Documentary filmmaker Ben Mittleman turns the camera on himself when confronted with the same open-heart surgery that derailed his father's life. In the year following his surgery, Ben struggles with a difficult recovery, and the news that his mother and wife now have life threatening illnesses of their own. Being there for them becomes the secret road to his recovery and his freedom from the fear of dying. It's these affairs of the heart that are the soul of DYING TO LIVE. This beautifully interwoven documentary portrays with rare humor and spirit, an ordinary man struggling to survive and heal the women he loves.