On the Toss of a Coin

A harrowing and moving true story about a man's fight for life after contracting a sudden, rare and near fatal illness.

One otherwise regular January morning in 2009, Michael Wise's world was thrown into turmoil. He was at the peak of his career as an internationally renowned specialist dental surgeon when he was struck by an exceptionally rare, near-fatal, streptococcal blood infection. Within hours, his vital organs failed as this catastrophic illness swept through his entire body. He was in a coma and on life support for ten days, careering ever closer to death.

On The Toss of a Coin is a raw and honest account of Michael's fight for survival and rehabilitation. Michael remained on the critical list for several weeks as doctors battled to save his life. Michael needed a kidney transplant, and after fourteen months a donor was found, leaving him to additionally contend with recovering from surgery. Despite the overwhelming odds, Michael remained positive, helped by coping strategies that empowered him to be involved in his predicament rather than swept along as a victim.

According to doctors, Michael should never have lived and, if he miraculously survived, he should be severely incapacitated. He is neither; he is fit and lives a full and active life.