Sherry Gorman: Down the Rabbit Hole {Titanic Giveaway Hop}

  • Sunday, April 07, 2013

Today, I am featuring a harrowing semi-autobiographical medical thriller that I think is a perfect fit for the Titanic Giveaway Hop. It deviates a little from the literal theme, but it is just as devastating. It’s Nothing Personal, is inspired by Sherry Gorman's real-life experience in a high-profile, high-stakes medical malpractice suit.

Don't forget to join the giveaway at the end of the post to get a chance win a copy of It's Nothing Personal. Welcome, Sherry!

Down the Rabbit Hole 

by Sherry Gorman MD (pen name Kate O'Reilley)

It's Nothing Personal
Amazon.com: Paperback | Kindle Edition
Imagine you go into the hospital for a simple, outpatient surgical procedure. All goes well. You go home the same day, take a couple days off to recover, and resume life as usual. Months later, you turn on the local news. A hepatitis C outbreak has occurred. The newscaster stands in front of the doors to the very hospital where you had your surgery. Quickly, you reach for the remote and turn up the volume.

“I’m standing here in front of Rose Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. News X has just learned that Kristen Parker, a surgical scrub technician previously employed by Rose, may have exposed numerous patients to hepatitis C. According to police and health officials, Parker has admitted to stealing syringes of fentanyl, a powerful intravenous narcotic. The syringes were intended for use on patients. According to allegations, Parker injected herself with the drug, refilled the dirty syringes with saline, and returned them before the theft was detected, knowing they would be used on patients. Parker is hepatitis C positive, and her crimes have placed an unknown number of patients at risk.

“Hospital officials have set up a 24-hour hepatitis hotline, and will be offering free, confidential hepatitis testing to any patient who underwent a surgical procedure at the hospital during the time period when Parker was employed.”


In a panic, you race to the hospital to be tested. Agonizing days pass while you wait for the results. On a sunny afternoon in mid-summer, your phone rings. It’s a hepatitis specialist from Rose calling to tell you that you tested positive. Your life has just changed forever.

***
Now imagine being one of the anesthesiologists who worked at Rose. You listen to the same news report as the patient. Your jaw drops in shock and repulsion. Days and weeks pass. The reality of impending litigation starts to sink in. Thinking back, did you do anything to make yourself vulnerable? Can you remember working with Kristen Parker? Will you be lucky and remain unscathed?

***

Months later, you receive a letter. You are informed that one of your patients has tested positive, and you are being sued for medical malpractice. Just like the patient, your life changes forever.

***

You’re the patient again. In order to treat the disease, your life is put on hold for well over a year while you endure painful injections and consume debilitating medications. Every day, you feel weak, exhausted. You can no longer work. Who do you blame? Kristen Parker? The scrub tech was promptly sentenced to thirty years in federal prison. She’s paying a price, but her incarceration does nothing to compensate you for your losses. Is it the hospital’s fault? After all, they hired her. If she had never been employed, the entire debacle would never have occurred. Or will you blame the doctors? After all, you think, if they hadn’t left their drugs in a place where Parker could steal them, you wouldn’t be fighting off a disease that no one deserves. Lawyers tell you that you deserve to be financially compensated. You start to believe them.

***

Now, for an instant, put your feet back in the shoes of the anesthesiologist. During your training, you were taught to have all your drugs ready to go and all equipment checked and immediately available before the patient enters the operating room. That way, if an emergency arose at any point, precious seconds would not be wasted and care could be administered immediately. You were also trained to trust the staff. A criminal preyed upon the vulnerabilities of a system based on trust and a doctor’s dedication to deliver optimal care. In spite of that, you, not the criminal, is being held accountable for her crimes.

About Sherry Gorman MD

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter 

Sherry Gorman (who recently shed her pen name Kate O’Reilley), 43, is a practicing physician specializing in anesthesiology. A native of Colorado, she continues to reside in the Rocky Mountain state with her husband and nearly teenage daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and staying active.

It's Nothing Personal by Sherry Gorman MD
Amazon.com: Paperback | Kindle Edition

Synopsis: It’s Nothing Personal is a work of fiction inspired by my real-life journey through hell as I was torn apart in a high-profile, high-stakes medical malpractice suit. In the world of litigation, the noble concepts of right and wrong become meaningless. It’s all about winning, at any cost. Accusations are stated as if they are fact. The spin becomes more important than the truth. Manipulation and trickery are commonplace. It’s Nothing Personal is not only a compelling and gripping medical thriller; it’s also a story of triumph and strength.
Giveaway!
Sherry is giving away 1 paperback, open International.

Please use Rafflecopter (sometimes it takes a while to load).


Check out the other stops in this hop for more great giveaways!

59 comments

  1. Dang! This book sounds intense! I'm already thinking of which side to take.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vonnie,

      I hope you enjoy it. Please keep in touch and let me know your thoughts.

      xxxooo,

      Sherry

      Delete
  2. malpractics is always an interesting issue.
    thanks for the giveaway!

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    Replies
    1. Ashtrie,

      It was an awful period of my life, but the story is intense and sure to please.

      Best,

      Sherry

      Delete
  3. it's intrique me...i want to read "nothing personal"
    thx u for the chance :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Nurmawati,

      Good luck on the giveaway.

      Best,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  4. How courageous to write a book about your own experience.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rilekat,

      Sometimes there is a very fine line between courage and stupidity :) Anyway, I'm glad I did it, and I hope readers are moved by the story. Have a great night.

