Improving Patient Outcomes, Salford, UK, July 2018
BBC Radio Bristol: Here is an interview I did with Dr Phil Hammond on BBC Radio Bristol 21 October 2018, talking about sepsis and the goals behind writing my book.
Nursing Times: Here is an article I wrote applauding the work of nurses in treating me when I had sepsis, but also offering suggestions for what would make the treatment even better:
Also a very positive review from Nursing Times, June 2018
UK Sepsis Trust and Global Sepsis Alliance reviews:
A Measure of Light is an informative and engaging read, while treating the subject matter with the respect it deserves. A valuable resource for health care professionals, providing insights into the perspective of the patient, while offering hope and encouragement to other survivors and their families.
—Larry Matthews, Support Lead, UK Sepsis Trust
A Measure of Light is a very informative and emotional book by a sepsis survivor. It provides a detailed insight into the nature of this terrible disease, and is encouraging not only for those affected and their relatives, but also for health care professionals.
—Marvin Zick, General Manager, Global Sepsis Alliance
Reader reviews:
Having also spent time in ICU in 2015 with Septic Shock and pneumonia, I was fascinated to read this book. So similar to my story, it brought back lots of memories. Felt proud of Kirsten. What an amazing comeback, to write a book like this for others. Amazing!
–Lisa Presland, Bristol
Excellent book. It is well written, concise and to the point. It covered a topic I knew very little about. This will be of great benefit to medical and nursing staff who have to care for people suffering from sepsis. More widely, it gives a very clear insight into what patients might experience while in a coma.
The book relates the personal experiences of the both the person suffering from sepsis and her partner. A very good and interesting book for both medical staff and the interested reader.
–Liz O’Hagan, Wolverhampton
For me, the book had an unexpected ‘thriller’ aspect, and to my surprise I soon discovered I was becoming completely hooked on what on earth would happen next. But, of course, it is more than this. There were other intriguing areas: the positive that can follow a jolt, the power of human support, the strange delusional world of hospitalisation.
I identified very much with the ‘message’ to stick with your own convictions and try and get the established medics to adjust their rigid treatment programme if at all possible to take on board your own convictions.
–Frank Cockett, Woodchester
This was a real page-turner: I just had to find out what happened next! It was a fascinating insight into what happens in the mind of someone in a coma, a story of deep friendship, and a struggle against the odds. For anyone finding themselves suddenly “medicalised” (which could happen to any of us) it is also a lesson in holding onto your beliefs and trusting your own intuition about what is good and necessary for you, rather than just letting the medical profession have their way. Funny and informative along the way, I thoroughly recommend it. I very much liked how it was clearly laid out in sections.
– Pam Buckle, Lawrence Weston