I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher, in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall Rating: 4*
Writing : 5*
Information : 4*
Uniqueness : 4*

This was a great medical memoir. Each chapter focused on an individual medical technology and case study. We read about unique and personal stories, delving into the lives of people living with incurable diseases, waiting for transplants, and the survivors. Her writing style was brilliant, even an unknowledgeable scientific dunce like myself pretty much understood what was doing on, and the medical advances Lamas was describing. If you liked Adam Kays books I think you'll enjoy this, but be warned there's not humor to mask the tragedies.

I think anecdotal medical books can be really hit or miss, but I enjoyed this one. It isn't full of medical jargon and it truly has heart which is something this trend of medical non-fiction seems to be lacking for me. It's easy to read, short enough that it doesn't get boring and I actually felt like I learnt something.

This is a book about what its like to be a doctor. It is a funny but also serious book which will have you crying with laughter one page and then crying from sadness at the next. This allows an insight to what doctors truly go for and may change how you engage with them in the future.

An Emotional and sometimes upsetting insight into critical care for patients.
A riveting read throughout.

I am unfamiliar with the medical world, having no background in medicine or medical science, I loved the fact that this was written by a doctor with first hand knowledge.
I really enjoyed how the chapters were broken down and loved the insight into technological advances, however grey those areas may be. I think this book would be great for people that work in that medical field or have more knowledge than I, but all the same, I really enjoyed it.

I have mixed feelings about this book. As an Ex critical care nurse (UK) I can read and understand the case histories provided. The US is, I feel, more proactive in moving patients with invasive therapies on. I haven't worked with ECMO patients but the idea of mobilising them seems alien to me and wither the US is light years ahead or my Critical care unit hasn't given me equable experience. the same can be said for LVAD devices although these have moved on. I struggle to see the general appeal of book of this nature - yes it has some interest for me and so it might for patients in similar situations but i cannot see a generalised or widespread allure

After a recent first brush with the medical world and my utter respect for all those who work in the field I am reading a lot of memoirs by drs and nurses and this is one of the best I've come across.

This is someone who is asking what next? Some treatments do stop death but is living better? Sometimes the problems a person is left with after the initial critical care are horrific and this is an exploration of this. I'm lucky in that I should make a mostly full recovery but this was a compassionate and eye opening exploration of whether advances in critical care health work are universally good.

I love reading about the work that medical doctors do and I hold good medical doctors in very high esteem. Daniela Lamas is one of those doctors and deserves recognition for the great work she does with a professional and yet compassion approach. She is a doctor who works in critical care in America.
This is not a book about her day to life, rather each chapter focuses on a different area of criterial care and, in the main, deals with one or maybe a couple of patients who she has dealt with during her time working in those areas.
Critical care is an area which has come on in leaps and bound in recent years due to advancements in technology, medical research and of course general improvements in health and hygiene standards for many.
For example, she discussed cases where an implant can keep people’s heart going, by ‘jump starting’ in a way that was just not possible until recently.
Another fascinating case discussed is that of a woman with cystic fibrosis who was told at the age of 15 she would not make it 30. Although she had known she was poorly, she’d never her life would be cut so short. She set about to proof the doctors wrong and planned to have the biggest party ever on her 30th birthday party. Today, there are many people living beyond 40 with CF.
The opening story from where the title of the book is gained is also a lovely one. I won’t say any more only that it is worth buying and reading the book just for that story alone (although it is discussed throughout the book so you can’t just read the first chapter to get the full benefit of the story!).
Another of my favourite story’s is that of a man who tired of waiting for a kidney transplant, whilst having thrice weekly kidney dialysis,
so he became determined to try to find his own from a living donor. Another inspiring story.
A well written and insightful book that reminds us of the advancements in medical technology whilst also posing the question in some cases is it always for the best (bearing in mind some of the terrible effects that long term stays in ICU can have on patients mental and physical well-being).
Highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this true life book telling stories from the viewpoint of an Intensive Care Doctor in the USA. Sometimes funny and sometimes heart wrenching, this book made me appreciate even more the difficult job doctors do and the 'behind the scenes' look at things that go on. I was surprised when I realised it was a lady writing the book, for some reason I assumed it would be a male view (gender stereotyping I guess although I didn't mean to!) so it was really refreshing for me to find it was written by a lady as previously any medical books I have read have been written by men. Highly recommended and very enjoyable

You Can Stop Humming Now is a non fiction memoir of sorts that takes us through the wonders of modern medicine by examining various patients past and patient under the care of Daniela Lamas. Rather than baffle you with science and facts, Lamas takes us on a journey through the emotional and physical side effects of people suffering from long term or chronic illnesses that 5, even 10, years ago they might not have survived due to the amazing advances in medicine.

As a student I was always taught the importance of evidence based practice. We can only continue to improve and grow as a profession within medicine if we have the means and foresight to continually expand our knowledge and abilities. This book is a perfect example of that. Lamas speaks with passion and empathy as she relays the stories of several patients who've directly benefitted from such treatment, and what it know means to survive past an expected 'expiration date'.

Patients include a kidney transplant recipient who found his donor through Facebook, a woman with cystic fibrosis nearing her 40th birthday when she wasn't expected to live past 30, and a number of patients suffering from chronic pulmonary or cardiac diseases who fought through time in ITU with the help of various ingenius machines or devices to reach a purgatory existence on the other side. Lamas has a history in ITU care, and as such most of the patients discussed have some form of background spent here. This was a refreshing side to understanding medical care which I haven't read before, and it was also nice to hear from a medical professional across the pond. As a stoic advocate for the NHS, the American 'care' system baffles me greatly, and this resonates throughout the book with some mentions of limited insurance payouts for rehabilitation centres and endless cycles of paperwork for pharmaceuticals. Thank goodness we don't that kind of health system.

Getting back to the stories themselves, it's clear that Lamas has a passion for healthcare and a high regard for all the patients and colleagues she speaks of. There's some lovely little snippets of stories that show levels of dedication that go above and beyond the duty of care and endless warmth for patient care that shines through.

An interesting read, and one I would highly recommend for people interested in the amazing advances in medicine that are greatly changing the face of modern medicine as we know it.

I went into this book wanting to learn more about the science and policies of my health care colleagues across the pond. My expectations quickly shifted as I realised this book was about the people we care for, their stories and the impact of medical interventions on them. Dr Lamas writes beautifully, full of compassion as she shares the highs and lows of patients experiencing the cutting edge of our latest advancements in medicine. The focus of the book was entirely on the people we work towards saving/ prolonging life rather than about Dr Lamas' career but I am sure she has had a journey many would love to read about. I appreciate that the realities of the darker side of medicine are briefly touched upon when Dr Lamas explains patients give up one set of crappy reality for another set of unexpected crappiness in the hope of disease improvement, but overall the message of the book is about hope. Thank you to Dr Lamas for her work, to the people who shared their stories, and to the publishers and netgalley for my e-arc. I don't usually mention covers in my reviews but I love the simplistic design of my e-arc cover with the stethoscope and can't wait to pick up a physical copy once these hit the bookshelves. Definitely recommend to all involved/interested in healthcare provision and those who love stories of everyday people overcoming challenges.