A Guide to Navigating Life’s Decisions by Professional Orthopedic Surgeon

Throughout the book, I noticed interesting and distinctive uses of English. I learned English during my high-school years and have spent some time in England and Scotland, so I am more familiar with British–Scottish English. I could not be sure whether your style reflects characteristics of American English, but I feel as though you have developed a language that is uniquely your own. Your masterful, effective, and well-placed use of scientific, philosophical, and religious concepts deeply impressed me.

Your concise, clear, and universal approach to theological matters is particularly elegant.

I was especially fond of the concepts of processors and creators.

Throughout the manuscript, there are striking examples of binary choices: monumental/insignificant, chaos/harmony, resonate/fleeting, Protestants/Catholics, recreation/leisure.

My late elder brother (a sociologist and historian, a true intellectual was he) translated and published Erich Fromm’s You Shall Be as Gods into Turkish. At various points while reading your book, I experienced a sense of déjà vu in relation to that work.

Your discussion made me reconsider the difference between need and desire. I found myself reflecting on how often I do things I desire rather than truly need.

Once again, I was reminded that time is an irreplaceable value.

I also revisited the lives of extraordinary, talented, hardworking, and creative figures from relatively recent American history, such as Roosevelt and Franklin.

I already occasionally cite Roosevelt’s life struggle as an example to my physically disabled patients.

In Turkey, there is a similarly striking figure: my former medical school professor, the late Prof. Agop Kotoğyan. At the age of nine, he suffered a right subcapital humeral amputation following an accident. Despite coming from a poor family, he completed medical school and became a highly respected dermatologist. He was also a professor I loved dearly. He received the “High Human Values Award” for supporting more than 400 medical students. May his soul rest in peace.

I fully agree with your view that humility is an indispensable quality for cooperation and teamwork.

Your remarks on clothing style and the impressions it creates on others are genuinely entertaining.

I was curious about the name of the Korean colleague who chose a form of euthanasia.

I feel that you address so-called “materialistic” topics, such as education, diet, independence, time management, and careers, more forcefully and with greater ease. I sensed that the spiritual and religious topics may have been more challenging for you. This perception may, of course, be entirely subjective on my part. Perhaps addressing the materialistic topics earlier in the book and moving the first few chapters toward the end might make the book flow more comfortably for the reader. I hope you consider publishing new editions of your book.

We surgeons (at least I) rely heavily on visual material. I believe this book would benefit greatly from visual support. Topics that require pages of text can sometimes be conveyed far more clearly through a well-designed illustration. I know that you have a special talent for creating and using visual material. When one adds the dimension of time to three dimensions, your ability to think in “four dimensions” becomes strikingly evident.

I have written a review on cerebral adaptation and plasticity, which will be published in JHS-E. I will send you the published version as soon as it appears. I hope you will find it worth your time.

In summary, your book provided me with a wonderful and intellectually refreshing start to 2026. My son Can is currently going through an intense examination period. Once this phase is over, I will pass the book on to him. I believe he will read it with great pleasure.

Thank you for your patience.