⭐⭐⭐⭐ Being Mortal by Gawande
| Full Title | Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End |
|---|---|
| Authors | Atul Gawande |
| Year Published | 2014 |
| Date Read | March 19, 2019 |
| Rating | 4/5 stars |
It took me 2-3 hours to really get into the book, but in the end I enjoyed it primarily because it made me think about issues I never before examined. What I took away from Gawande’s discussion of the last months/weeks of our lives is that communication is key. The common thread that ran through all of the poor outcomes for people near death had to do with a failure by someone to have a difficult discussion — that could be the aged individual themselves, their relatives and loved ones, or perhaps the doctors/nurses in charge of care. Usually it was a combination. But when people were willing to confront reality and examine what future they desired when life neared the end, the outcomes were far better.
I am grateful that I stumbled upon this before I was thrust into a situation where I would need the information. As Gawande writes, if you don’t plan for eventualities at least a little in advance, your outcomes are likely to be much worse than if you had put even minimal
effort in up front. This book is something I hope I will remember to come back to and re-read when I feel the information might be needed soon.
Below, I reproduce 5 questions Gawande encourages those with serious illness answer for themselves. Ideally, you will share this with those providing care as well as those that may be making life/death decisions for you if you become unable to do so yourself.
1. What is your understanding of where you are and of your illness?
2. What are your fears or worries for the future?
3. What are your goals and priorities?
4. What outcomes are unacceptable to you? What are you willing to sacrifice and not?
5. (later) What would a good day look like?