Children of a Bold God

Surgeon's Life #2

by Yael Dreznik

As we enter the operating room, the mother embraces me tightly. "I'm entrusting her to you," she says. She notices the hint of a tear in my eye. Her daughter's life is quite literally in our hands; there's no other way to put it. "Scalpel for Dreznik," Dr. Dlugy commands, as we stand before an abdomen distended by the tumor. "Make the incision."

In a sensitive way yet sharp as a surgeon's knife, Dr. Dreznik, a pediatric surgeon, describes the most special, emotional, and overwhelming stories of life, illnesses and death.

It's the world in which one of the most beautiful missions of humanity is carried out - healing infants, children, and teenagers from severe illnesses, tumors, road accidents, and congenital defects.

This is an unforgettable book that fascinatingly describes the history of medicine and pediatric surgery along with real and thrilling stories from the operating room.

When dealing with one of the most demanding professions, a deep understanding of its fundamentals is required. However, more than that, a deep introspection is necessary, looking into the principles that define what a good doctor is and, furthermore, what a good person is, and how these principles should always be in front of our eyes.

This book is the second in the "Surgeon’s Life" trilogy following the first best-selling book in the series, "And the Night Has Yet to Come."

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Yael Dreznik's path to medicine was far from traditional. Initially dreaming of a career in economics, she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees and began working at the Ministry of Finance. Despite her professional success, she felt a growing pull toward a different path—one that combined her desire to make a tangible impact with her passion for helping others.

At the age of twenty-eight, Yael made the decision to leave her established career and pursue medicine. Drawn to surgery's challenges and inspired by the resilience of young patients, she specialized in pediatric surgery, a field she found profoundly meaningful.

Today, Yael is a senior pediatric surgeon at Schneider Children's Hospital. During her residency, she began documenting her experiences, leading to the acclaimed trilogy Surgeon’s Life, which offers readers a rare glimpse into the world of surgery through her eyes.

Yael is married and the proud mother of two daughters—one a combat soldier in the army and the other a high school student.

Books by Yael Dreznik:

1. The Trilogy "Surgeon's Life": in march 2022 Yael's first book "And the night has yet to come" was released in Hebrew, quickly becoming a bestseller in Israel. The book chronicles the life of a general surgery resident, hour by hour, with each chapter representing an entire hour during a shift, based on real-life events. About a year later, she decided to translate it into English and self-published it on Amazon. In September 2023, her second book on pediatric surgery, titled "Children of a bold god", was released. This book portrays twelve months where each month details a unique case in pediatric surgery, associated with a virtue or quality based on the 12 virtues of Aristotle. The book also includes details of the history of medicine and specifically the history of pediatric surgery. The third book, "portrait of victory", contains 30 short essays from a blog written by Dr. Dreznik. It provides a window into the emotional, frightening, saddening, and unique events in the world of medicine, and particularly in the realm of surgery. The thirty pieces in this book are not ordinary tales recounting some story from the operating room or ward life. They are stories that convey a specific message about how we should shape our lives. About how we must embrace ourselves and move forward, realize our dreams, and do our very best. Because only then can we imagine our own "picture of victory". This is the third book that concludes the trilogy of the surgeon's life.

2. The Seventh of October Project is a project aimed at documenting medical, nursing, and rescue teams during the Hamas attack on the State of Israel on the seventh of October, 2023. In this project, dozens of different healthcare professionals were interviewed, including hospital administrators, doctors, nurses, and rescue personnel. The project's goal is to raise global awareness of the heinous crimes committed by Hamas against humanity and to tell the story of one of the largest mass casualty events in the world. This book was published in 2024.

Reviews

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir focuses on Yael Dreznik’s work as a pediatric surgeon. She shares real stories from the operating room — the pressure, the uncertainty, the long hours, and the emotional toll of caring for very sick children and their families.

The book is about professional courage, responsibility, and the cost of bearing life-and-death decisions day after day.

[Anne Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great God gives Bold Surgeons

Dreznik does it again. Just an a absolutely wonderfully well written, unflinchingly honest book about the immense challenges of becoming a really skilled surgeon and a really good person. I just couldn't quit reading this and will I'm sure read it numerous times again. I loved the design of the book - riveting stories of complicated surgeries and heart rending decisions of a wonderful person connecting with patients and families in some of the most difficult periods of their lives, and organized around a set of life characteristics that should and can challenge us all to become better people. It was thrilling and heart breaking on nearly every page. Her skill and courage, endurance and stamina, humanity and compassion shine through every account. If you love people and medicine and life you will love this book.

[Julianna Mauga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book

Beautiful book, beautifully written with beautiful storries. This book definitely pulls on the heartstrings. Don't pass it up, but do have a box of tissues available.

[Aletha Pagett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet, sweet book was the way for a pediatric surgeon to share her heart. The only fault I can find is it was too short! This e-book was received from Goodreads.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

יש משהו מאוד ישראלי ומרגש בצורה שד"ר דרזניק כותבת וכמובן גם האירועים שאותם היא מתארת, אז אני מרגישה שאני צריכה לכתוב את הביקורת הזו בעברית (אפילו שהספר לא).
ספר יוצא דופן ביכולת שלו לרגש ולשקף את החשיבה של מנתחת, וספציפית מנתחת ילדים. למדתי על עולם שלם מופלא ומפחיד להפליא שאותו לא הכרתי, וזה באמת מרגיש כמו כבוד לזכות להצצה לתוכו.
גם הספר הזה וגם 26 שעות היו נפלאים וגרמו לי להרגיש מחוברת יותר למקצוע בו בחרתי.
נשארתי עם טעם של עוד, מקווה לקרוא עוד ספרים שלה בעתיד :)

[CONSTANCE COOK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Yael's books, real page turners, great, compassionate doctor. Learned a lot about medical issues reading this, but she is tops to me. We need more doctor's like her in the world. Thank you Dr. Dreznik for all you do and who you are.

[Lana Dekker · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

Excellent narratively educating the not so medical reader. Kudos to a beautiful Pediatric surgeon whose empathy she departs to parents is first class!

[William Alexander Cleaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Medical stories

Stories told by a pediatric surgeon with much empathy. I was able to read in one day (well Alexa read the book to me).

[Meghan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

love her perspective