Live Love and Let Go by James K. Abshire MD

by James Abshire

Are you ready to let go?“Internist James Abshire has encapsulated 30 years of medical experience and his own encounter with cancer into a remarkable exposition on life’s final journey.”—Dennis Sullivan, MD, Dir., Center for Bioethics, Cedarville University“James provides the necessary optics that empower us to live, love and let go.”—Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President, NHCLC“For anyone confronted with a terminal diagnosis,or anyone who cares about them.”—Rob Moll, Christianity Today Editor-at-Large, author, The Art of Dying“Combines medical expertise with evangelical faithas he offers practical assistance to people facing terminal illness.”—William K Weigand, Bishop Emeritus“In short, it prepares us. The good doctor has written usa most useful prescription!”—Rev. George Matranga, B.C.C. Hospice Chaplain“Exudes faith, hope and love, refocuses priorities,and brings an eternal perspective.”—Dr. Jeff Stephenson, Medical Director, St Luke's Hospice, Plymouth, UK“A winning game plan for the late innings of life. It hits a home run.”—Greg Vaughn, four-time Major League Baseball All Star“Dr. Abshire’s book is on the top-most top shelf.”—Robert D. Orr, MD, CM, co-chair of the Healthcare Ethics Council,The Center for Bioethics & Human DignityA message of hope for the dyingAs a physician, Dr. Abshire has seen many Christian patients struggle with their mortality. In response he has spent the last five years writing Live, Love, & Let Go. Ironically, the subject of this book came to test his own faith in a very personal way when he was diagnosed with a non-curable but slow-growing cancer.This book is meant to open up a conversation on the sensitive and difficult subject of dying. It will give patients, caregivers, and family members insight, information, and wisdom to prepare patients for end-of-life issues. It draws on both medical experience and practical knowledge and is based on a positive mindset and biblical belief system.In this book, Dr. Abshire prepares patients and family members to embrace their mortality as he explains in detail the physical and spiritual aspects of illness and death. He discusses everything from dealing with pain to making appropriate end-of-life decisions. He shares insights about embracing hope, conquering fears, and resting in our faith.Dr. Abshire believes the prescription for Christians to overcome the fear of death and dying are to focus on God, maintain a positive attitude, and consider a perspective that looks at life and death from an eternal viewpoint. Above all, he encourages a proactive attitude toward the issue of terminal illness. Considering death in such a way will lead Christians to a happier and fuller life and better prepare them and their loved ones for the metamorphosis that is coming.Dr. James Abshire worked his way through school flipping hamburgers, tossing pizzas, and selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door. He received his B.S. in Chemistry and B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and was a senior chemical engineer in the petrochemical industry prior to receiving his M.D. from Southwestern Medical School. He completed his residency at U. C. Davis and works as a Board Certified Internist in Sacramento, California. He lives with his wife and four children in the Sacramento area.Dr.

Paperback

First published April 17, 2014

Reviews

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something happened on the way to the forum regarding Live, Love, & Let Go by Dr. Abshire.

My husband, Steve, is a patient of Dr. Abshire. One day in mid-November, Steve had an appointment, and at the end of the appointment, Dr. Abshire gave Steve a copy of this book. The book came home and I grabbed it and started reading.

Chapter 1 - Getting the News
Chapter 2 - Hope: Jesus is the Model
Chapter 3 - Conquering Fear

Well, what happens next?
I had my mammogram in early December. I get a “call back”. Go through more tests, and find out I have breast cancer, an aggressive one. Immediately, I think back and realize, this book was meant to be in my hands that day in mid-November. By this point I was half way through reading it.

Thankfully, my next steps with surgery, the results came back clean. And, now, following the rest of the doctors’ protocols, I should be good to go for hopefully several years.

Whoa - was that a coincidence, or was it? I believe in God, and I believe this was set up for me, just at this time.

Dr. Abshire started writing this book quite a while ago - it was a book to help those diagnosed with terminal illnesses. As he was asking God how could he relate to the terminally ill patients, he goes down for a colonoscopy, and gets bad news about his own health. (He explains his story completely.) Now, he can relate and finishes the book. He said he would have reworded his prayer to God a little differently if he knew. Dr. Abshire has a sense of humor, and as he writes - laughter is the best medicine.

Live, Love & Let Go is inspirational, educational, and a good reference guide. It was a perfect book for me.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as my Brother-in-Law was in the final stages of cancer. Insightful and well-written, it was invaluable reading at the time. Highly recommend.