SCPL Online NonFiction Book Club discussion

Paul's lung cancer diagnosis is confirmed just 6 days after performing a 36-hour surgery, demonstrating that life can sharply change course in nearly the blink of an eye. Paul also states that “only 0.0012 percent of thirty-six-year-olds get lung cancer”. We know that Paul was a healthy non-smoker, making this unlikely diagnosis that much more shocking and, to use Paul’s own words, “really unlucky” (p. 133).

How do you think Paul’s years as a neurosurgeon, tending to patients, affected the outlook he had on his own cancer diagnosis? What are your thoughts about the question he asked himself: not “why me” but “why not me”?

This is an interesting question. One that is not easy to just answer off the top of your head. I think it was Paul’s experience that allowed him to say “why not me.” He’s been surrounded by people receiving this diagnosis for years so on some level this is his world. For those of us who have no experience with cancer or cancer treatment that journey is terrifying. Paul knew exactly what to expect. What he did have to navigate, as we all do, is “why me” and “why now” when it comes to the possibility of dying.

I agree, it was Paul's experience that made it possible for his question to be "why not me". I can only imagine how many times he gave terminal diagnoses to patients whose reactions would naturally have been "why me", "why now" that it would have out into perspective that it can be anyone at anytime. I also think that to be neurosurgeon you probably have to be a pretty quick and logical thinker so I am not surprised by this reaction.

Thank you for your comments ladies. I definitely would agree that Paul's experience in the medical field would have been part of what made him say "why not me" rather than "why me". I also think that his empathetic and compassionate nature played an important role in this thought process. That being said, despite years of experience giving bad news to patients, I don't know if anything could prepare you for facing your own terminal illness, especially at such a young age--I guess this is where the "why now" question comes in.