When Breath Becomes Air
At what age did Paul Kalanithi pass away?
37 years old
What are some mental disorders that can be associated with terminal illness?
Depression and anxiety
What is cortisol?
A hormone that is triggered by stress and initiates the fight-or-flight response
What was Kalanithi originally going to study at Stanford?
What is the reason for Paul Kalanithi's death? (Be specific with his diagnosis)
Stage IV Lung Cancer
How can depression and anxiety be improved or stabilized?
Therapy, medications, or support groups
How does chemotherapy work?
Destroys cells using drugs that disrupt cell division and cause DNA damage
What is the name of Paul and Lucy Kalanithi's daughter?
Cady
What is the name of Paul Kalanithi's wife, who supported Kalanithi throughout his treatment?
Lucy Goddard (Kalanithi)
What are the psychological effects of cancer treatment?
It can give a sense of hope and purpose if it is helping but can also lead to frustration, anger, anxiety and sadness if it is not working
What is the main downside to chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy can target both healthy cells and tumor cells, making patients extremely weak.
It also targets immune system cells, leaving patients vulnerable to other illnesses.
Kalanithi's cancer diagnosis in even more detail was labeled as "metastatic non-small cell stage IV lung cancer".
What does metastatic mean?
Cancer cells that have spread from their starting point to another part of the body.
Where did Paul Kalanithi complete his neurosurgery residency?
Stanford School of Medicine
What is the effect of having a child on Kalinithi?
It gives him a renewed sense of purpose and a strong reason to fight and leave a legacy.
What is erlotinib?
A targeted drug that specifically treats metastatic lung cancer, along with a few other types.
What was unique and ironic about Kalanithi's situation?
Kalanithi had done tumor removal surgeries himself, but then ironically found a tumor in himself.
Shows the surgeon versus patient experience
What is the name of the targeted therapy drug Kalanithi initially used during his cancer treatment?
Erlotinib
How does confronting death impact Paul’s prioritization in daily life?
Confronting death makes Paul prioritize meaningful relationships, personal fulfillment, and time with family over career ambitions or trivial concerns.
How does radiation work, and when is it often used?
Radiation therapy uses high-powered X-rays to kill tumor cells.
Radiation therapy is more targeted, meaning it will kill fewer healthy cells and more residual tumor cells. It is often used after/during chemotherapy or other similar treatments to remove missed cancer cells.
Why did Kalanithi switch from English literature to human biology?
He realized that the brain serves the purpose of one's life, helping him better understand it.