Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

 Okay, so to say I am changing it up in the new year would be an understatement I suppose.

First, a confession. I had started this book when it was given to me as a gift by my supervisor/friend, years ago. But I had a really hard time with it. Primarily because of this truism about me: I try not to over-indulge in reality. And there is an abundance of real talk in this book. I mean, the entire beginning is a devotion to establishing that not only are we all subject to leave this earth one way or another (as in, we are all going to die), but clarifying all the ways that getting old is hard work and a harrowing prospect in the best of circumstances.

I faced the usual obstacles: I really admire my friend and so I want to want to read this. Not to mention, as a medical provider that works in the field of hospital based adult internal medicine, I felt a sense of obligation to read it as well. But if the admiration of others and a sense of obligation were enough, I would have been a much better student. Now that I have tricks and tools to read and digest material more effectively, (#livingnotstrugglingwithADHD) however, this book came off the shelf and into my “2023 is a new year, let’s do this pile”. The book is excellent, really. In practical terms, this is always a useful contemplation to bring to my medial practice: How do I speak to my patients? 

How do I speak to families? To move away from the merely “Informative” role towards the “Interpretive” by providing the information the patient and their family needs but also in a context of what is actually possible and maybe more importantly - what may not be possible - within the back drop of what is it they are really looking for, all things being true and present. Difficult conversations indeed. 

The book is well researched, of course, and filled not only with professional but very personal examples of what it means to be aging in today’s medical climate. I was particularly moved by his personal tales of navigating what will be the most difficult decisions of anyone’s journey above ground.

I highly recommend it to anyone: it is an important book for all of us, in my opinion, not just for those of us in the medical field. We all ought to have these conversations, particularly before anything medically difficult happens in our lives or with our loved ones. One way, or another, we will all face these events, and to live life fully and with as much dignity and the least regret as possible, is the best we can all hope for.