Last Acts: Discovering Possibility and Opportunity at the End of Life

As a Stage IV cancer patient, I am sometimes asking myself "What do I do with the time I have left?" This book does not answer that question for you. What it does is provide thoughtful consideration from one who has experience in palliative care and has witnessed many end of life decisions. I highly reccommend this book for caregivers, family and friends of someone with a serious illness. If you have a serious illness it may help to validate decisions you have already made or open up new possiblities if you have years, month, days or even hours left.

With an artist's eye and a poet's heart, this delightful author applies his keen observation skills to what might otherwise be a rather heavy question: "What should I do with the limited time I have left?" As a palliative care physician, Dr. Casarett has been privy to many, many stories as people make choices about how to write the last chapter of their lives. And what a set of choices they exhibit! From forgiveness, to spontaneous abandon, to an ironic form of revenge, Dr. Casarett methodicially and respectfully explores the range of responses he has witnessed as people unequivocally come to terms with the fact that their time on earth is finite. I was impressed with the thoroughness and heart of this book, and the humility of the author to ask soul-searching questions (of himself and his patients). He sincerely listened to and reflected upon the depth of the answers, for there is no one "best" way to spend one's time. It is a profoundly individual choice. I found this book simultaneously engaging, inspiring and thought-provoking. Food for the heart and for the brain. Highly recommended, especially if you or a loved one is facing a serious illness. (Although we could all use to do a priority check now and then and not wait until we get a terminal diagnosis!)