Facing Death, Embracing Life: Understanding What Dying People Want

A practical and compassionate guide to living with a terminal illness, written by a well-respected palliative care doctor.

In his highly regarded bestseller What Dying People Want, Dr. David Kuhl provided valuable insights into the experience of living with a terminal illness. In this guide, Dr. Kuhl distills the practical advice he presented in his first book and helps readers to cope with a terminal illness by providing concrete, step-by-step suggestions, as well as offering space for private reflection. This format will allow readers — those contending with terminal illness as well as their family and friends — to sort through difficult but vital conversations with loved ones and caregivers before they take place. This guide includes advice on:

• Talking to health care providers about treatment and diagnosis
• Learning the right questions to ask specialists
• Finding out about alternative treatments
• Considering home care vs. hospitalization
• Finding sources of financial support
• Offering space and guidance for recording and reflecting on larger, more emotional themes

Dr. David Kuhl began his career in palliative care seventeen years ago, providing medical care for people with cancer in his practice. He was invited to develop a palliative care program for St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. His team at St. Paul’s has attended thousands of people at the end of life. He is the author of What Dying People Want, published by Doubleday in 2002. He is a frequent speaker on palliative care all over North America. He lives in Vancouver, B.C., with his family.