Book summary
This was Dr. Kalanithi’s medical specialty.
What is neurosurgery?
This common belief says a person’s soul continues living after death.
What is the afterlife?
In many Western cultures, this color is traditionally worn at funerals to symbolize mourning and respect for the deceased.
What is black?
This is the process of using symptoms, exam findings, and tests to figure out what disease is causing a problem.
What is diagnosis?
Dr. Kalanithi was diagnosed with this disease.
What is lung cancer?
This TV show about the afterlife follows Eleanor and her friends trying to become better people.
What is The Good Place?
Celebrated on November 1–2, this Mexican holiday honors deceased loved ones with altars, marigolds, and sugar skulls
What is Día de los Muertos?
This approach to care focuses on understanding a patient’s story, values, and meaning-making alongside diagnosis and treatment.
What is narrative medicine?
Dr. Kalanithi completed his medical residency at this university.
What is Stanford University School of Medicine?
This Latin phrase reminds people to remember their mortality and live wisely.
What is memento mori?
Large above-ground tombs commonly found in cities like New Orleans are known by this name, often used because of the area’s high water table.
What is a mausoleum?
This is when a doctor explains the risks, benefits, and alternatives so a patient can choose what they want to do.
What is informed consent?
Before becoming a doctor, Dr. Kalanithi studied this field in college.
What is English literature?
This famous existential philosopher wrote about finding meaning despite the inevitability of death.
Who is Albert Camus?
In many cultures, small stones are placed on gravestones when visiting the dead as a sign that someone has come to remember them; this tradition is especially associated with this religion.
What is Judaism?
This is care focused on comfort and quality of life for serious illness, and it can be given along with treatment.
What is palliative care?
The year when When Breath Becomes Air was published.
What is 2016?
This famous philosophical question about life and death appears in Shakespeare’s Hamlet and begins with the words: “To be or not to be…”
What is the meaning of existence (or the meaning of life (hamlet's soliloquy))?
In Ghana, some funerals feature elaborate, custom-made coffins shaped like animals, airplanes, or everyday objects known by this name.
What are fantasy coffins?
This core ethical principle requires clinicians to support a patient’s right to make informed choices, even when the clinician disagrees.
What is respect for autonomy?