Dr. Meguid’s multi-part series, A Surgeon’s Tale, chronicles his life from childhood in Egypt and post-war Germany to his medical training in London. The fourth book, “Great Joys, Great Sorrows,” follows his move to America to advance his career in the early 1970s. It provides a detailed account of his hospital rotations, personal relationships, and the unique experiences of immigration. This memoir highlights resilience and overcoming obstacles while offering an in-depth look behind the scenes in the medical field.
During his training at Harvard, Dr. Meguid worked 110-hour weeks, studying the complexities of surgery across multiple fields and adjusting from London’s standards to those in America. This experience also brought ethical dilemmas doctors face and the careful approach needed in patient care. One example: “As surgeons, we often speak to our patients almost in the code of surgical jargon to reassure and comfort them. However, I have frequently wondered with a sense of unease and concern whether what the doctor says matches what the patient understands and imagines. Inherent in the ambiguous phrase ‘take care of you’ is ‘I’m the surgeon, the authority, and you are my patient. You must trust that I’ll do what is best for you.’” The pressure of holding life in your hands is certainly challenging.
Dr. Meguid also does an excellent job of explaining how different procedures work in a way that is easy for readers to understand, complete with photographs and diagrams. Some parts almost read like scientific research, but with a tone of sincerity, passion, and even sometimes humor that only a skilled author could write. In addition to his career, Dr. Meguid reflects on his wife, Victoria, managing his marriage alongside his career. He also reflects on his colleagues, both those who frustrated him and those he learned from. Ultimately, they all left a significant lasting impact on him. “Great Joys, Great Sorrows” is a fascinating peek behind the curtain of the intricacies of medical practice and highlights Dr. Meguid’s compassion, endurance, and intelligence.