Scan barcode
jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
I'm very glad I read this book, and I would encourage everyone I know to read it, too. I don't really understand the reviewers who found this book depressing, because I found it to be beautiful and hopeful. We can do better, and Dr. Gawande presents a clear path forward. We shouldn't view these conversations as scary or depressing, and we shouldn't wait until times of high stress to have them. If we were more comfortable talking about death and what we want for the end of our lives we'd be much better off.
kitkat962's review
5.0
Powerful, yet humble voice discussing human mortality. I'm absorbed in the stories of the elderly in nursing homes, cancer patients and Dr. Gawande's accounts of life in the face of imminent death. The book also discussed the evolving doctor-patient relationships, the importance of choice-making in the final moment. I also enjoyed the different perspectives and generational gaps brought forth by Dr.Gawande's upbringing in India and US.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Death is certain, but the timing isn't. So everyone struggles with this uncertainty, with how, and when to accept that the battle is lost."
"Ninety-nine percent understand they're dying, but one hundred percent hope they're not"
Facing death has never been easy, but the medical advances have given us both hopes and ensnare us in an illusion that our time could be stretched further.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Death is certain, but the timing isn't. So everyone struggles with this uncertainty, with how, and when to accept that the battle is lost."
"Ninety-nine percent understand they're dying, but one hundred percent hope they're not"
Facing death has never been easy, but the medical advances have given us both hopes and ensnare us in an illusion that our time could be stretched further.
a_morrill's review
5.0
Must read for anyone who works with the sick or elderly, has aging parents, or anticipated dying themselves someday. To all my nurse friends, I especially recommend.
yasmeexn's review
5.0
Wow, this was such a good book with so many poignant narratives. Gawande tackles on the concept of aging, dying, and autonomy within the medical world. Seeing how the elderly loose their sense of self and control, especially in assisted living facilities, truly upset me. Who are we to take away someone’s choice of living and freedom?? Gawande also explains how people go through treatments they may not have wanted, but do it for the sake of their families or because physicians don’t properly TALK TO THEM!! The different relationships physicians have with their terminally ill patients or elderly is something to look out for when reading. Every story I read reminded me of my own experiences with the elderly and my loved ones dying, and allowed me think about my own aging process. There needs to be a health reform regarding nursing homes, we need better staff and policies that are kind to the patients and truly attend to their needs, even if it’s “harder”. Physicians also need to be better trained to tackle on these hard conversations, and to not have a “paternalistic relationship” with their patients.
Anyways, I think everyone needs to read this book, even if you are not going into medicine. It truly is so eye opening and inspiring.
Anyways, I think everyone needs to read this book, even if you are not going into medicine. It truly is so eye opening and inspiring.
josh_goetz's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.5
This book, like the conversations and decisions it explores, is uncomfortable, unflinching, and essential. We tip-toe around the topic of death, ignoring it for as long as we can until inevitably it arrives at our feet, sometimes suddenly, sometimes in an excruciating crawl. In Being Mortal, Dr. Atul Gawande makes the case that our perspectives on death and dying are limited, and only by changing our framing can we best serve ourselves and our loved ones in our dying days.
We often view healthcare and medicine as essential for preserving and extending life. But at what point do the costs and sacrifices of preserving one’s life infringe on one’s ability to live a dignified and fulfilling life?
What are the responsibilities of doctors and healthcare providers in aiding their patients with life altering medical decisions?
How can we best support the people in our lives who are quickly approaching the final years of their lives?
This book has given me an entirely new view on life (and of course, death) and will be staying with me for a long time.
9/10
We often view healthcare and medicine as essential for preserving and extending life. But at what point do the costs and sacrifices of preserving one’s life infringe on one’s ability to live a dignified and fulfilling life?
What are the responsibilities of doctors and healthcare providers in aiding their patients with life altering medical decisions?
How can we best support the people in our lives who are quickly approaching the final years of their lives?
This book has given me an entirely new view on life (and of course, death) and will be staying with me for a long time.
9/10
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
beachybookstack's review
5.0
A great read for anyone but it felt really relevant for my profession and working with the geriatric population---and yes Dr. Gawande, I'll be aiming for my geriatric nurse certification as soon as I qualify.
Most of my patients are over the age of 75, and I'm constantly asked if they'll bounce back like last time... How long til they can go home?... Will they get better?... What can fix these chronic issues? The reality of aging seems foreign to so many that believe their relative is "fine" or "doing great" living independently yet covered in bruises, can't cook anything, and hasn't followed any of their medications. It's tough to discuss without being a total bummer but it's important to be realistic and connect them to resources that can support a better quality of life. Hospice isn't a dirty word, neither is palliative care.
Some people can have a surgical solution and live with an ostomy while someone else finds that unacceptable. Being able to make a choice with a real discussion about pros & cons, what living with a device would be like is necessary. The impulse to just do another fix and more chemo and more meds, etc etc can become endless... This is how we get patients in their 90s who are still "full code."
I've seen family act like the next thing will really work as their loved one slowly disintegrates into delirium, did they want this? Who is this for? What was their limit? Most often, it was never discussed. This book points to the different times in life where a doctor can bring up important questions about limits, goals, and what matters to the person. But anyone can ask these same questions and use them to create even a simple outline of wishes for themselves. I hope more people consider these things as they grow older. The elderly deserve to have more than a clean, safe room... If we're lucky, we'll get old after all.
Most of my patients are over the age of 75, and I'm constantly asked if they'll bounce back like last time... How long til they can go home?... Will they get better?... What can fix these chronic issues? The reality of aging seems foreign to so many that believe their relative is "fine" or "doing great" living independently yet covered in bruises, can't cook anything, and hasn't followed any of their medications. It's tough to discuss without being a total bummer but it's important to be realistic and connect them to resources that can support a better quality of life. Hospice isn't a dirty word, neither is palliative care.
Some people can have a surgical solution and live with an ostomy while someone else finds that unacceptable. Being able to make a choice with a real discussion about pros & cons, what living with a device would be like is necessary. The impulse to just do another fix and more chemo and more meds, etc etc can become endless... This is how we get patients in their 90s who are still "full code."
I've seen family act like the next thing will really work as their loved one slowly disintegrates into delirium, did they want this? Who is this for? What was their limit? Most often, it was never discussed. This book points to the different times in life where a doctor can bring up important questions about limits, goals, and what matters to the person. But anyone can ask these same questions and use them to create even a simple outline of wishes for themselves. I hope more people consider these things as they grow older. The elderly deserve to have more than a clean, safe room... If we're lucky, we'll get old after all.