Comments for carol cassella's blog http://carolcassella.com/blog personal truisms about doctoring, writing, and whatever crosses my mind Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:31:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on The Family Vacation–You’ve Been There by Administrator http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/25/the-family-vacation-youve-been-there/#comment-90 Administrator Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:34:32 +0000 http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/25/the-family-vacation-youve-been-there/#comment-90 Hi Lois and Readers, Ouch--it stings to realize my book has unintentionally offended someone. But Ms. Logan raises a good point, and I'm glad she wrote. First off, I have to remind every reader that my characters are fictional. They all have elements of me in them, of course, but they do not always say and do what I would. That said, in Marie's defense, the description is not intended sarcastically. To wade through the astounding roadblocks placed between many low income patients and vitally needed housing, medications, therapy and transportation takes a person gifted with deep knowlege of an ever-shifting system and persistent determination to look for new funds when budget cuts bleed existing programs dry. I have worked at several facilities where the dedicated work of MSWs was not clearly filed or integrated into the doctors database and plan. If First Lutheran had paid closer attention to these notes fro the beginning, the outcome for Jolene might have been quite different. Hi Lois and Readers,
Ouch–it stings to realize my book has unintentionally offended someone. But Ms. Logan raises a good point, and I’m glad she wrote. First off, I have to remind every reader that my characters are fictional. They all have elements of me in them, of course, but they do not always say and do what I would.

That said, in Marie’s defense, the description is not intended sarcastically. To wade through the astounding roadblocks placed between many low income patients and vitally needed housing, medications, therapy and transportation takes a person gifted with deep knowlege of an ever-shifting system and persistent determination to look for new funds when budget cuts bleed existing programs dry. I have worked at several facilities where the dedicated work of MSWs was not clearly filed or integrated into the doctors database and plan. If First Lutheran had paid closer attention to these notes fro the beginning, the outcome for Jolene might have been quite different.

]]> Comment on The Family Vacation–You’ve Been There by loislogan http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/25/the-family-vacation-youve-been-there/#comment-83 loislogan Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:40:39 +0000 http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/25/the-family-vacation-youve-been-there/#comment-83 I tried to leave you an email, but was unable to do so. I just finished reading you novel, Oxygen. I found you description of social workers incorrect. I do not know what they do where you are but here in New York they are not idealistic, bureaucratically talented assistants, but highly respected professional with a six year (including all of college) degree. They are part of a treatment team who's information is necessary to the physician, family and other treating units and involved services. They are the architects of the after care plan, the patients connection in the community and often the one who knows the patients the best. Also their notes are not filed under miscellaneous, but in a section labeled Social Work Notes. I tried to leave you an email, but was unable to do so. I just finished reading you novel, Oxygen. I found you description of social workers incorrect. I do not know what they do where you are but here in New York they are not idealistic, bureaucratically talented assistants, but highly respected professional with a six year (including all of college) degree. They are part of a treatment team who’s information is necessary to the physician, family and other treating units and involved services. They are the architects of the after care plan, the patients connection in the community and often the one who knows the patients the best. Also their notes are not filed under miscellaneous, but in a section labeled Social Work Notes.

]]> Comment on Fifteen Minutes of Fame? Well …. by Lauren Smith http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-80 Lauren Smith Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:01:24 +0000 http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-80 Hi Carol, Just wanted to say that I loved your book! I've recommended it to everyone I know. I work at a medical center so I know a lot of people are interested! Thanks for signing it for me at Border's in July. It was great to see you and to see Ellen. Congratulations on all your success! I can't wait for the next one. Lauren (Dede Patterson Smith's daughter) Hi Carol,

Just wanted to say that I loved your book! I’ve recommended it to everyone I know. I work at a medical center so I know a lot of people are interested! Thanks for signing it for me at Border’s in July. It was great to see you and to see Ellen. Congratulations on all your success! I can’t wait for the next one.

Lauren (Dede Patterson Smith’s daughter)

]]> Comment on Lost in Books at BEA by Kathy http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/06/02/lost-in-books-at-bea/#comment-79 Kathy Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:33:59 +0000 http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/06/02/lost-in-books-at-bea/#comment-79 Carol -- Books live! Have you seen Illuminating the Word - the St. John's Bible at the Tacoma Art Museum until Sept. 5? It's the first illuminated bible in 500 years -- Donald Jackson, who has a scriptorum in Wales, is the project manager. Take your kids and maybe you can convert them. Loved OXYGEN -- could not put it down! Hope you have many more in the hopper. Kathy Carol — Books live! Have you seen Illuminating the Word - the St. John’s Bible at the Tacoma Art Museum until Sept. 5? It’s the first illuminated bible in 500 years — Donald Jackson, who has a scriptorum in Wales, is the project manager. Take your kids and maybe you can convert them.

