Being Mortal Illness, Medicine, and What Matters in the End

Unfortunately, we consider people at the terminal stage of life only when we have close friends or relatives who are in that situation or when we find ourselves at death's door. Thus, until then, we rarely think about our mortality seriously enough to feel capable of handling it when we or our loved ones are nearing the end of life.In this lucid book, Atul Gawande takes us to a close and personal view of several people close to him, including his wife's grandmother, Alice Hobson, and his own father, who is also a surgeon like Atul himself. We are introduced to them when they were already at an age many of us consider 'old', but they were still young in spirit and in flesh - vibrant and independent. Gradually, Atul describes the effect of advancing years on them, how for example, Alice began to fall frequently, how his father began to feel numbness in his fingers, and then we see them no longer physically strong, but frail and weak, and realise how age and illness are such devastating twin catastrophe we will face in a matter of time.Atul shows us why it is that old people resist going to nursing homes. He shows us the dilemma that family members experience when they try to let the obviously old and weak family members live the independent lives they want, and yet have the safety and attention they obviously need. Decisions as to where to house them are difficult enough, but as the author shows, there are even more difficult decisions to be made when a terminal illness is diagnosed. Do they go for treatment, and if so, which type of treatment- and bear with their debilitating after-effects - or do they forgo treatment altogether?In the course of taking us through the end of life of these people, Atul also takes us through a grand tour of the hospital, the nursing home, the hospice, and other alternative facilities for the terminally ill. More importantly, he makes us examine what it is that we understand to be the meaning of life because when we are nearing the end of it, we all have our personal reasons to fight for the extra year or two, or to gracefully accept the end.

This book is wonderfully written, pleasantly entertaining, but most importantly gives an Eagle eye view into the aging process, thoughtful insight into options for living arrangements as we age, Palliative care as a viable option for mindfully living and hospice…the compassionate care provided when a terminal illness is diagnosed and making the most of every moment is more valued than aggressive treatment—respecting each persons right to choose! Gawande shares intelligent, compassionate, and thoughtful wisdom on the bodies natural aging process and making rational decisions for making the most of every moment of life!

Wonderful book. Bought copies for all my children!

Anyone who has ever had to care for and manage the end of life treatment of a loved one or relative will appreciate this book and wish they had read it before experiencing the numerous medical, emotional and financial crises and issues that always arise. Doctors and health care professionals could also benefit greatly from the perspective in this book; that sometimes quality of life as defined by the patient is the most important factor, not prolonging life at any cost. Dr. Gawande reviews the history of care for the sick and aging from time when most people lived in multi-generational households to the present day when assisted living, nursing homes and hospice prevail. He tells the stories of several patients and their families dealing with terminal illness, including his own father, also a physician. Through these stories he examines questions such as: How much treatment is too much? What and how much information should doctors give patients about their conditions? Should patients just be given information about various treatment options and be allowed to decide on their own or should doctors take a more proactive role in guiding the patient? Can we evolve away from a medical model where extending life is paramount toward a more holistic approach driven by how the dying want to spend their remaining time? Many people understandably do not want to think about these questions until it is too difficult to actually make the best decision. I read this after I read "Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?" by Roz Chast which is an up close and personal graphic memoir of an adult child facing the end of life issues of her elderly parents. The two books make good companion pieces on this topic.

I ordered this for my husband who is a hospice chaplain. He loved the book.

Atul Gawande is one of the best placed commentators on American Healthcare: he is a foreign-born individual (who thus experienced the advantages and disadvantages of the healthcare systems in other parts of the world); he is a Harvard-trained surgeon, so has a unique perspective from inside as a "God" of the healthcare system, but also has a non-God-like view: he cares. Unlike many US-born and trained physicians, he has learned about and become very skilled in the billing, processing, economics side of healthcare - something few doctors care about or about which they even remotely give a good-damn.Atul Gawande is a staff writer for The Atlantic Monthly, the New Yorker magazine, the New York Times, and has written at least 12 books and 7 texts now.READ him -- he is not writing for the academics. He is writing for YOU!(So says a PhD in Health Policy, PhD in Health Economics, PhD in Forensic Accounting, PhD in Meteorology,(and 1 that I always forget), an MBA in Health Insurance Mgmt, MA in Addiction and Family Therapy, MA in Accounting, MS in I/O Psychology, BAs in Psych/Child Psych, Education/Business Learning, Criminology/Sociology)

Fantastic book. One of the best I've read on ageing, dependency and death and how our society deals with it

A thoughtful and compelling read. It essentially outlines the end for the very elderly, coping with the loss of independence and serious terminal illness, and to a lesser extent fatal illness for those who are not old. Information regarding the creation of independent living residences for seniors in U.S. was quite interesting. There were so many worthwhile nuggets of information; for example, how checking out old people's feet provides a quick window in to their ability to care for themselves. The book talks about important life / death issues and is a must read.

Being Mortal is a no holds barred realistic yet compassionate consideration of what it is like to get old in North America. Dr. Atul Gawande deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, or some equivalent recognition, for his insightful observation of even his own profession being in need of improvement regarding the needs of the older population. His appeal seems to be for the medical profession to waken up to the fact that we are all mortal and are going to die. Some medical conditions indeed cannot be "fixed" no matter how hard doctors may try to do so. Perhaps what is needed is for those in the honourable calling of medicine to give greater regard to deeply compassionate care of people especially when there is nor cure. Even when there is no cure there is always care! Dr. Gawande is to be highly commended for the courage, integrity and courage he exhibits in this wonderful book!

Un'ottima lettura, su un argomento su cui tutti dovremmo fermarci a pensare (è possibile che non lo facciamo abbastanza). Scritto in maniera piacevole, con un inglese non troppo complesso. Notavo, in ogni caso, che è disponibile anche la traduzione italiana.

As all of Dr. Gawandes' books and articles this is an amazing and captivating read, although this book is in my opinion his masterpiece (at least so far).A book that everybody should read, especially medical professionals.