Dying was not something Michael J. Hession, MD, had considered much. As a healthy physician, mortality felt distant until December 31, 2013, when he faced a near-death experience that forced him to confront profound questions about recovery and the skills needed to navigate such an ordeal. Overwhelmed by fear and existential dread, Hession began the slow process of rebuilding his body and mind while searching for new meaning, purpose, and happiness. The events chronicled in this memoir took place between December 31, 2013, and 2015, but the inspiration to write emerged in January 2020, as he watched his son, a senior resident at Bellevue Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, struggle with feelings of helplessness while Hession was recovering from elective hip replacement surgery. Realizing his story of survival could help others, he draws on his experiences as both a near-death survivor and an experienced physician. With over three decades of caring for critically ill patients, Hession offers invaluable insights into recovery and the human spirit. This compelling memoir equips readers with resilience, hope, and practical wisdom to navigate their healing journeys, empowering them to face adversity with courage and grace while understanding life's fragility. It serves as a guide for survivors and their loved ones through the challenges of recovery and rebuilding life.
Michael J. Hession Knihy
