The Conflict of Caring
Available now in paperback!
Have you ever been a sick and needed medical care? Has a loved one ever been hospitalized for an illness? Living through the experience of a serious medical diagnosis brings to light the effect illness has on the human perspective and the whole experience can be frustrating to say the least. Facing the fear of being sick is one thing, but trying to understand the system that is supposed to return us back to health and well-being is quite another. Communication is the key to any successful relationship but it is especially true when we are sick. With millions of people being hospitalized each year, the chance of being in a medical situation is likely. At some point, the majority of the population will either be a patient or have a loved one who needs medical treatment, and how they perceive the care they receive is vital to the physical and emotional outcome of these stressful situations. With the current attention on family centered care and the bombardment of information through technology, understanding the reality of illness and the array of human emotions connected to it is as important as the medical treatment we expect to receive. Illness is not just a physical situation; it is also an emotional one, and telling our story is a way to share our experiences and understand the perspectives from all sides of the bedrail. It is where science meets society and a new understanding of each is found. This book is the story of my journey through the healthcare system from all three perspectives. Although it is a personal story, its appeal is universal. A husband in critical condition; becoming a nurse later in life; being diagnosed with cancer; all three experiences eventually leading to a place of understanding and healing after many bumps in the road. Hopefully through the sharing of my experiences, the gap in awareness between family, nurse and patient is narrowed and healing can begin.