Be Patient is a warm, darkly comic account of Tilly’s desperate search for a diagnosis, against the backdrop of a hilariously funny, heartfelt and, at times, shocking insight into patient life.

A ‘medical mystery’ for over 20 years, Tilly has spent a lifetime navigating GP waiting rooms, A&E departments and hospital wards. She has been given a front row seat watching humanity at its worst (or its best, depending on how you look at it). Along the way, she has become highly qualified at two things: being a patient and being very patient.

Now, she is shining a bright hospital strip light onto a space that none of us want to occupy but one we know, with some certainty, that we will. Complete with ‘survival tips’ and fuelled with humour (the best medicine of all), Be Patient is an extraordinary memoir on resilience, hope and finding strength in the face of adversity.

My Thoughts:

As soon as I saw this book I knew I had to read it. I have been in and out of hospitals for a long time now, having multiple conditions I am always sat in a hospital or doctors waiting room. So I get where Tilly is coming from. Also I like the fact that this a personal account of Tilly’s so I thank Tilly for sharing her story. Even though Tilly and I do not share the same conditions I could totally see where Tilly was coming from and I agreed with her on so many things. I really felt for her multiple times throughout the story and felt frustrated and angry alongside her. The story is about how Tilly copes with being a medical mystery, being passed from pillar to post with the majority of doctors not wanting to get involved in her case. There are funny parts to this story too but it is a honest and raw account of a woman who was let down by the NHS many times and I am so sorry for that Tilly. The survival tips at the end of each chapter were informative too. I think if you have a loved one that is unwell than reading this might make you see it through their eyes what they have to go through. I have been through so many things Tilly went through so I totally get it. It was a read that I will remember and I really hope it brings to light that just because you look fine on the outside it does not mean you are ok on the inside, you should never imagine someone is just fine. Also if you are not happy with something in the medical world as for a second opinion, you really have to fight for what you need but never give up.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.