Customer Reviews

Seeds: A Memoir

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Dr. Vukelja (affectionately known by her friends and patients as "Dr. V")is a true American success story. Seeds tells the fascinating story of how she started life as a political refugee in war-torn Eastern Europe and has become one of the most respected Oncologists in America. When I read this book, I wasn't able to put it down until I finished it. It is extremely well written and enjoyable to read. You'll laugh as you read about her assimilation into the American culture, and you'll cry as you comprehend the massive obstacles that she had to overcome to arrrive at her current role as Physican, wife, mother, and friend to so many people in East Texas. Somebody should make this story into a movie!

Dr. Vukelja's book is very inspiring and motivating. It is very validating to anyone who has worked hard for something. It inspired me to pursue my dreams and look for people along the way I can help or motivate. The book causes a domino effect! The people who helped Dr. V and her mom inspired her to help others, and she has inspired me to do the same.

I absolutely loved this book and have recommended it to friends and family, many who have unknowingly planted seends in my life. I can only hope that I have done so in return. Often those seeds are unrecognizable at the time they are planted, and only realized when they come to fruition, as Dr. Vukelja's fascinating story demontrates. It is filled with hopes and disappointments, joys and sadness, and is a true testament that with determination, tenacity, perserverance and the love and goodness of others, that any obstacle can be overcome. Only God knows how our story will end, and this is a great example of how He works in our life, even when we are not really paying attention. It is also an authentic and honest look at at a mother/daughter relationship. Not to sound trite, but this book made me laugh and made me cry. I didn't want it to end.

Dr. V. is my doctor. I always knew she was very special but after reading her book I now understand why. This book made me cry and laugh and sometimes at the same time. I have already given it to two others who also feel the same as I do. Dr. V is so very special and I am here today because of her. We here in East Texas are so fortunate to have her.

Every visit I have had with her I had noticed her crazy socks but never knew the story behind them. She is a free spirit so I just thought she liked unusual socks. Now that I know the story I have time to find a special pair from me to her. My annual visit with her is in November of this year and I will be sure to have them in hand when she walks thru the door.

An angel in a lab coat and nutty socks....She makes me a better person just by knowing her.

Great book!!!!!!

Rose Weiss

Seeds - by Sasha - was absolutely perfect. Extremely enjoyable and an easy read, and intelligently and honestly written. If you are in the mood to laugh, almost cry (or cry for some of you that are more emotional), relate - in some instances, and in others, recognize how eventful a person's life has been compared to yours - get this book. You'll want more too, like I did, I promise. I sensed this to be just some of the many more thoughts and experiences Sasha had; therefore, I hope there is a movie so that my imagination can, to an extent, be expanded to see and feel more with the writer.

The story by itself is amazing. Not only did Dr. Vukelja open up and share her cherished memories of her mother, but she also donates all the proceeds from the book to charity. I give the book to my clients and friends because I am honored to have someone so special as a friend.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

This is a great book. A touching true story, it proves that with determination and hard work anyone can do anything.

Last night I finished "Seeds," the extraordinary memoir of Sasha Vukelja, M.D. "Dr. V," who fills the walls of the chemo room with her artwork and wears crazy socks gifted by her patients, thumbs her nose at "the way it's done" and pulls patients into her studio and exercise routine as friends, soulmates; partners in the battle against an insidious disease.

If Sasha's adept at breaking rules, she had a good teacher in her freedom-loving mother, who chafed the austere lifestyle under Tito-ruled Yugoslavia. Until Sasha emigrated to the United States in 1972, her mother's rolled-up paintings, a handful of English word, and tattered suitcases defined their life.

America brought opportunities...and chances for natives to poke fun at the naive mother-daughter duo who formed unlikely alliances with the prostitutes and users who inhabited their shabby hotel home. Despite hardships with the language and a lack of basic medical skills, Sasha procured a position as a nurse. A long-time fascination with healing and serving grew from those early experiences at a private Jewish hospital...and birthed in Sasha a dream to become a medical doctor. The U.S. Army and dedicated professionals directed Sasha along a stranger-than-fiction path.

When Sasha became licensed as an oncologist, married her soulmate, and had a child, God showed Sasha that her journey had just begun.

I picked up Sasha's book this weekend and could not let go of the poignant, edgy, and often humorous prose.

"The day the Army's movers arrived, I ran into my next-door neighbor, a Jewish psychologist, for the first time in five years. We just happened to be in the hallway as he was coming home and the movers were hauling out another load of boxes from my place.

"You must be my neighbor," he said and shook my hand.

"Not anymore, because I'm going to Texas." I barely disguised the disappointment in my voice.

"Oy vay, Texas!" He rubbed his curly beard between his thumb and his forefinger. He had beady little eyes and was waering a blue wool cardigan over a plain white shirt.

"Do you know anything about Texas?" I asked hesitantly, afraid of what I might hear.

"Let me tell you about Texas." With a hush, he leaned close, as if sharing a big secret. "Those people..." He looked from side to side and leaned closer. "Those people are so primitive that they actually put their family's initials on cows' buttocks..."

Perhaps he saw all the color draining from my face and realized that he was not helping the situation. "But the good thing about Texas," he added with a smile, "is that they refill your iced tea for free!" With that he shut the door.

I stood there in shock, thinking I don't even drink iced tea.

If carpe diem frazzles your nerves, DON''T read Seeds, A Memoir. If you do need inspiration, humor, and an entertaining read, let Sasha Vukelja draw you into her world. You won't regret the journey.

This was a very touching, funny and eye opening story. I REALLY hope it gets made into a movie. It made me cry and it also made me laugh hysterically. It gives the reader a good inside look at what immigrants endure in their native land (and here), just to be part of the American dream. It also made me truly appreciative of the immigrants who come to this country and have the courage to try to speak English even when it is severly broken English.

What a great country this is, and what a fortunate country we are to have Dr. Vukelja as fellow American citizen.

This is an amazing and inspirational autobiography. I bought extra copies to give to my daughters. We need more stories like this that prove that with determination and hard work you can make it in this country. Thank you, Sasha, for sharing your life with us. May God continue to bless you, your family, and your patients.