The Moonlight Sonata at the Mayo Clinic

I just finished Moonlight Sonata at the Mayo Clinic yesterday. I have been savoring it as long as possible. As expected, I loved it. My wife is going through chemotherapy for a sarcoma that has spread to her lung. The release of the book could not have been timed any better. For 8 hours a day 4 days a week I get to peek behind the curtain in the Chemotherapy wing here at Kaiser, with the book as my guide. This IS where Jesus would be, or somewhere just like this, if he were in human form today. I don't want to give away anything from the book, but I have been really touched many times during the reading. The one thing I will thankfully give away is that the author does not die during the course of the book, I knew this because I watched a webcast of her talking about the book. I believe that I have read most of what you have written, including, "How to Stop a Sentence", and I have loved every bit of it. I look forward to your next edition.

Anyone who has an ailment which is serious, undiagnosed, or chronic will appreciate the story this book tells. Having had all three and receiving excellent care at the Mayo Clinic, I related strongly to the story. Incompetent and/or disinterested care givers are frequent and there is really no excuse for this. If you don't know what you are dealing with and your physician will not refer you elsewhere, you must be your own advocate you must refer yourself to the best care possible - it is your life.. Finding an organization that offers excellence in a caring setting is outstanding. For those who have not experienced the Mayo Clinic - you have no idea what you are missing.

Nora Gallagher has gifted us with another moving and thought- provoking memoir. I savored "Moonlight Sonata at the Mayo Clinic" not wanting it to end and found myself deep in ongoing conversation with her as I read. The part of me reserved for crisis was provoked and memories of times spent near the edge of what Nora calls "oz" recalled. It is amazing that we are able to live great portions of time in denial of all the actual and potential horror that surrounds us and the inevitable departure with self that awaits. I so appreciate Nora's elegant articulation of the fragility we all share in this life. She is an incredible chronicler of her own very intelligent, tender truth. Not an easy accomplishment.Highly recommend this work to all!

Nora Gallagher woke one morning to an unexpected fork in her life. She takes you with her into the unexpected and tells us how she dealt with it. Not everyone will deal with an unexpected fork in our lives the way she does but sometimes, it's nice to know how someone who has already done it, did it.I have read all of Gallagher's books and find them all instructive while not telling me "this is the only way". She only says, "this is how I did it.Highly recommend her writings as well as the few videos of her speaking that I've found.

For anyone who has faced a medical crisis this book is a must read! If you have not, STILL a must read. Nora's personal journey is shared honestly, openly and courageously. She lays herself bare as she navigates her way through the gauntlet of medical diagnosis, treatment options and personal choices. Her journey inspires and educates. Thank you Nora for this uplifting, heart warming, encouraging book. You are my hero!

Very good description of what it feels to go through an unknown illness. Seeking answers, trusting doctors, trying to lead a normal life. Nora has captured her experience quite well and would be useful to those having a similar journey.

This book changed me. I immediately passed my copy onto a friend with a medical condition that is yet to be diagnosed for Gallagher to be her companion in that journey, but what stuck with me in the days since reading is this potent, palpable sense of "Today I am well. Someday I will not be." Gallagher's candor at our notions of wholeness and wellness left me emotionally sunburned.

The book is a welcome break-through describing what I called a "parallel universe" that I lived in for 2 years during a critical illness that was difficult to diagnose.