Zápisky začínajícího kyborga – Svoboda Tomáš (2018)

How would you feel if you were told that they would cut a hole the size of a sausage into your body, sever your muscles, saw through your bones, replace them with iron goods, and then hope that it would heal in six months and work as it should?” asks the author as a fresh candidate for a hip joint replacement. Fortunately, shock and panic from the unexpected life situation are soon replaced by perspective, a pragmatic approach, and quirky humor. The book is a diverse mix of personal experiences and practical insights from the implantation of a total hip joint prosthesis. It is primarily intended for future patients as a guide and encouragement. And also for their caregivers as a practical manual. They will all find many tips, observations, and tricks that make life easier for the newly minted “cyborgs” (cyborg = a synthesis of organic and mechanical components). The author's experiences from treatment and subsequent rehabilitation also give hope that while Czech healthcare could benefit from a few cosmetic improvements, it certainly does not need resuscitation. Good news for the rest of us who will need the services of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel sooner or later.