A Look At Another Part Of Life

A book about death and end-of-life issues may be the least likely book you would choose. And if I had known this was the topic I probably wouldn't have picked it up. But I had heard good things about the author, so I gave it a try.

I'm so glad did.

The book, Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande, is spectacular in so many ways. It is written by a doctor who is also a very good writer. He's honest and uses his experience as a surgeon to illustrate the shortcomings of the medical profession in one important area: the inability (of doctors) to talk to people about their impending death. Or their terminal condition. Or all the options and likely outcomes if a medical procedure is chosen. Or what might result if no option is chosen. (Sometimes doing nothing is an o.k. choice.)

If you're thinking this all sounds fairly depressing ... or somber ... or morbid ... just wait.

Gawande presents examples not only from his patients, but also from his family. He writes at length of his his mother-in-law; and his father, also a surgeon, who slowly declined in physical health and strength and how the family dealt with it.

The author also goes into detail about hospice care (a surprisingly easy and hugely effective avenue for his father), and how nursing homes and assisted living facilities became a way of life for aging Americans. This may sound dry but his research here is fascinating and in parts hilarious.

Gawande has written several other books; based on his absorbing and heat-felt way of writing, I am interested in reading more of his works. The subject of Being Mortal is so useful (after all, we're all going to die) and so important, I think this should be required reading for everyone. In my book, this book is a treasure.