Preparing for surgery can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for children. To quell those fears, Dr. Mariah Gosling (JABSOM MD 2022) penned a book for young audiences titled “Toby’s Magic Bubbles: An Anesthesia Story,” a story that she hopes will provide a sense of calm for pediatric patients in the pre-operative stages.
The book focuses on a sea turtle named Toby, who is about to go into surgery, and shares those same feelings of nervousness before an operation. He then discovers that magic bubbles - a symbolization of anesthesia - bring a sense of comfort for his surgical procedure as he dives into this dreamlike world full of new friends and new adventures. It’s during the experience with the magic bubbles that Toby finds his own courage.
Gosling, who is in her final year of the University of Miami’s Anesthesiology Residency Program, hopes that feeling of bravery translates to her young readers. Her inspiration for the book was through the moments she shared with her pediatric patients.
“As a soon to be pediatric anesthesiology fellow, spending time with patients in the preoperative setting, I discovered my passion for helping children feel safe and empowered in the medical setting,” she said.
She credits her time at JABSOM, as well as her mentors Dr. Jason Isa (JABSOM MD 2002) and Dr. Cindy Ku, for helping her to grow as a compassionate physician in her career.
“[Drs. Isa and Ku] taught me the foundations of anesthesia and welcomed me like family,” Gosling said “I admired their knowledge, procedural skills, and the genuine rapport they built with patients—and it was in those moments that I knew anesthesiology was the path I wanted to follow.”
Between her time in the hospital, Gosling enrolled in a self-paced course that would guide her from drafting the story to publishing the book. Through writing workshops, Gosling recruited an editor, illustrator and graphic designer to help enhance the story and bring her vision to life.
In a way, Gosling parallels her character Toby, braving through a new adventure herself - as an author.
“Writing this book helped me reconnect with my creative side,” she shared. “I really enjoyed the writing workshops and meeting people I never would have met otherwise. The whole process pushed me outside my comfort zone, but it also showed me that I can accomplish anything when I put my mind to it.”
The book can
now be purchased on Amazon in paperback form or on Kindle, just in time for the holiday season. Gosling’s goal is to donate the book to children’s hospitals to encourage those that they, too, can share the same courageous spirit as Toby the sea turtle.
