[Palliative Care] [Navigating Life-limiting illness] [Patient-advocacy]

This book is designed to improve our illness journey right from diagnosis. The tools offered are practical and can be applied to any illness to support optimal communication between patient, their home care team and the medical providers they rely on.

Drs. Winemaker & Seow are compassionate and realistic and understand how our medical systems impact our illness journey and believe we can find hope in the face of uncertainty live well, be fully informed, —and feel more like a person and less like a patient.

It’s hard to advocate for ourselves and even harder when we’re feeling our worst. Readers will gain insight into how they like to receive important information as it relates to their health and how that impacts the illness journey as well.

Download FREE illness roadmaps HERE.

[Real life stories] [Near Death Experiences] [Hospice] [Dying Process]

Maggie Callanan & Patricia Kelley, both hospices nurses, share intimate experiences of what happens at the bedside of a dying person, the place many of us have never been, but we have questions about.

These stories are not medical moments. They span a multitude of tender conversations to help demystify things we’ve heard or seen, but didn’t understand. There is comfort and wisdom in each chapter inviting greater understanding. No doubt you will find stories that resonate with you.

Chapter 3 was particularly of interest, as the authors dive into what people NEED for a peaceful death, the thing we all desire.

[Real life stories] [Navigating modern medicine] [Navigating death]

Atul Gawande introduces us to the concept of working our way up to the big question of “What values do you have and how can we meet those with your goals of care.” (Which IS a big question and hard to answer in one fell swoop.) He asks, “What is a good day for you?” Such a brilliant approach that we all can unpack and build upon.

I’m pretty sure this book will never grow old.

It’ll open your eyes to better understand why a patient might choose a certain type of medial care and the questions we can ask ourselves that will support us in making informed decisions.

[Real life stories] [End-of-life choices][Hospice] [Palliative Care]

Pat O’Connor has a tender way of reminding us we are living longer and good health doesn't necessarily keep pace. Her empathy as a Nurse Practitioner, board certified in adult, palliative and hospice medicine shines through each chapter. We’re introduced to individuals and families who traversed our complicated medical system, working with professionals hardwired to "save lives" for many diseases which there is no cure for.

So, how do we in the most tender of times know what we should do? How do we reclaim our agency on our last chapter in a manner reflective of our values and what is important to us when we are tired and feel our worst? Through hindsight and without being prescriptive, Pat offers up situations she believes many of us would appreciate avoiding. Page 18 stands out for us.

[Medical ethics] [Patient Decisions] [Treatment Decisions]

You might have asked yourself, “How did we get here?” as it pertains to our medical delivery system. There is so little education and training on death and dying for our medical professionals, yet it is the one thing we all will face. Sharon Kaufman did the research and provides information for us to digest and reflect upon. Prompting us to reclaim our agency in the halls of modern medicine - if we chose.

Sharon Kaufman was an esteemed medical anthropologist who died April 2, 2022 that you wish you had met. She asks the questions, “Where do we draw the line when it comes to extraordinary treatments and longer lives?'“ “Who benefits?

[Palliative Care] [Life Limiting Illness] [Terminal Diagnosis] [Communication Tools]

Dr. Delia Chiaramonte is an Integrative Palliative Care doctor that believes in shining a light on both sides of the palliative care discussion, while encouraging patients and their families to create a care plan that support all involved. Widen the lens and address gaps practically, with the goal of not burning out the caregiver (if solo) or the team.

Her book is full of many real-life stories to draw from and to encourage us all to be kind to ourselves in the journey ahead when serious illnesses occur.

[Navigating life and death] [Guided Exercises]

You know when you read a book that gets you so jazzed you want to tell everyone about it? I’m told, this IS that book. The recommendation was submitted by an individual who navigated a very significant death in her life and was someone who self-admittedly was afraid of death for most of her life. She threw herself into studying death in different cultures, read a plethora of books and listened to an equal amount of podcasts and THIS book is the one that stood out from the rest.

“This book was the absolute pinnacle of my shift from fear to open acceptance. It made me confront death in a way that I hadn’t before and in a manner that made me feel not so alone.” ~Susan from Bangor, ME

Click HERE to send us an email sharing what book made an impact on how you are navigating death, dying, end-of-life and life in general. What was your favorite chapter, story, resource, etc.?