Paul's father is a doctor who moved to Arizona with his family when Paul was only ten. Paul's father, who was completely absorbed in the study of medicine, set a horrible example for his son. Never at the house, Paul grew up believing that all doctors must spend extra time away from home. Originally, Paul wanted to become a doctor, but this fact discouraged him.
Paul's mother, however, still wanted him to go into medicine when he was older. Pau's school system was not the best, so she invested in education materials to teach him better. After buying him a book about the mind, Paul became interested in the career path of neuroscience.
Paul is accepted to Stanford University, and gets degrees in literature and biology. Upon a quest to better understand the meaning of life, Paul finally finds that medicine is his true calling. He begins medical school at Yale University, where he meets his wife, Lucy.
Unfortunately, Paul's life takes a bad turn when he is diagnosed with lung cancer. The worst nightmare of any doctor, Paul is a difficult patient, demanding that he be able to diagnose and treat himself rather than let Dr. Hayward practice the way she finds best.
Paul undergoes chemotherapy treatment, but it does not work. He knows that he is going to die, but he can do nothing about it. The cancer consumes him, and he simply is waiting to die. About a year before Paul passes away in 2015, his daughter is born.
