The Monsoon Diaries: A Doctor's Journey of Hope and Healing from the ER Frontlines to the Far Reaches of the World

by Calvin D. Sun, Lisa Ling (Foreword by)

Overview

"There are heroes among us, and Dr. Calvin Sun is one of them. Read this book." -Lisa Ling, journalist

The Monsoon Diaries is the firsthand account of Dr. Calvin Sun, an emergency room doctor who worked tirelessly on the front lines in multiple hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drawing upon the lessons he learned from his adventures traveling to more than 190 countries in ten years, as well as from the grief he experienced as a teen when his father died, Dr. Sun shares his journey, from growing up as a young Asian American in New York to his calling first to medical school and then to the open road.

He believes that the fight for a better world creates meaning when all feels meaningless, and he hopes that telling his story will help readers reframe this tragic moment in our lifetimes into possibility, with the goal of building a more empathetic society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780785291756
Publisher:	Harper Horizon
Publication date:	09/27/2022
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	1,072,877
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Dr. Calvin D. Sun is an emergency physician and clinical assistant professor in emergency medicine. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York City, Dr. Sun worked at emergency rooms all over the city and soon gained a substantial online following from sharing his insider experiences and advice.

Dr. Sun has been a frequent guest on national and international new programs to help inform others of the pandemic situation in New York City. He brings medical knowledge and empathy to the story of COVID-19 and is no stranger to grief himself, having lost his father when he was just a teenager, and his grandfather to COVID-19.

Over the past ten years, Dr. Sun has traveled to over 190 countries, while also completing medical school and going through medical residency. With his organization, the Monsoon Diaries, he has led other everyday travelers around the world on memorable adventures.

Table of Contents

Foreword Lisa Ling v

Prologue March 26, 2020 ix

Prodrome February 24-March 7, 2020 l

Pyrexia March 8-18, 2020 13

Dyspnea March 19-29, 2020 49

Morbidity March 30-April 15, 2020 93

Cytokine Storm April 16-30, 2020 133

Convalescence May 1 -July 4, 2020 159

Notes 199

Acknowledgments 203

About the Author 209

Editorial Reviews

07/25/2022

Sun’s account of his efforts to save lives in New York City at the height of the pandemic doesn’t quite land in this off-balance memoir. At the start of his career, Sun chose to work as a per diem doctor who wasn’t affiliated with any hospital, which allowed him “to pick up shifts whenever and wherever I choose and when there is the greatest need.” That came in handy in March 2020, when Covid overwhelmed New York hospitals. Sun describes his and his colleagues’ improvised response to the relentless waves of patients—wearing N95 masks as long as possible, sharing messages about overworked staff on social media, and using protective gear donated by friends. Sun lost his grandfather to the disease, which he recounts vividly: “Just as I would have done, his team called the code and began CPR. But to no avail.” But such heartfelt passages about loss are too often alternated with recollections of Sun’s exotic foreign travels, and the florid prose tends to distract (“My hometown lies asleep under the tender maw of an Henri Rousseau lion”). This one doesn’t quite come together. Agent: Trinity McFadden, The Bindery. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

'When Dr. Calvin Sun asked me to write the forward for his book, I agreed never having read a single page. He had become such an important resource for me and so many others during the early days of the pandemic-arguably the most unpredictable time in our lives. I couldn't say no. I had no idea at the time of what kind of writer he was. When I finally got my hands on the manuscript, I was totally blown away. Calvin is a phenomenal writer who gave me Jack Kerouac vibes. This book is not about Covid. It's about a young man's journey into the unknown and how it prepared him to face down the most unimaginable of challenges. In doing so, Dr. Sun found himself and ultimately, his voice. I could not recommend this book more highly. I am sure that, you too, will be blown away.'

journalist Lisa Ling

'From the very beginning of the pandemic, Dr. Calvin Sun was my go-to expert on everything covid for my MSNBC show. He brought honest, raw, analysis of the situation not only in NYC but around the world. I was fascinated to read in Monsoon Diaries about the behind-the-scenes situation, and also learn about his only personal struggles.'

Former MSNBC anchor Kendis Gibson

'A deeply personal insightful account of Dr Calvin Sun's life in a warzone, NYC the epicenter of the COVID 19 global pandemic. Heartbreaking tales of survival, lack of PPE, his brilliance at improvisation, interspersed with reflections on his global travels bringing a sense of levity to the situation. Family loss and grief changing him forever. A must read.'

Kathryn Milofsky

'In The Monsoon Diaries, Dr. Calvin D. Sun, an emergency physician and experienced globetrotter, invites us to be his companions on a journey into the heart of the covid pandemic. As the coronavirus spreads through New York City in early 2020, Sun documents it all: the confusion and exhaustion among patients and clinicians, as well as the tenacity and community that buoys the ER. A gripping, honest portrayal of those who faced the pandemic head-on during its most harrowing stage.'

science journalist Ben Guarino

'The Monsoon Diaries tells the story of the nation's pandemic like nothing else can. Dr. Calvin Sun had a front row seat to almost every emergency room in New York City. He highlights the suffering, victories, and enormous fear frontline workers went through. It is an incredibly fast read and eye-opening account of what the unknown looks like. Dr. Sun embarks on a personal journey questioning himself while also looking to find meaning even as the pandemic loosens its grip. If you are restless at all, you will connect with the author on another level. The Monsoon Diaries will inspire you to take the first step in your own life of whatever brings you meaning. Its all about showing up.'

Guest Booker at Newsy Television Sue Doherty