When Breath Becomes Air

When Breath Becomes Air is a work of art and should be required reading for all students entering the medical field. There is just no singular way of describing the experience you will feel when you read this book. There are books that can't be put down. Then, there are those that change you. This one is both. I was transformed.

Dr. Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon, set out to write his memoir. Instead, he gifted his readers the most remarkable story about love, medicine, family, and mortality. He was a man deeply in love with his wife, Lucy, and baby daughter, Cady, and family. But, he also loved the mind, literature, neurosurgery, and the patient/doctor relationship. At times, throughout the story, it felt as if he was trapped between his loves and ambitions, trying to make meaning of what was important to him through his favorite works of literature and science. His life ended at the age of 36 from lung cancer, leaving behind an enviable legacy.

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His depictions of medicine certainly changed the way I view my physicians. I consider my doctors all-knowing miracle workers, completely overlooking the fact that they are just like me—people working to figure things out.

While living in California, I was lucky to attend a book signing with Dr. Lucy Kalanithi, Paul's wife. Upon listening to the moderated open conversation and the question and answer session, I felt utterly inadequate in offering her any words of encouragement or well wishes when I was next in line at the book signing. She was unbelievably strong while sharing their love story and anecdotes on marriage, parenthood, and mortality.

Remarkably, she had overcome the immediate sense of profound loss to offer some lightness on such a heavy topic. I've never met someone so completely open, generous, courageous, and grateful. She expressed her gratitude many times for the outpouring of praise and acceptance of their story. It was so humbling. We are the ones who should be offering our thanks to them for sharing their experiences.

It was a night and a book that I will never forget. Aren't those the greatest?