Okay, let's break it down—why is this essay so good? Before it went to the printer, I asked another editor to read it, and later she said, "There were parts of it I read over and over, going, 'How did she do that?'" I've probably read the thing 30 times, and each time I do see something new. So I ask you: What's the best part of this piece?

1) The overall bravery and sensitivity?

2) How fiercely intelligent it is while also being full of mystery?

3) The unlikely soundtrack—a combination of Mary J. Blige, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Bob Dylan, and John Prine?

4) The doctor who looks like Kurt Vonnegut?

5) The part where she throws the book of daily aphorisms written by a Buddhist nun across the room?

6) The part where old, fat Marlon Brando is standing on her chest?

7) The surgeon who walks in with dried blood on his glasses?

8) The part where she suddenly thinks of Odilon Redon's painting of St. Sebastian?

9) The imagination and selflessness in her comparison of stage IV cancer to mental illness?

10) The landslide thing?

11) That even though it's "heavy stuff... it never loses a sense of lightness"?

Somehow that list doesn't get me any closer to understanding how Trisha Ready does it. Could you please read it and help me out? Why is this piece so jaw-droppingly good?