that this era of advanced medicine has created.