Overview

""It's best when the family decides."" There is no guidebook on when, or how, to stop treatment of a terminal illness. Offered here is an intimate account of how the myriad end-of-life decisions affect a family. Bob Vallee had the courage to accept his impending death and lived out his final days at home in his daughter's care. He passed peacefully, in his sleep, twenty-nine days after entering hospice. At the heart of this deeply reflective narrative about choices in living and dying, the reader finds a story of acceptance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and finally, awe for the fragility of life. Peace is a place that lies between what is lost and what still remains. Kathleen Vallee Stein presents a lens-shifting view of role reversal as she steps into the role of caregiver. Her service to her father was a gift of love and gave him the dignity we all deserve in the last moments of our life. Stein's attention to detail sensitively recaptures events, without falling prey to nostalgia. Read this book to consider choices you may make for yourself or the ones you love.

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9781732620209

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"The information that Kathleen Vallee Stein shares from a family member's perspective about hospice is so important because it's a perspective we don't always hear. Lots of us (hospice physicians) talk about how hospice looks from our perspective. To hear from a family member is vital, and important for others who might be considering hospice for their loved one. Buy this book for yourself and another one for a friend. Karen Wyatt, MD, hospice physician and bestselling author of 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying Loving Choices, Peaceful Passing: Why My Family Chose Hospice is an often touching, no-frills account of an unperfect family's reluctant but courageous acceptance of a call to action in the final chapter of life. Stein's family was Midwest stoic, they did not express love, and they did not seek help. Stein's father's physician, Dr. Archer, quietly, but firmly told him that his condition was terminal. After that, asking for help got easier. Choosing hospice care for his final days allowed Stein's father to die at home with dignity. We often kick life's painful topics down the road until they knock at our door. Loving Choices is no beach read, but it is worth having as a reference for when that knock comes on the door that you don't want to answer, but you must. Scott Carter, Producer, playwright, and host of ""Ye Gods!"" podcast With warmth and courage, Kathleen Vallee Stein describes both the personal and universal journey of caring for a family member during their final days. The story of her family draws you in and provides support for exploring the complex emotional and spiritual terrain of end-of-life. Judy Thomas, JD, Coalition for Compassionate Care of California Kathleen Vallee Stein's story of her family's hospice experience opens the reader's heart while it informs, and dispels, myths. In a culture that avoids talking about death, this book opens the door to much-needed healing discourse. Erica Silverman, Librarian and author of Jack Kathleen Vallee Stein tells the story of her family's experience with hospice and the choices that must be made to give her father a dignified and peaceful death. Loving Choices, Peaceful Passing: Why My Family Chose Hospice is a case-study in hospice care and how it can provide the medical, emotional and social support families need to navigate the end of a life. As an RN, I highly recommend this book to anyone working with patients and families who interact with hospice care. It helped me understand the challenges families face and the peace they can experience in giving their loved ones a ""good death."" Benjamin Rooney, RN, NYU Langone Health, New York Kathleen Vallee Stein writes a powerful book on a topic that is rarely discussed until one is directly confronted with it head-on. Her lovingly written book provides a direct conversation on death and dying and helps to delve into this topic with the myriad of choices one has during this difficult time. It helps to answer questions we don't often confront until it confronts us. Beautifully written and heartfelt. I highly recommend reading this enlightening book. Darlene Bradley, Librarian, Arcadia Public Library, Arcadia, CA"

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