Lisa G. (plum-marie) - reviewed on 4/14/2017 + 117 more book reviews

I read this at a time when family and friends are dealing with these life changing moments. One facing death from cancer, another the effects of a brain tumor, another died the day after we were with him at hospice. So in a way it was good timing for me to read of a doctor turned patient the day of a funeral. I sensed that those who got him as a doctor were fortunate, unlike the ones who probably got the equivalent of the medical resident who wouldn't give him the medication he was supposed to take.

I've spent my fair share of time in doctors offices, with tests, and medical lingo. It is an often overwhelming world. I think what I liked most was Paul's desire to find what mattered most to a person, what they identified with and try to get them close to that again after surgery or medical procedures. His acceptance of his death almost seemed peaceful. I "ugly cried" during the epilogue which I felt more connection and emotion in than the book which was more clinical, philosophical, and detached at times. Granted Paul wrote the book and his wife the epilogue so two authors essentially.

Paul's question of what makes life worth living (and in a sense death preferable) is one we should all ponder and decide for ourselves.

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