Dying Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me: Stories of Healing and Wisdom Along Life's Journey

In his long career as a physician and teacher, the author has embraced the art of healing as well as the science of medicine. He presents consistently interesting and well-written pieces about patients and colleagues who have brought him increased personal insight and awareness. The title story is about Alexander Kipton, a high-powered executive who, in Hablitzel's estimation, "liked to be in control" and learned about living in the present the moment after cardiac arrest nearly killed him. In "Life Is What You Think It Is," Erin, a skillful, empathetic nurse diagnosed with an aggressive, disfiguring cancer, provides an epiphany for the author by her acceptance of the condition that will kill her, by her devotion to her daughters and to helping others and by her lesson that "you do not live until you take a risk at living." Hablitzel himself shows the wisdom, humor and resoluteness of a Marcus Welby in this engrossing and moving collection. (July)