One Day When I Die…….

Here I am once again, to seemingly come on my blog and brag about my book. But I can honestly say, that though it may seem like I’m bragging, I am not. The reason I ever write about my book or post my reviews is because it drives home the fact that what happened to my daughter has happened to so many medical students, residents, doctors and young people in any station in life. And unfortunately, there are many more depressed students out there scared to get help and we must do something about it. And by doing this hopefully more can be done about this problem. I feel good that it is getting good reviews and though it is no longer in the top 10 of its category, it is still in the top rated section in its category.

I hope and really think that my book does Kaitlyn justice and with the information I learned that I added in there that it can help somehow. So many of Kaitlyn’s friends can’t even bear to crack open the book because they can’t bear to read about her death. And I so understand that. But also, there is so much of her beautiful life in there that will live on as long as the book survives. And of course she will live on in our hearts.

At least on my dying day, if I have time to think before I go, I will have known that though I have not done great feats in this world I have no doubt that I did do some of the most important things a person can do; I have loved my children, my husband and family with all my heart and did the best I could for them, though I was far from perfect. Love has always been given freely in my house. I have loved my family. And I have written this book and if one person can be saved from it, it will have served its purpose. But I hope my book spurs on more action in some way.

Here is my latest review from yesterday 8-25-14 and a link to the rest of the reviews.

By Karen Miday, MD – My Bright Shining Star: A Mother’s True Story of Brilliance, Love and Suicide (Paperback)

As a physician who has lost her physician son to suicide, I related to this book on many levels. Rhonda Elkins is the exceptional grieving parent who can transform her own tragic loss into a life raft for others. The theory she proposes about the risk factors for suicide that are inherent to the gifted is well-worth further inquiry and study. My son, gifted as well, struggled with clinical depression for many years. Hie, like Kaitlyn, lived his life passionately and full-force, always running rather than walking into the next new challenge or endeavor, always a step or two ahead of his peers. Is there something about the combination of talent and vulnerability that draws these young people to medicine? Is there something about medical academia that hails the talent but spurns the vulnerability? As a practicing psychiatric physician of 30 years, I can confidently state that both talent and vulnerability are necessary for the competent and compassionate practice of medicine. Kaitlyn and Greg are huge losses, not only for Rhonda and myself, but for all those who will not benefit from their intellect or their compassion. My heartfelt thanks to Rhonda Elkins for having the compassion and the talent to speak to us about her loss, and our loss. My hope is that it will remind us to not only recognize, but to embrace and nurture, the vulnerabilities and special needs of our gifted youth.