Enjoy Every Sandwich: Living Each Day as If It Were Your Last

I actually liked this book but was not sure when I read reviews that complained about the woowoo- new age stuff in it. I looked at those parts like I do religion. If it helped him, good, as long as it didn't hurt anyone else.

This book was written by a doctor after he was given the terminal diagnosis of cancer. He talks about living life to the fullest and how the most important thing in the end is love. He does talk about past lives an astral projection. There are so many things to think about when you are dying and he did a good job of being very open with this book an how real things were with his wife, his kids, and even his parents. He shared about how he would use things like meditation to help him through this treatments. He show more tried to keep a positive attitude and live his life to the fullest while he was dying. That is all we can do as we are all dying. None of us know when. Some of us do know how- or think we know- things happen. I try to read many books of choosing your views to help me remember these things. Life can be very difficult at times but we need to remember that it can always be worse. If we have our basic need met and friends and family that we love and that love us, what else can we really need? Nothing. Everything else really is a want. Live your life, enjoy your life and don't let the little every day things ruin your day. You do not know what tomorrow holds and if you hold onto the sadness, bitterness, an anger, you are less likely to see the good and also more likely to get ill.
Sorry for the ramble. Overall, this is a good quick read about positive attitude towards life and worth the reading time. show less

We've all heard the advice of living every day as if it were your last. But, how many of us could actually sit back and enjoy life if we were given a diagnosis of a terminal illness? In July, 2009, Lipsenthal was diagnosed with terminal esophageal cancer. Rather than panic or dwell on the unfairness of his situation, Dr. Lipsenthal focused on living his remaining months with joy, peace, and gratitude. Although there are parts of this book that my inner skeptic found a bit unbelievable, the message of enjoying every minute of life is a good one. Lipsenthal is brutally honest and does not hesitate to bare his emotions and share his feelings. The audiobook is narrated by the author and in some parts when he discusses some very difficult show more feelings, his voice is choked up with tears (which of course made me cry also). Very moving and very inspirational. show less

I have to confess. I was expecting a straight up self-help/encouragement type book. That's not exactly what I got. The book strayed into some beliefs that I think hurt his credibility a little bit but I'm not sure that I'm one to judge on that. I do know that I appreciated his attitude of gratitude and love. Fighting cancer takes a lot out of not only the person infected but also their family and loved ones. It's hard not to get down and hate life and God and get bitter. Instead Dr. Lipsenthal approached cancer not as a death sentence but as a new lease on life and a reason to enjoy every day.

The topic of this book is a tough one to read about. The big "C" word, whether it deals with breast cancer, lung cancer, or any other type of cancer is scary. It is scary to the person who has just heard the diagnosis and it is scary to their friends and family. It is not an unfamiliar word in my family. As a matter of fact this book is on its way to my sister. She was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 19. After surgery and radiation she was clear of cancer for 20 years. Eight years ago she was diagnosed with lung cancer. It is slowly moving throughout her body. Her outlook is like Lee's. Instead of focusing on death, she has chosen to focus on life and living it to her fullest. She is enjoying time with he grand kids and show more daughter. Like Lee she prays and meditates daily. I enjoyed reading his philosophy although some aspects of it differ from mine. He said, "many religions use meditation and some just call it prayer. Some say prayer is talking to God or the universe and meditation is listening to the answer'. (page 50). I believe some people will feel threatened by his belief system. He doesn't knock any ones religious beliefs. He actually encourages people to pray and meditate. As a Christian I can tell you that I feel out of balance if I don't start my day with prayer and meditation. No matter what your religious beliefs Lee is right about several things. First we should acknowledge that bad things happen to good people, just like good things happen to them. Second, we should create a life that is full of love and laughter. We should never put ourselves into a box of our own making. When my father was alive my mom would come to him with a problem. He would handle it. She often told him that it drove her nuts that he didn't seem to worry or care about the situation. His reply was always the same, "I care about it and I'll handle it, but worrying about it won't change it one bit. So at this point in time I "choose" not to worry about it because worry won't add anything to my life, but it can take so much away.

I think the overall message of this book is to live life to the fullest no matter what the situation. show less

The type of book that everyone should take the time to read as it should help most put life into perspective. Dr. Lipsenthal ironically practiced later in his career preventive medicine only to be stricken by cancer in his early 50's.

His ideas surrounding life and dying at times seem a little out there primarily when he explores possible past lives and spiritualistic encounters. However his main theme, that to reflect on gratitude to what we have had in life is as important a message as anyone could could receive from him.

Most of of will face the reality of our demise at some point and so the message is universal, enjoy what you have and have had and face the future with as much inspiration as we can as we approach the unknown.

Quick read. Reminds us all to enjoy life because you never know when it will all end. There were some parts of the book that I just didn't quite get but maybe thats just me. All in all a good read.

This was such exquisitely written. I was left speechless constantly, and cried so many time, I lost count. I will always carry Lee's words to heart.