The other day, my mom handed me a copy of When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, a book she read in 2018. She had given it to her nephew, who was starting residency, but it hasn’t been returned in over five years. When my mom first described the plot of the story, I found it uninteresting. However, after finishing the book, I experienced a wave of emotions. It taught me about patience, perseverance, and personal growth. Paul, an Indian American neurosurgeon, who shares his journey from helping patients in a hospital to becoming a patient himself, fighting for his life.

Paul’s memoir starts with his teenage years in a strict Indian Christian household living in Kingman, Arizona. He transitions from studying literature and biology on the pre-med track at Stanford University to becoming a medical student at Yale, where he meets his now-wife, Lucy. Later on, he becomes a resident doctor in Stanford’s neurosurgery program, discovering his passion for medicine and neurosurgery after multiple questions about the brain and its philosophy. As Paul puts forward his dedication, passion and interest in his job as a chief resident, he receives a lung cancer diagnosis. This shift transforms him from a dedicated chief resident into a patient reliant on hospital care, chemotherapy and medications. In his memoir, Paul reflects on how his passion for medicine helped him understand  the process of birth, life, and death, ultimately leading him to an understanding of his fate and the importance of dedication in whatever you do in life. As an aspiring medical professional, Kalanithi’s story has inspired me to embrace everything with unwavering passion and a commitment to learning, service and self-growth. Paul Kalanithi passed away in 2015 due to complications from cancer. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about the journey of Dr. Kalanithi and his battle with cancer. This book reminds us about the uncertainty of life. My heart is filled with gratitude to all medical professionals who dedicate their life to the service of those struggling with serious medical conditions.

This book made me laugh at times but also filled me with overwhelming waves of sadness. Reading this memoir has made me empathetic and grateful to people around me.If you are into books that reflect on the importance of family, self growth, healthcare systems, dealing with uncertainty and death, this book is just for you. Happy Reading!