Facing Death: Finding Dignity, Hope and Healing at the End by Jim deMaine (PDF)

Description

Is it possible to have a good death, free from unnecessary pain and trauma? What if our final days were designed to bring about reconciliation and release? In this wise and large-hearted book, Dr. Jim deMaine offers advice pointing the way toward a grace-filled transition out of life.Facing Death is both a memoir-in-vignettes and a handbook full of practical advice from Dr. deMaine’s forty years in busy hospitals and ICUs. Using stories from his own life and practice, the veteran physician walks readers through ethical questions around “heroic” interventions: Do we fully understand what we’re asking when we tell doctors to “do everything” to prolong life, even in cases when a patient has no chance of regaining consciousness? If we write advance directives outlining the kinds of care we would, or would not want, how can we ensure that they will be followed?As a pulmonary and critical care specialist, Dr. deMaine developed deep experience navigating such quandaries with patients and their families. In Facing Death he also treads into territory many physicians avoid, such as the role of spirituality; conflicts between doctors and families; cultural traditions that can aid or impede the goal of a peaceful transition, and ways to leave a moral legacy for our descendants.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐My husband, a retired physician, and I, a retired nurse, both strongly recommend Facing Death as an important book for all adults to read regardless of their age. When you read Dr. deMaine’s book, you will both enjoy the stories about his patient interactions and learn the importance of why and how to plan ahead. While older adults may be drawn to this title, young adults could benefit by understanding end of life situations that they may face for their parents or themselves. Dr. deMaine writes with a light hand to illustrate serious matters. He uses his many years of personal experience as a Pulmonologist to offer guidance. The importance of communication is key in this important book. You will enjoy and learn a lot by reading this book. I lost two brothers this year and am so glad Dr. deMaine’s book stresses the idea that we plan ahead for the unexpected.

⭐I had the privilege of knowing the author in the late 1960s when we were both in Afghanistan, taking care of U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers. I remember him as a thoughtful, caring physician. Jim went on to become an internist and pulmonologist. Now retired, he has written a warm, wise, and wonderful book which I recommend with enthusiasm and without reservation. Drawing on recollections of interactions with patients during busy clinical practice as well as making trenchant observations of life, he deals with often thorny end-of-life issues with humility and grace. To both those who deal personally with such issues and to those wishing to better learn how healthcare professionals often wrestle with these issues, this is worth a read.

⭐This book didn’t do to me what I expected when I a bit reluctantly picked it up. I thought looking at death head-on would sadden and agitate me. Instead I felt calmed and inspired to do something that might make both me and my survivors happier. DeMaine is gifted, not only as a physician but as an author. His moving and funny anecdotes make inevitable death something I can deal with better, perhaps making it for others an event that causes less grief and turmoil and for me a time I am doing my best.

⭐Dr. deMaine has written a very important, heartwarming and informative book on this often neglected subject. In it he shares his own life story along with his 40 years of personal experiences with hundreds of his patients going through this difficult end of life process. His advice is very practical and because of reading this book, at my age of 84, I have just added my POLST form to my important documents. Thank you for writing such a helpful, medically informative and humanistic book for both the general public and healthcare professionals. Gil Levitt, MD formally Chief of ENT at Eastside Group Health Cooperative and now part of Kaiser Permanente.

⭐Well written in an easy, conversational style, this book can help any family prepare for the inevitable by doing appropriate planning and lovingly communicating. Dr. De Maine speaks compassionately from his years of experience in intensive hospital care and writes insightfully about positive ways to prepare for what he calls “a good death,” that is, a death that occurs under conditions sanctioned the patient. Very helpful and informative.

⭐Delivered quickly in good shape

⭐Dr. deMaine in “Facing Death” relates with empathy the myriad ways death can come and that it is important to think about what quality of life we want for ourselves. He urges us not just think about it but take action; talk with our families about our wishes, complete a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, and complete a Health Care Directive. This is an important book for those of all ages

⭐Dr. deMaine provides us with an important, thoughtful book. Every single one of us will eventually need to choose the best course for our own death, and this book provides much guidance and wisdom from a critical care doctor who, through caring for very sick patients his entire career, became an expert on end of life issues. The stories are relevant, entertaining, and very well-written. I highly recommend this book!

⭐Could not put this book down. Tackles the most difficult subject in an engaging way. The many stories give a lesson in the sort of situations that can arise when end of life is near and when it happens.

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