      Best,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  5. This sounds like an AWESOME read. I'm a pediatrician so it's right up my alley. Btw, the twitter message doesn't match the book! I changed it for my tweet! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christina,

      As a fellow doctor, you will probably love it. Especially if you or someone you know has faced litigation.

      Take care,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  6. This sounds really interesting. I am putting it on my to be read list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rhonda,

      Are you on goodreads? Let me know when you read it. I'd love to get your feedback. Have a great evening and thank you for your interest.

      Hugs,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  7. I would love to read this! This book sounds like such an interesting read. Thank you for the giveaway and have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina,

      Good luck! Even if you don't win, maybe you can still read it. If you do, I thank you ahead of time and would love to hear your comments.

      Best,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  8. I have heard good things about this one. It sounds interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tia,

      It warms my heart to hear you say you've already heard great things. Please keep in touch. I'm on goodreads, too.

      Best,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  9. This sounds really interesting. I was never very big into "medical books" but recently I've started to read a few and really liked them, so this sounds fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi RIN,

      Not only is it a medical thriller, but it is also a very intense psychological and legal thriller as well. If you do read it, please let me know your thoughts. Have a great evening.

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  10. This book sounds great and feels so different compared to most of the books!
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dita,

      I hope you end up reading It's Nothing Personal. I think you will find that it's different, because it's based on a very unique, real-life story. Thanks for your interest.

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  11. Now this book is right up my alley I love medical mysteries, suspense, I am an old retired nurse.. SO I want to read "It's Nothing Personal"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy,

      Based on your love of medical mysteries and your profession, I think you would really enjoy It's Nothing Personal. If you read it, please keep in touch. I'm on goodreads. I would love to hear your impressions.

      xxxooo,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  12. OMG! its awesomeee! I want to read it!

    Thank you so much! ♥

    rafflecopter name: Joss A.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Irene/Joss,

      Wasn't sure how to address you :) Good luck to you. If you win, I hope you love it. If you don't, I hope you read it anyway. I think you would enjoy. Have a wonderful evening and thank you for your time.

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  13. The cover of the book is really well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cp,

      I was lucky enough to stumble upon Ryan Jarvis . . . an extremely talented and, at the time, starving artist. When I saw the cover for the first time, I cried. He did a great job. Thanks for the mention.

      xxxooo,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  14. Replies
    1. Simona,

      Good luck to you.

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  15. Looks like a great read. love the cover too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ash,

      I hope you get the chance to read it and enjoy. Thank you for the compliment on the cover. I was lucky. It just came together perfectly. And I had a great graphic artist.

      Have a great night,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  16. Why did you choose that book to feature?

    ReplyDelete
  17. WOW...haven't heard of this before..that's why I LOVE book blogs...always find the great reads there!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michele,

      I hope you take the time to read my book. It's based upon my real life experiences. I have been fortunate enough to have received rave reviews. Please keep in touch on goodreads.

      xxxooo,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  18. this sounds like a great read! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nikki,

      I hope you get the chance to read and enjoy It's Nothing Personal. If you do, I would love to hear your impressions on GoodReads.

      Best,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  19. Just reading this little bit really grabs you to read the book. Sounds great.
    beh2351@frontier.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michele,

      Even if you don't win the giveaway, I hope you read my novel. I think you would really enjoy it. Anyway, thank you for taking the time to comment.

      Have a great evening,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  20. The book sounds really interesting. I'd love to read it. It's really intriguing me.

    Thanks for this giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amel,

      Good luck in the giveaway. If you don't win, please take a chance on my book anyway. It's received great reviews.

      Best,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  21. This is one of those situations where real-life is more frightening than fiction! It sounds like an awesome book, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Darlene,

      That's exactly why I wrote it. My friends and family said, "Truth is stranger and more intriguing than fiction." They were right. In actuality, there is a bit of each in the novel. If you do read it, please keep in touch thru GoodReads. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

      xxxooo,

      Sherry Gorman

      Delete
  22. Thanks for the great giveaway!
    I'm really intrigued by the book and want to read it!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for the international giveaway!!

    Rafflecopter name - Rose Lennart

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for the giveaway. I really want to read this.

    ReplyDelete
  25. sounds like a fun one thanks for the giveaway! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  26. I don't normally read 'true' books, but I love medical thrillers and this sounds more up that alley, so I will definitely check it out. Thanks for joining this hop and your giveaway!
    Bonnie Hilligoss/bonhill@speakeasy.net

    ReplyDelete
  27. This book sounds SO good! I love such type of books! :) Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I have entered your Titanic Giveaway Hop
    It would be great to win a copy of It's Nothing Personal by Sherry Gorman MD
    I haven't read any of Sherry Gorman's books but i enjoy reading and
    discovering new authors.
    Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. This sounds really good! Going on my wishlist!
    -Amber
    goodblinknpark(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  30. This sounds like a very interesting book that I could really get into.

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  31. This sounds so intense! And scary because you can never know what's going to happen in life, even in places with "experts" like hospitals

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  32. wow this seems like a really intense book!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  33. I'm a retired nurse and love reading medical fiction. I hope your case came out all right for you. The book sounds amazing.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. This book sounds great!!! momlovesdeals at gmail dot com

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  35. What an intense drama unfolds here. Would love to win it! Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am so excited to read this book! I love a good medical thriller :) Thanks!
    oddball2003 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete




© guiltless readingMaira Gall