Families who would want to honour a parent’s request to not die in hospital, encounter obstacles that can defeat even accomplished health professionals. Autumns’ Grace is a story that spans a ten-month period as the Campbell family comes to terms with the father’s diagnosis of cancer. The diagnosis seems a particularly unfair blow to a veterinarian who has lived a very healthy lifestyle. In addition he has treated his animal patients and their owners with more respect and compassion than many of the human health professionals are willing or able to provide. The adult children (two nurses, veterinarian, and teacher) confront a health care system they thought they knew, and familial relationships that they had avoided for decades. Generational pulls and career conflicts challenge the siblings as they support their parents, conduct their own family and professional lives, and are forced to face critical situations and the decisions that they must make. They muddle through with varying doses of tenacity, courage, humour and hope. An important criticism of the health care system, this novel is a gift to people dealing with a dying parent and fulfilling their final wishes.”Bonnie Lendrum provides valuable insights into the heart-wrenching struggles that families may experience as they strive for their loved ones to have the best possible end-of-life care. Compassionate and compelling, this book will motivate health care professionals to continue their work toward a seamless and coordinated health care system that can best meet the patient’s and their families’ needs.”–Mary Davies, MSCN, member of the June Callwood Circle of Outstanding Hospice Volunteers”Autumn’s Grace is a rarity–a novel that gives the reader a close-up and at times blindingly honest view of a family’s end-of-life journey. The novel explores the emotions of each family member as they try to deal with an unexpected diagnosis of cancer–their fear, anger, frailty, love, resentment, strength and loneliness. This book is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to understand the complexity of emotions facing what for many of us is one of the most difficult times in our lives and one that few of us are ever prepared to face.”–Janet Napper, Past Executive Director, Hospice Association of Ontario

Autumn’s Grace (Inanna Poetry and Fiction Series) PDF

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