Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande

I have read 60 books in 36 weeks for 2016. I have gone over my goal of a book a week. This latest "Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande is being considered by The Big Read Dayton as a book for 2017. It's a very good book. As I read it, it became easier to read. I hope that others who start reading it give it the chance that it needs. The book is about end of life care by doctors, and the ability to ask the questions of patients. I am going to quote from the Epilogue on questions that need to be asked of patients as they face the tough decisions of their care at the end. "What is your understanding of the situation and its potential outcome? What are your fears and your hopes? What are the trade-offs you are willing to make and not willing to make? And what is the course of action that best serves this understanding?" The author walks us through various people's last days and what their desires are. I only hope that when my time comes, that I can communicate to my family my end of life wishes beyond my 'do not resuscitate' DNR that I already have in place in my living will, that I don't want unnecessary efforts if I am dying. The author makes a good case for Hospice, for a variety of reasons, one being that most people want to die at home. It is a good book to start a conversation between relatives before the end is upon us.