Seattle doctor presents powerful new book about lung cancer patients at Third Place Books tonight

Morhaf Al Achkar, MD, PhD

Morhaf Al Achkar, MD, PhD, professor at the University of Washington, family doctor, and a lung cancer patient himself, has authored a book entitled, "Roads to Meaning and Resilience with Cancer: Forty Stories of Coping, Finding Meaning, and Building Resilience While Living with Incurable Lung Cancer.”

He will be featured at a presentation and book signing event on Wednesday October 9, 2019 at 7pm at Third Place Books on the upper level of Town Center, intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE in Lake Forest Park.

The book tells the stories of 40 patients with incurable lung cancer, including mine. It aims to help patients, families, and healthcare providers understand the experience of living with cancer. It invites reflections on the essential questions of meaning, resilience, and coping with adversity in life. 

Patients with cancer have an urgency to find meaning in life. They struggle with the illness, its emotional impact, and the consequences of treatments. 

However, with time, reflection, and support, they develop resilience. 

The book is for cancer patients who are tarrying at the limits of time. It is also for those who live around patients with cancer: caregivers, families and friends, and health care providers. People who struggle with other illnesses will also find aspects of their story reflected here. 

This book is about the essence of the human experience at its limits. It is for every reader.

An editorial reviewer said, “Dr. Al Achkar gives us the gift of insight into the life experiences of people who have been diagnosed with incurable lung cancer.

"With this insight, we can better understand the struggles of those suffering from disease. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or not, this book will help you better understand yourself.”

An oncologist wrote, “The book is beautifully written and just incredibly insightful, yet personable. It will be a wonderful support and resource for all cancer patients. 

"It was uplifting and positive, yet hard to read, knowing how difficult it is for all cancer patients. Maybe that is an even better reason why the book needs to be published so that caregivers and providers better understand the experience.”

Amazon reviewers described as “eye opening,” “Written in a very attractive, yet scientific style,” “highly recommend for every cancer patient and health care provider,” “immediately touched the depth of my heart,” and, “...it led me to think more intentionally about who I am.”