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Canadian Jen's Reviews > Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
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***UPDATE*** DR Gawande has been appointed to Biden's COVID team. An outstanding physician...and this book is brilliant*** Happy for you Americans. I can't emphasize enough to read this one. I'd give it a triple star if I could.
Simply put: This is a book about dying. But, on one's own terms. Gawande boldy argues that the medical world has got it wrong when it comes to the treatment of the dying. The objective of medicine should not be to ensure health and survival; rather it should be about the quality of life and what it means to die with dignity, a sense of purpose, and most importantly, control over one's life. It's about being able to write the final chapter the way you want to and to enable well-being in the sense one wishes to be alive. It's considering hospice vs emergency room care. What an unpleasant topic, but WHOA, what a relevant one! Through a series of interviews with seniors and the terminally ill, he asks them what means the most to them; what are they willing to sacrifice and what they won't, in order to extend their life a little longer. He examines how the dying were treated historically to the cultural, traditional institutionalized view we have now. Written humanely by an emergency physician who in my opinion, has got it so right. I can only hope to have a physician as intuitive and caring as he, as I shape my ending chapter. 5* read.
Simply put: This is a book about dying. But, on one's own terms. Gawande boldy argues that the medical world has got it wrong when it comes to the treatment of the dying. The objective of medicine should not be to ensure health and survival; rather it should be about the quality of life and what it means to die with dignity, a sense of purpose, and most importantly, control over one's life. It's about being able to write the final chapter the way you want to and to enable well-being in the sense one wishes to be alive. It's considering hospice vs emergency room care. What an unpleasant topic, but WHOA, what a relevant one! Through a series of interviews with seniors and the terminally ill, he asks them what means the most to them; what are they willing to sacrifice and what they won't, in order to extend their life a little longer. He examines how the dying were treated historically to the cultural, traditional institutionalized view we have now. Written humanely by an emergency physician who in my opinion, has got it so right. I can only hope to have a physician as intuitive and caring as he, as I shape my ending chapter. 5* read.
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Reading Progress
December 23, 2014
– Shelved
December 23, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
March 5, 2015
–
Started Reading
March 9, 2015
–
Finished Reading
July 27, 2015
– Shelved as:
5-star-favourites
February 14, 2022
– Shelved as:
memoirs-biographies
Comments Showing 1-50 of 73 (73 new)
I couldn't agree more about writing our own final chapters. I think I need to read this. Thanks, Jen!
Just got it today. Wonderful review, Jen.
Wendy wrote: "Jen that is an excellent review. I really want to read this book!"
Thanks Wendy. I've been walking around the office telling people they must read this! Even if they aren't big readers.
☮Karen wrote: "I couldn't agree more about writing our own final chapters. I think I need to read this. Thanks, Jen!"Yes, please read it. I think everyone should read this book!
Diane S. wrote: "Just got it today. Wonderful review, Jen."Thanks Diane. I hope you get the same take aways if not more. I look fwd to your review.
Jen, I got this book for my daughter for Christmas. She is studying to be a Physician's assistant. I guess I'll have to read it, too. Nice review
Sounds like a tough read though.
Phyllis wrote: "Jen, I got this book for my daughter for Christmas. She is studying to be a Physician's assistant. I guess I'll have to read it, too. Nice review"Thanks Phyllis. That's terrific. I think you will be surprised how much you get out of it as a person not in the medical field.
Carol wrote: "Sounds like a tough read though."No doubt about it. But it was done with such integrity and respect and the reader is able to make connections with each patient Gawande speaks with. There's even a chapter on Hard Conversations. So, as much as it was tough, I think it's a necessary read. This book has the potential to revolutionize dying.
Jen wrote: "Carol wrote: "Sounds like a tough read though."No doubt about it. But it was done with such integrity and respect and the reader is able to make connections with each patient Gawande speaks with...."
Ok, added it...may give it a try.
Carol wrote: "Jen wrote: "Carol wrote: "Sounds like a tough read though."No doubt about it. But it was done with such integrity and respect and the reader is able to make connections with each patient Gawande ..."
