Being Mortal

I very much enjoyed this read. Being in my mid 70’s it was enlightening to understand the various ways my body is gradually and in some cases not so gradually bowing to the gravity of time. Multi tasking has become unrealistic for me and now I understand it’s part of the process. Same with physical changes. Driving, which I love to do, requires closer attention these days. Having lost several close friends in the last few months, the latter part of the book brought home the ending process. Good information as I think about that for myself and my wife. Excellent basis for a conversation with her about her end and mine.

Incredible and eye-opening. A must read! As a professional working alongside our aging population, this masterpiece raises new questions to be answered and promotes dignity down to the last day.

Dr. Gawande’s words in the epilogue sum up the wisdom of this book. “Medical science has given us remarkable power to push against the limits” set by our bodies, but too often fails to acknowledge that that pier is finite and always will be. This book made me think, reflect and I will continue to do so as my physical limitations increase. I consider this book a gift.

as a healthcare worker just entering the field, this changed my perspective so much. It prepared me and gave me a new angle to look at. such a beautiful book, I loved the scriptures and mentions of religion.

The medical industry is revealed! Your health and wellbeing is paramount. This book is part memoir and part documentary. A read you’ll find changes your life if you’re not in this industry.

this book made me cry but it also educated me and made me feel even the tiniest bit more prepared.

A healthcare professional my entire life; this is a wonderful and powerful book.

With a loved one experiencing a terminal illness this book hit me very hard at times, but I’m so thankful for the messages I heard as I read it.

This is a book I’ll never forget. It’s made me thinks about life and death in an entirely unexpected way.

I have had to face so many losses in my personal life already that I resonated with many of the stories. As a physician, I have also made many of the same mistakes in approaching patients with the realities of death and dying. I believe I have gained valuable perspective.

A lovely book about death. No, really. The author examines our modern attitudes and practices surrounding our aging and last days, and asks himself and us- how can we do better? Colored with poignant personal stories about the triumphs and failures of our modern ways, this book is a great introduction to thinking how we ourselves would like to spend our last days, and having those hard conversations with loved ones.

Atul Gawande asserts he is not a “facile writer.” I respectfully disagree. Perhaps the words don’t flow out as smoothly as he might wish. Perhaps they require revision once or twice or more when they do emerge. Perhaps they have to be set down and picked up and set down again before they are ready. But once they are ready, they are very good, very pertinent, very true. Death is among the most difficult of topics. Real death that is. Not dramatic death as it is portrayed in movies, either heroically or tragically. It may be heroic or it may be tragic, it may be calm or violent, accepted or fought, but it is inevitable. Dr. Gawande calls out his own profession as the would-be fixers of something that is not fixable and suggests a different approach. There are key lessons here: that those who acknowledge what is happening and choose hospice care have both better lives and longer lives as they pace out the time allotted to them. That the end time is one of coming to peace with one’s life journey. That the presence of loved ones is the most important thing at the end. I read this book some time before the passing of a close relative and it was a great help to me through that time. I could clearly see that this person, who had been so vibrant and strong through his whole life, clearly recognized that this would not be the life in front of him. He was the one who helped people. Helped them into and out of cars, up and down stairs, helped them dress, helped them eat. He was not the one being helped. That was not him. And so he let go. Being Mortal explains this. It explains that such a parting, while sad for those left behind, is the best kind of ending.

A whole new perspective on aging, illness and what is important in living ones life. This book is beautifully written and I am better for it. A must read for anyone growing older.

Phenomenal read. A little slow start with data and analysis, but great read overall! Highly recommend.

Cc

This book should be required reading, for everyone ! Thank you Doctor, for bringing a human perspective and beauty back into the difficult questions that surround the end of human life.

Grim but crucial reading. Goes deeply into matters that most Americans are frightened to even mention among family members. Prepares us for when life comes to its end.

An outstanding book that opened my eyes to life, death and the choices we make in between. Read it for yourself and all you love. Especially your aging parents as they meet the crossroads of aging, disease and choices to make along the way.

I have spoken to family about the resuscitate/do not resuscitate and similar end of life decisions. But, had never thought about or understood the importance of the questions that might lead up to making those decisions. Introducing me to those questions, with real life examples of there ultimate impact on the lives of those left to make the final end of life decisions, is why I gave this book a five stars.