Loved OXYGEN — could not put it down! Hope you have many more in the hopper.

Kathy

]]> Comment on Fifteen Minutes of Fame? Well …. by Al Newsom, Southlake TX http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-78 Al Newsom, Southlake TX Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:44:14 +0000 http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-78 I am reading David Baldacci along with Oxygen and I must say that your writing style, use of language and story-telling is far superior. Keep up the good work. Don't keep us waiting for the next one too long. I am reading David Baldacci along with Oxygen and I must say that your writing style, use of language and story-telling is far superior. Keep up the good work. Don’t keep us waiting for the next one too long.

]]> Comment on Fifteen Minutes of Fame? Well …. by Kate http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-55 Kate Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:28:01 +0000 http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-55 Dear Carol: I just finished OXYGEN and it was a wonderful read! Thanks for sweeping me away on a high tension ride (like that roller coaster at Astro World) for awhile. Also enjoyed your descriptions of Houston and Seattle; two places I know intimately. You've captured these beautifully. I can connect with the complexities of each patient encounter, the joys and the extreme responsibility. You've really captured the agony of a medical malpractice claim against a physician. Great job and I'm eagerly waiting for the next book! Dear Carol:

I just finished OXYGEN and it was a wonderful read! Thanks for sweeping me away on a high tension ride (like that roller coaster at Astro World) for awhile. Also enjoyed your descriptions of Houston and Seattle; two places I know intimately. You’ve captured these beautifully. I can connect with the complexities of each patient encounter, the joys and the extreme responsibility. You’ve really captured the agony of a medical malpractice claim against a physician. Great job and I’m eagerly waiting for the next book!

]]> Comment on Fifteen Minutes of Fame? Well …. by Administrator http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-52 Administrator Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:27:37 +0000 http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-52 So great to hear feedback on the book. It has surprised me to hear OXYGEN described as a medical thriller in a few reviews. I've always felt is was a medically based drama. Kind of highlights the downsides of our current tendency to categorize every novel. It's a pretty lonely business out here writing, and I just love knowing readers are finding and enjoying the book. Tell your friends, and please keep posting--I will get more blogs out as soon as I get a free (or at least cheap) moment! So great to hear feedback on the book. It has surprised me to hear OXYGEN described as a medical thriller in a few reviews. I’ve always felt is was a medically based drama. Kind of highlights the downsides of our current tendency to categorize every novel.

It’s a pretty lonely business out here writing, and I just love knowing readers are finding and enjoying the book. Tell your friends, and please keep posting–I will get more blogs out as soon as I get a free (or at least cheap) moment!

]]> Comment on Fifteen Minutes of Fame? Well …. by Eve Altman http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-51 Eve Altman Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:22:00 +0000 http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-51 Many people are writing "medical thrillers" but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Hope there are more to come. Many people are writing “medical thrillers” but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Hope there are more to come.

]]> Comment on Fifteen Minutes of Fame? Well …. by Sherry Dawson http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-49 Sherry Dawson Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:24:45 +0000 http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/31/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-well/#comment-49 Oh my gosh, diffenently turn to your picture in the book. You deserve for everyone to know you are the author! I would so freak out if that clerk were I. I say smile and brag a little. Awesome book. Oh my gosh, diffenently turn to your picture in the book.
You deserve for everyone to know you are the author!
I would so freak out if that clerk were I.
I say smile and brag a little.
Awesome book.

]]> Comment on Blog Fodder at Last–The Book Tour by Sherry Dawson http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/27/blog-fodder-at-last-the-book-tour/#comment-48 Sherry Dawson Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:17:55 +0000 http://carolcassella.com/blog/2008/07/27/blog-fodder-at-last-the-book-tour/#comment-48 Was excited to find this site. I just finished your book, it was so awesome! I reieved it for my Birthday, and could not put it down. I cant wait for your next one to come out. I am hoping it also will be medical. You have such a serious job, I am sure you have tons of stories to tell.How about one about your days in medical school, they are always exciting to read. You go Girl! Always Sherry Was excited to find this site.
I just finished your book, it was so awesome!
I reieved it for my Birthday, and could not put it down. I cant wait for your next one to come out. I am hoping it also will be medical. You have such a serious job, I am sure you have tons of stories to tell.How about one about your days in medical school, they are always exciting to read.

You go Girl!

Always Sherry

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