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Be Patient

Life, loss and laughter from behind the hospital curtain

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Be Patient

By: Tilly Rose
Narrated by: Tilly Rose
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'Darkly funny as well as deeply shocking, [Be Patient] is an antidote to This is Going to Hurt... This is what it's like to be on the other side of Britain's hospital wards' -The Times

'Tilly writes beautifully, with such compassion... the insight that she gives the reader is astonishing.' -Donna Ashworth, poet and author of Wild Hope and Growing Brave

'A story of perseverance, the importance of advocating for yourself and how the kindness of strangers can have a huge impact... A lesson to us all on what it is to have hope, even when we are at our most depleted. Shocking, brave and raw.' - Giovanna Fletcher, author, podcaster, actress and activist

'What a sensational read. A real, heartfelt, and insightful look into the lived experience of someone managing their chronic health issues.' -Dr Nighat Arif, author of The Knowledge

'I found this book both heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. A true story of resilience, hope and unwavering courage. A reminder to us all that life is worth living and that love really can conquer all.' -Frankie Bridge, presenter and author of Open

'An inspiring account of a patient journey. Recommended for all.' -Dr Ed Patrick, comedian and author of Catch Your Breath

'Nothing short of a literary miracle... I loved it.' - Abi Morgan (OBE), screenwriter and author of This is Not a Pity Memoir

***

It's the sleepover from hell that no one prepared you for. The doctors have gone to medical school, the nurses have gone to uni - but what about the patients?

Be Patient is a warm, darkly comic account of Tilly's desperate search for a diagnosis, against the backdrop of a hilariously funny, heartfelt and, at times, shocking insight into patient life.

A 'medical mystery' for over 20 years, Tilly has spent a lifetime navigating GP waiting rooms, A&E departments and hospital wards. She has been given a front row seat watching humanity at its worst (or its best, depending on how you look at it). Along the way, she has become highly qualified at two things: being a patient and being very patient.

Now, she is shining a bright hospital strip light onto a space that none of us want to occupy but one we know, with some certainty, that we will. Complete with 'survival tips' and fuelled with humour (the best medicine of all), Be Patient is an extraordinary memoir on resilience, hope and finding strength in the face of adversity.©2024 Tilly Rose Alternative & Complementary Medicine Medical Professionals & Academics Women Heartfelt Feel-Good Funny Inspiring Thought-Provoking Celebrity Medical Education Resilience
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Critic reviews

A story of perseverance, the importance of advocating for yourself and how the kindness of strangers can have a huge impact. Having been aware of Tilly for a few years it's been fascinating to sit and read about her story in more depth. After years of not being listened to, I'm so glad Tilly is being heard now. A lesson to us all on what it is to have hope, even when we are at our most depleted. Shocking, brave and raw.
Tilly writes beautifully, with such compassion. She has a wise understanding far beyond her years. The insight that she gives the reader is in depth and astonishing. It is delivered in such a relatable way and even with humour. I think this is a really important book for all of us.
What a sensational read. A real, heartfelt, and insightful look into the lived experience of someone managing their chronic health issues.
I found this book both heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. A true story of resilience, hope and unwavering courage. A reminder to us all that life is worth living and that love really can conquer all.
In becoming the expert that no one wants to be Tilly Rose turns the worst prize in the raffle into the best, wittiest, most painful, most human quest to find the answer to a medical mystery that no one else can solve. This is a triumph of spirit over adversity. I found myself not only falling in love with its author but also rooting for her to find a cure. To have written it from the battlefield of illness is nothing short of a literary miracle. This book, like its author is the dandelion that grows between the cracks. I loved it .
An inspiring account of a torturous patient journey. A recommended read for all.
Be Patient is a medical mystery. But it's also much more than that....The young woman who had ambitions to become a journalist if she hadn't been so ill went undercover from under the covers.... Darkly funny as well as deeply shocking, [Be Patient] is an antidote to This is Going to Hurt... This is what it's like to be on the other side of Britain's hospital wards.'
Tilly lifts the lid on the other side of the patient curtain with wit, warmth and humanity. Her experiences are shocking, uplifting and everything in between, and her determination to turn her pain and resilience into change for the healthcare sector is remarkable. This is a book for anyone who's been a patient, knows a patient or will become a patient - and that's all of us.
Written like a fictional novel... one of the best memoirs I have ever read
All stars
Most relevant
Tilly if you ever read this please know your story touched me in a way I wasn't sure a book ever could. As a young woman with chronic illnesses myself, this is the first time I've read something and actually felt seen. You are so inspirational and I am beyond grateful you decided to share your story with the world. I am also in the process of being investigated for Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome myself and already have a diagnosis of POTS and I really feel like after reading this I can better advocate for myself thanks to both you and your mums stregnth and determination. You are incredible Tilly! I hope when you read this you're having a beautiful day <3 x

Insightful and eye watering!

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I’ve such admiration for Tilly (and her support team!); how she clings onto hope and perseveres through her rollercoaster of a patient journey. This book has highlighted just how important patient-centred care. A must read for anyone, but particularly healthcare professionals

A heartbreaking but fantastic read.

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I pre-ordered this book weeks ago after following Tilly's patient journey on IG. I have been a patient several times and experienced similar things to Tilly but thankfully only for days at a time not weeks, months and years like Tilly. I have also worked as a nurse but had to leave due to mental and physical burnout as The NHS often fails its staff almost as much as it sadly fails some patients. I am in awe at how positive Tilly remains and applaud her dedicated team of family and friends. Beautifully written and narrated. I know Tilly's journey went into a new phase in Germany and I hope she will write a follow-up covering this. An absolute 'must read' for patients, medics, anyone.

Honest and Unwavering

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Tilly is an utter inspiration. A very raw and emotional delve into ‘life behind the curtain’. Beautifully written. Anyone who has stayed in hospital will resonate with some of Tilly’s story. Highlights the sad failings of the hospital system too.

Incredibly moving

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A very well presented and accurate description of life as a patient in the UK. Not every patient fits into a neat box. Medics and politicians should read this.

Accurate &well written.

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