Totally Booked with Zibby
Episode: Samina Ali, PIECES YOU'LL NEVER GET BACK: A Memoir of Unlikely Survival
Release Date: March 17, 2025

Introduction to Samina Ali and Her Work

In this episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes Samina Ali, the author of PIECES YOU'LL NEVER GET BACK: A Memoir of Unlikely Survival. Samina is also known for her acclaimed novel, Madras on Rainy Days, which has earned prestigious awards such as the French Pre Premier Roman Etranger Award and was a finalist for the PEN Hemingway Award in Fiction. Additionally, Samina is recognized as a recipient of the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers Award and has gained widespread attention through her TEDx talk on the Quran and the Hijab, which has amassed over 8 million views.

Samina Ali’s Harrowing Experience During Childbirth

Timestamp: [03:15]

Samina Ali recounts a life-altering experience she endured during the birth of her son, Ishmael, at the age of 29. Despite being considered low-risk due to her health and the top-tier care at UCSF Stanford Hospital, Samina experienced severe complications that were initially dismissed by medical professionals.

Key Points:

• Early Warning Signs Ignored: Samina persistently voiced concerns about her unusual headaches and chest pain during pregnancy, which were repeatedly downplayed by her doctors.
• Critical Delivery Complications: During labor, her symptoms escalated, leading to a grand mal seizure immediately after delivering her son. An MRI revealed a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage, multiple organ failures, and a heart attack, which were initially unnoticed.

Notable Quotes:

• "I kept saying, I think there's something wrong because I'm feeling more pain in my head and in my chest than I am down there." [03:15]
• "She pretty much thought I would be a vegetable." [06:11]

Impact on Family and Immediate Aftermath

Timestamp: [06:11] – [07:15]

The sudden turn of events left Samina in a critical condition, causing immense distress for her family. Her husband, Scott, was faced with the terrifying possibility of losing both his wife and son simultaneously, a realization that was only fully understood years later.

Key Points:

• Hospital Mismanagement: Samina remained unconscious and unaware of the severity of her condition, while her newborn son, Ishmael, was placed in the neuro ICU and endured a traumatic week in shock, frequently shifting between the ICU and recovery rooms.
• Emotional Toll on the Family: The family grappled with the fear of losing Samina and Ishmael, compounded by the lack of transparency and communication from the medical staff.

Healing and Recovery Journey

Timestamp: [07:36] – [19:26]

Samina delves into her long and arduous journey of healing and recovery, both physically and mentally, after the traumatic childbirth experience.

Key Points:

• Understanding Postpartum Complications: Samina emphasizes the importance of recognizing and advocating for oneself in the medical space, highlighting the dangers of preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome.
• Buddhist Concept of Bardo: She introduces the concept of Bardo, viewing life’s challenges as a series of smaller "deaths" that lead to new beginnings, aiding her in navigating her trauma and loss.
• Writing as Therapy: Despite severe brain damage and moments of aphasia, Samina found solace and healing through writing her memoir, a process that required immense perseverance given her physical limitations.
• Neurological Recovery: After three and a half years, Samina achieved remarkable neurological recovery, leading her neurologist to commend her resilience and suggest she document her story.

Notable Quotes:

• "Recovery is repetitive. Recovery is excruciating. It really is a time in your life when you have to make the decision to recover over and over and over again." [16:46]
• "We're resilient and we're strong and we can make it through and, you know, to trust." [23:20]
• "The connections that we all have as humans... are the way that we are all bound to one another." [25:11]

Themes of Hope, Resilience, and Advocacy

Timestamp: [19:26] – [27:04]

Samina shares the core messages of her memoir, focusing on hope, resilience, and the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare.

Key Points:

• Hope and Resilience: Her story is not portrayed as purely tragic but as a miraculous tale of endurance and the human spirit’s capacity to overcome darkness.
• Advocacy in Medical Settings: Samina urges women to advocate for themselves, especially when experiencing symptoms that are often dismissed, to prevent medical oversights.
• Interconnectedness and Faith: She discusses the interconnectedness of all humans on a cellular level and the role of faith in bridging divides between different religions and cultures.

Notable Quotes:

• "This isn't a tragic story. I think it's a miraculous story that gives us hope." [23:03]
• "We need to... learn to advocate for ourselves." [09:34]
• "Faith is one of the important themes of the book. And I talk about Islam, but I also talk about how Islam is connected to other religions." [25:11]

Personal Reflections and Family Impact

Timestamp: [22:50] – [23:20]

Zibby Owens inquires about the impact of Samina's experience on her family, particularly her children.

Key Points:

• Children’s Reactions: Samina’s son, now 25, and daughter, 15, have yet to read her memoir. She anticipates varied responses based on their ages and understanding.
• Ongoing Emotional Challenges: The loss of early memories and the irreversible changes have left a lasting emotional impact, contributing to persistent sadness and grief.

Notable Quotes:

• "I get very sad about it." [10:28]
• "We all lose things in life... my story just happens to be a little bit more exaggerated and a little bit more permanent." [12:34]

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [27:04] – [27:25]

Zibby Owens commends Samina for her inspirational journey and the profound impact of her book. Samina expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share her story, aiming to provide hope and resilience to others facing dark times.

Notable Quotes:

• "You're so welcome." [27:23]
• "This story gives us hope." [23:03]

Key Takeaways

1. Advocacy in Healthcare: Samina emphasizes the critical need for patients, especially women, to advocate for their health and persistently communicate their concerns to medical professionals.

2. Resilience and Hope: Her memoir serves as a testament to human resilience, illustrating that even in the face of life-threatening adversity, hope and determination can lead to recovery and personal growth.

3. Interconnectedness and Faith: The narrative underscores the interconnectedness of humanity and the unifying power of faith across different religions, promoting unity and understanding.

4. Healing Through Storytelling: Writing her memoir was a pivotal part of Samina’s healing process, highlighting the therapeutic power of storytelling in overcoming trauma.

Samina Ali’s PIECES YOU'LL NEVER GET BACK: A Memoir of Unlikely Survival offers an intimate and powerful exploration of survival, loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Through her honest and heartfelt storytelling, Samina provides valuable insights and inspiration for anyone navigating their own dark times.

This summary captures the essence of the conversation between Zibby Owens and Samina Ali, highlighting the key moments and messages conveyed throughout the episode. For a deeper understanding and personal reflections, listening to the full episode is recommended.