FINAL CHOICES: A Daughter’s Memoir Comparing Her Parents’ Last Journeys Hardcover – 25 November 2022

This is a deeply moving, honest, and introspective account of the author's journey through the passing of her father and mother. The journal-style format allows the reader to intimately experience the emotions and thoughts of the author as she navigates through the different stages of grief. Throughout the book, Edson’s words are both heartbreaking and uplifting, a testament to the power of love and resilience in the face of loss. The author's account of her father's decision to end his life with medical assistance is an especially deeply personal and emotional read. Edson grapples with the difficult conversations and emotions that come with it. Through her writing, we gain insight into the ways in which the author found closure and acceptance. "Final Choices" is a powerful and emotional read that offers a unique perspective on the grieving process. It should be required reading in medical schools.

The author’s story was heartwarming. Her vulnerability in revealing the sadness and heartbreaking disappointments in every life is achingly true to life. We can all find similarities in her yearning to be loved unconditionally, appreciated frequently, and finding the core strength to take care of sometimes distant parents without judgement. I would recommend this book to anyone caretaking a terminal relative.

Together with a poignant narrative account of both her parents' dying, the author raises critical questions about doctor-patient relationships and how to best care for ourselves and dying loved ones. I recommend Final Choices by Dr. Sakre Kensington Edson as a model for journaling life challenges and as a reminder of the importance of collaborative and informed choices at the end-of-life