It was relevant to me now as we just put my father into a nursing home a few months ago :( But, at the same time, I'm pleased I read it as I may not have known options exist.
Hope all goes well with your dad Jen. :-)
Carol wrote: "Hope all goes well with your dad Jen. :-)"Thanks Carol :)
Nice review, thank you for the recommendation. I am dealing with similar things right now.
Meredith wrote: "Nice review, thank you for the recommendation. I am dealing with similar things right now."I hope it brings you some comfort during your difficult time.
Great review. I will add it to my to-read list. This is a topic that I have some strong feelings about after working in a hospital for years. I think that once a patient's quality of life is gone, it is time to let him/her go. I see so many unnecessary things being done in the hospital. It would be interesting to read other people's perspectives on the subject.
Diane wrote: "Great review. I will add it to my to-read list. This is a topic that I have some strong feelings about after working in a hospital for years. I think that once a patient's quality of life is gon..."Thanks Diane. That's exactly what it's about - and making that shift as so many don't really know there is anything available. Love to hear what you think of it.
Diane wrote: "Great review. I will add it to my to-read list. This is a topic that I have some strong feelings about after working in a hospital for years. I think that once a patient's quality of life is gon..."This is true EVEN when the patient has clear DNR instructions and the person with Medical POA clearly states that no intervention should be done. Drove us crazy with my mother when she was in end-stage Alzheimer's. We put her in Hospice care and she didn't have to go to the hospital again the last eight months of her life. She could die in peace, surrounded by people who loved her.
Indeed an interesting topic which affects me directly. I have chronic pain and I often wonder how much pain a person can suffer and still want to survive.
Indeed an interesting topic which affects me directly. I have chronic pain and I often wonder how much pain a person can suffer and still want to survive.
I know I should read this. The topic is not my favorite (denial). Wonderful review.
A very insightful review of an undoubtedly grim subject. We are all in the same boat, eventually. I hope to face my mortality with some grace and dignity so I've just downloaded this book for some inspiration.
Carol wrote: "A very insightful review of an undoubtedly grim subject. We are all in the same boat, eventually. I hope to face my mortality with some grace and dignity so I've just downloaded this book for some ..."It's a startling but brilliant book.
Wonderful, heartfelt review of a terrific book Jen.
Thanks Sharon - this one is still a book that comes to mind and reflected on
Excellent and beautiful review, Jen, I need to find the right time to squeeze this one in!
This was a phenomenal one, Cheri! One I can’t recommend more ❤️
Sounds emotional Jen, fantastic review 👏🏻
It was Maureen. Thanks :)
Oh girl, are we on the right track!
Ya sure are!! Woot woot!
Elbow bump from me to you across the peace bridge !! 🇺🇸 👍🏻 💃🏻
Great news, Linda :)
Jen, thanks for your update about Dr Gawande. I read Being Mortal a few years ago, and still remember admiring his honesty and openness. I think he is an excellent choice for the US Covid Task Force
Thanks Jan. I think as my parents were beginning to age it had such a huge impact on me.
Fantastic review, Jen! I am not sure that I want to read this, but I am happy that DR Gawande will be a member of Biden's COVID task force.
I’m happy for you too, Meredith :)
Agree! He's an excellent and compassionate physician. This is must-read for everyone.
I’m still scared to read this but happy for the news update! Our “news” has devolved into more opinion than fact, so I rarely watch it. You’re my new news person!
Lol I only watch CNN so I’m biased lol
Jen wrote: "Lol I only watch CNN so I’m biased lol"I have to believe you have real news up there:)
Ya but that’s national stuff - very dull and boring next to what you have going on south of the border there
Great review, Jen! This book sounds both interesting and thought provoking.
It really is a good one. Thanks Debra!
Canada Jen...I’ll trade our crazy for your dull:)
Wonderful review Jen! Not a topic I want to read about currently but I will read this at some point.😊 I 🙏🏻 all goes well with your dad!
Karen wrote: "Wonderful review Jen! Not a topic I want to read about currently but I will read this at some point.😊 I 🙏🏻 all goes well with your dad!"
Thanks Karen - my dad passed away a few years ago. My mom is still kicking around though :)
I really want to read this book!