Be Patient
Life, loss and laughter from behind the hospital curtain
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Be Patient
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Narrated by:
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Tilly Rose
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By:
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Tilly Rose
About this listen
'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
'Darkly funny as well as deeply shocking...this is what it's like to be on the other side of Britain's hospital wards.' -The Times
'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.©2025 Tilly Rose (P)2025 Octopus Publishing Group
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What listeners say about Be Patient
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- GDWELLARD
- 26-04-25
Narrative, narration and humour for a serious subject…
The world concentrates so much on Cancer. You read a book like this and learn that there are far worse health issues than Cancer. I am by no means playing down the suffering that Cancer patients experience but there is a huge amount of funding, resources and research that Cancer receives, I feel that there is a huge amount of other far worse life long health issues that need to be be addressed. This book does this in a coherent, comprehensive and when needed a humorous way.
Everyone needs to read this book. Not all disability are obvious.
I wish Tilly Rose and her team all the best, well done on getting to where you are now. Tilly’s partner is a shining example of love.
Anxiously awaiting the next book.
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- Linda Hoyle
- 25-04-25
Honest and Unwavering
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.
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- Anonymous User
- 04-05-25
A lesson in life
just as everyone working in education should watch adolescence, everyone working in health care should read Be Patient. An easy read but a total eye opener too!
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- Vicky
- 25-04-25
Tilly’s narration is absolutely brilliant!
What an amazing story - tough to listen to but so interesting - you’re so brave Tilly x
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- @jacquigatehouse
- 07-05-25
Moving, funny, anger inducing, downright scary
An amazing book written in an incredibly engaging way. If you want to truly understand what it's like when the doctors can't find out with you and give up... Demonstrates so clearly that the UK medical system, like many other countries, is built to treat identifiable diseases and not patients. If they can't put you in a box with a label then they have no idea what to do. Congratulations to Tilly Rose on a truly phenomenal book!
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- Jach
- 18-04-25
Absolutely Relatable
Love! Love! Love!
But also hate because the things Tilly experienced in the NHS should not happen, ever but they do, every single day… I know this first hand and to listen to Tilly is validating and inspiring…
Thank You from a fellow Dandelion x
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- Emma
- 01-05-25
Humbling. Moving. Brilliant.
A really honest account of life from a patient perspective under NHS treatment. Compassionate and understanding but also conveying a message: we need change. Thank you.
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- A D
- 23-04-25
Accurate &well written.
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.
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- Shannan
- 28-04-25
Insightful and eye watering!
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
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- Anonymous User
- 25-04-25
Captured me from the very beginning
What a ‘story’ from such a brave girl. I don’t know how I came across this book but I’m so glad I did, to be able to write your own difficult life chapters so well, with such good humour is a gift. Loved that it was narrated by the author too.
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