Giant Cell Arteritis: An Elusive Odyssey

This is a journal of a female patient who lost vision in one eye at age 65 before being diagnosed with Giant Cell (Temporal) Arteritis. This rare illness mainly affects Northern Europeans over age 50. Risk is higher for women and increases with age. Blindness or aortic aneurysms can occur. Any large arteries can be affected. The author analyzes medical decisions in her treatment. Acute phase reactants showed in two/thirds of her tests she was under treated. In her final hours in the ER medical protocols were violated. The story is written by the patient's caregiver husband. Logs of events and doctors' visits are provided. Medications that may have caused her harm are described. A reviewer wrote: "It's a marvelously beautifully written story of frustration, heartbreak and tragedy. The extent of research, the careful note taking, all the factors that the author incorporated into the book shows a degree of dedication and care that would be difficult to surpass."