What We’re Reading

So I started reading “Better” by this same author after Elise Blaha Cripe recommended “Complications” by him and I couldn’t read THAT because the library here doesn’t carry it.

Anyway. I never got past the first chapter of “Better”, but I did whip through a book called “Body of Work” by Christine Montross. It’s a memoir of Christine’s time in med school and so incredibly interesting and powerful. She held a degree in poetry before pursuing med school, so you know the book is flawlessly written. Such a great read!

My dad passed away this past February after a nine year battle with blood cancer. A whole team of physicians at the University of Pennsylvania treated him, and most were great. However, my mom had to read between the lines and do research on her own to really understand what was happening. Most doctors sugarcoated the facts.

Only one doctor recommended that my mom call her children (all three of us were living in California at the time) to come home and see my dad. I’m thrilled she did, as I got to spend a week with him before he died.

I can see that it’s a difficult conversation to have with patients, but it’s one worth having.

Sounds interesting. I might give it a try.

https://itsjpei.wordpress.com/

Like another commenter, I picked up this book when you suggested it before. I read it over “break.” What a wonderful book–everyone should read this! I love that you’re sharing your reading; I’m always looking for a good book. I read “How We die” (see @Melody) after my dad died. It was a real comfort to me. Finally, like @Jen Doll, I recently read “Wild.” I enjoyed it, too.

I work in medical education, and there is a wonderful trend in medical schools to focus more on communication skills, empathy, and compassion – both in selection of medical students for admission and in medical training. A particularly fun example of this is Alan Alda’s Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University: http://www.centerforcommunicatingscience.org/

On a more personal note, I think one of the big reasons I have repeatedly chosen to deliver babies with midwives in a hospital setting is because I so appreciate the phenomenal bedside manner and support, with the comfort of knowing that there’s a guy/gal who’s a whiz with a scalpel down the hall if we need him/her. You want both: the expertise and the compassion.

This sounds awesome. As a medical professional I think I could learn quite a lot from this book. Thanks for sharing :)

That looks like a very inspirational book! I’ll have to check it out. It reminds me, how is your brother-in-law? I remember your posts a while back saying that Lucy’s husband was diagnosed with cancer, but you haven’t mentioned him in a long time. I hope they’re doing all right. xo

Joanna, have you read Nuland’s “How We Die: Reflections of Life’s Final Chapter”? Sobering title, I realize, and I haven’t read it yet, but Brainpicking’s review of the book makes me think (1) it will be a worthwhile read and (2) it may align with your interests, esp as you’re reading “being mortal.” Here’s a snippet from the review:

“In 1994, Sherwin Nuland (1930–2014) – a remarkable surgeon and Yale clinical professor who in his nearly four decades of practice cared, truly cared, for more than 10,000 patients – received the National Book Award for his humanistic masterwork How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final Chapter (public library), a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize that year. It is one of the most existentially elevating books I’ve ever read – a inquiry as much into how we exit this life as into how we fill its living moments with meaning, integrity and, ultimately, happiness.”

So excited for this series! I love the new Meatless Mondays series too. Cup of Jo rocking it in 2015! Currently I am reading A Secret History by Donna Tartt. Her writing so engrossing. Can’t wait to hear what you two are reading next.

. thanks

We recently lost my father in law to cancer and his final days were wrenching, but also peaceful. His wife and children really understood how little to fight and how much to comfort, and he had an amazing hospice doctor who cared for him and the family with so much patience and grace. End of life care is such an important part of medicine, and I’m so glad it’s receiving some real attention.

this book is SO WONDERFUL. i mean, all of his books are, but this one I finished up on the plane back home for the holidays and I was bawling. pretty sure the people around me were getting a little freaked out…
I’m glad you’re reading this! definitely more people should

That sounds so interesting and moving! I love non fiction books and learning about other people’s experiences. Thanks for sharing!

Kim
http://trendkeeper.me … I’m talking Google analytics today!!

I loved this book and it moved me immensely. It’s been added to my list of life resources that I’m sure I’ll refer to at different stages in my life. I will never forget the lessons in it.

I’m very interested in this – thanks for sharing. Many years ago I watched a Bill Moyers/PBS special called ‘on our own terms’ and it dealt with end of life care. I was very moved by it. At that point many of my aunts and uncles had died of cancer so I was so familiar with those last days. I never understood why there wasn’t more attention especially by doctors themselves on this part of ‘life’. It surely can be dealt with in a more beautiful, caring way.

I’m reading this (at your suggestion) and loving it. As much as I agree with the concept that we have to be more willing to face these difficult questions as a society, at the same time I hate that it makes me so uncomfortable to think about myself growing old!