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Liong's Reviews > Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
by
by
Liong's review
bookshelves: memoir, biology, education, non-fiction, self-help, psychology, health
Jun 11, 2023
bookshelves: memoir, biology, education, non-fiction, self-help, psychology, health
I think this is a book we should read before we are getting old or sick.
We must be aware that we will die one day.
Being Mortal reminds us of the complications to decide on medical treatments for terminal illnesses such as cancer.
This raises questions about how we can improve care for older people and those with serious illnesses.
The author talks about for creating better healthcare systems that prioritize the needs and desires of patients.
Remember, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and have a say in their own healthcare decisions.
I felt empathy and forlorn when reading the stories about patients and their families in this book.
We must be aware that we will die one day.
Being Mortal reminds us of the complications to decide on medical treatments for terminal illnesses such as cancer.
This raises questions about how we can improve care for older people and those with serious illnesses.
The author talks about for creating better healthcare systems that prioritize the needs and desires of patients.
Remember, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and have a say in their own healthcare decisions.
I felt empathy and forlorn when reading the stories about patients and their families in this book.
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Being Mortal.
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Reading Progress
June 1, 2023
–
Started Reading
June 1, 2023
– Shelved
June 1, 2023
– Shelved as:
memoir
June 1, 2023
– Shelved as:
biology
June 1, 2023
– Shelved as:
education
June 1, 2023
– Shelved as:
non-fiction
June 1, 2023
– Shelved as:
self-help
June 1, 2023
– Shelved as:
psychology
June 1, 2023
– Shelved as:
health
June 1, 2023
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7.0%
June 4, 2023
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27.0%
June 6, 2023
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43.0%
June 9, 2023
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60.0%
June 10, 2023
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75.0%
June 11, 2023
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Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-23 of 23 (23 new)
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Well damn, this sounds quite macabre… But you say it talks a lot about how healthcare should be organized and stuff, but does that mean it focuses on the USA and how their system is messed up? Or does it focus on other countries too?
CoachJim wrote: "You have found, read and reviewed another interesting book.Thanks for the review."
Thank you, CoachJim. Hope to find more interesting books.
Imme wrote: "Well damn, this sounds quite macabre… But you say it talks a lot about how healthcare should be organized and stuff, but does that mean it focuses on the USA and how their system is messed up? Or d..."Yes, it focuses on the USA. They had trials and experiments in building homes that are suitable for older or weaken people to stay happy and safe. It suggested that patients have autonomy in the medical treatments or choose Hospice care. Thank you, Imme.
As someone dealing with chronic illness I totally agree with you. Unfortunately it’s something people don’t pay attention to until they have to.
Tiffany wrote: "As someone dealing with chronic illness I totally agree with you. Unfortunately it’s something people don’t pay attention to until they have to."You are right, Tiffany. People avoid discussing this matter.
"I don't mind dying. I just don't want to be there when it happens".---Woody Allen
Julio wrote: ""I don't mind dying. I just don't want to be there when it happens".---Woody Allen"Great quote from Woody Allen. Thanks, Julio.
You are welcome, Liong. When Caesar was asked what kind of death he preferred he replied, "The unexpected". He got his wish.
Julio wrote: "You are welcome, Liong. When Caesar was asked what kind of death he preferred he replied, "The unexpected". He got his wish."The unexpected 😥.
i was already familiar with Gawande's writing when my late mother in law became terminally ill with little time left. I bought copies for everyone in the immediate family. The goal was to get everyone on the same page, so to speak. It's good that the author called himself out on his past mistakes to be an example to the readers. What can make things difficult is if a relative wants to hold out on reality.
Michael wrote: "i was already familiar with Gawande's writing when my late mother in law became terminally ill with little time left. I bought copies for everyone in the immediate family. The goal was to get every..."Thank you for sharing your family stories to us, Michael.
You are right about people being treated with respect and dignity as well as having a say concerning medical treatment.
Joe wrote: "You are right about people being treated with respect and dignity as well as having a say concerning medical treatment."Agree with you, Joe.
Liong: A nice review of a very important and quite well written book. If memory serves me, it was only when Atul Gawande's own father (also a surgeon) became ill, that he connected with the inadequacies of how the old & infirm as well as those at death's door are treated. Bill
Quo wrote: "Liong: A nice review of a very important and quite well written book. If memory serves me, it was only when Atul Gawande's own father (also a surgeon) became ill, that he connected with the inadequ..."Thank you, Quo.
I agree, Liong. There's an important discussion that this author raises. We gave each of our children a copy and set a date for a family discussion several months later. The book's examples provided a fine foundation for the discussion, which otherwise might have been less successful.
HBalikov wrote: "I agree, Liong. There's an important discussion that this author raises. We gave each of our children a copy and set a date for a family discussion several months later. The book's examples provide..."Good idea, HBalikov. We may face it one day but we can prevent it by learning more about health span and quality longevity.
A superb review of a very important book Liong, thank you! This only just came up in my feed from 2023, so I'm glad to have found it.
I definitely gonna read this one, liong. Lovely Review!!🫂
Utkarsh wrote: "I definitely gonna read this one, liong. Lovely Review!!🫂"Thank you, Utkarsh.
I can relate to your emotions of feeling empathy and forlorn Liong. This isn't an easy subject to face. Wonderful review! 🙂
Karen wrote: "I can relate to your emotions of feeling empathy and forlorn Liong. This isn't an easy subject to face. Wonderful review! 🙂"I agree with you, Karen. Therefore, we need to learn to improve our healthspan.
Thanks for the review.