Lucky Dog: How Being a Veterinarian Saved My Life

Reading this as a specialist veterinary surgical oncologist (trained by the same "legend" as Dr Boston) and as a cancer patient I can take a focussed perspective on this publication. She nailed it. However, the health care system I experience in Australia is not as sloth like as the Canadian system was for Sarah. Like her, my health care team is fantastic. Also like her I can see that were I a dog the whole process would be barely punctuated by any waiting periods. The families of my patients wait an average of 48 hours for histopathology (biopsy) results for instance. Work ups and surgery can be on the same day in many circumstances. Although cancer is a chronic disease, suspicion of a cancer diagnosis or seeking treatment for a diagnosed cancer is an emergency for the patient and their families. Veterinary oncologists treat cancer this way. We do this because we can and I realise this is not always possible with the constraints imposed on human health care. Sarah's book is not a whinge about the human health care system, it is not a description of one persons cancer battle, it is so much more. Like so many of us in this profession, Sarah knows the importance of translational research. This means the knowledge gained by treating pets with cancer translates to knowledge about human cancer and vice versa. She is part of this "one-cancer" approach. Her language in the book is fresh, funny and tangible. There is passion in the paragraphs and it is not "over-the-top". As others have commented, you will laugh and cry. Sarah is an advocate for her own health, her patients, their owners and by writing this book, she has supported all of us who fight daily to help pets with cancer all over the world. We are lucky dogs! Thanks Dr Boston.

This book had much more depth than I was actually expecting. It draws comparisons not only between human and veterinary medicine but the American healthcare system and the socialized system in Canada, as well. I was pleasantly reminded of the access to cutting edge healthcare Americans have that we often take for granted (assuming you can afford it, of course!). As someone who is an advocate for a more socialized system in the U.S., it was refreshing to see the reality that both platforms have their problems, as well as solutions.As a vet student (3rd year), I love that Dr. Boston owns her title and the letters behind her name, as I'm sure that she undoubtedly earned them. Being a veterinary surgical oncologist requires years of specialized study and training (4 years of undergrad + 4 years of vet school + 3-5 years average for post-doctoral training + fellowship in subspecialty). It cannot be underestimated what an accomplishment this is. Even so, I think veterinarians even at this level struggle to be on equal footing with our physician counterparts, as is illustrated at times in the book. I think the tone or attitude that has been commented on is only reflective of the amount of hard work and sacrifice Dr. Boston has put into her career, and her opinion should be valued.This book effortlessly draws parallels between being a human patient while also being a veterinarian. I consider myself to be an empathetic person, but her accounts have made me see our patients in an even newer light. This book is a fun (I cracked up SO many times) and educational book for everyone, but especially those in healthcare. We can all learn from each other, and Dr. Boston and her book have paved just a little path for us to follow.

I found many aspects of this book that relate to my own life. Although my career ended up focusing on fishery biology, all of my graduate study involved mammalian ethology, physiology and anatomy so I can read vet-med papers without much of a problem. I also have undergone thyroid treatment for non-cancerous issues including a subtotal thyroidectomy and have gone through the juggling act of finding the optimum hormone dose to regain energy and health. I was lucky enough to have the US health care system so did not have any of the delays forced upon the author in undergoing treatment. I have recently lost 3 dogs to cancer in 3 years so have fought that battle as well (2 hemangiosarcoma, 1 osteosarcoma). So, there was a lot in this book that touched on my interests and experiences. That said, I could not give this book 5 stars simply because many of the statements made by the author about thyroid patients were simply silly and do not apply to all. I have co-workers who have undergone similar experiences, including thyroid cancer and we have moved on. This author was so obsessive it was off-putting. Her vanity and focus on superficial issues was annoying. I found myself reading and thinking 'silly woman' which did not add a lot to the experience (I am also female). So, 4 out of 5 stars.....

Good book and I would recommend.

I enjoyed this book as the writing was real and funny. The author takes us through her fight with cancer and compares the Canadian medical system with the animal medical system. Lovely stories about the bond of dog and the family who loves them.

A very entertaining, insightful book. I saw myself there many times. No, I have not had thyroid cancer but I have/had a few other episodes, including prostate cancer. It seems that the Canadian medical system and the Australian system share many similarities and frustrations. It also seems that veterinarians there and here share the same conflicts; as witnessed by the untimely death of my friend/Vet by his own hand this year. This is a book that should be read by Vets, survivors, and anyone with a sense of humour. A very entertaining read.

Did I like this book? No, I loved it. First let me say I would never have read a book about the "C" word. It strikes fear in me! However, I read a review in the Chronicle Herald, Halifax newspaper which encouraged me to give the book a try. I downloaded it and started my journey through the discovery, diagnosis, treatment and recovery of thyroid cancer with Sarah Boston. I felt her fear, frustrations, trepidation, anger, urgency, relief and feelings of vindication. Did I finish the book - absolutely. The author, as a veterinarian oncologist, helped me through her journey by providing an escape talking about her love of her career, her patients, their owners, her successes and sorrows. Her comparison of veterinarian health care and the Canadian health care system is right on target and at times so funny that I laughed out loud. Interestingly enough she was able to compare our free but overburdened health care system with the US health care system - quite an eye opener. Ms. Boston is a dog lover - she stated that life without a dog is lonely. She acknowledged that a dog could be a soulmate. I love all my dogs but one in particular will always tug on my heart strings. He was a dog who always wanted to be by my side, knew my moods, loved to cuddle and the world was his playpen. He made the world a happy place. He was my soulmate! She gave me permission to feel a special loss of this dog and for this I thank her. I couldn't put the book down. Ms. Boston is a brave woman, not only pushing for the treatment she deserved but writing about it. Amazing author and I would recommend this book to anyone.

Good s story