Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying
By:
Maggie Callanan Patricia Kelley
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Lowest New Price: $8.98
List Price: $17.00
Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5
Description:
Five years after its first publication, with more than 150,000 copies in print, Final Gifts has become a classic. In this moving and compassionate book, hospice nurses Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley share their intimate experiences with patients at the end of life, drawn from more than twenty years experience tending the terminally ill. Through their stories we come to appreciate the near-miraculous ways in which the dying communicate their needs, reveal their feelings, and even choreograph their own final moments; we also discover the gifts--of wisdom, faith, and love--that the dying leave for the living to share. Filled with practical advice on responding to the requests of the dying and helping them prepare emotionally and spiritually for death, Final Gifts shows how we can help the dying person live fully to the very end
Publisher: Bantam
Release Date: 1997-02-03
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
can't recommend it highly enough! full of hope and love! - I second what others have expressed so well, in our own fear of death, we abandon those who, we know are dying; thereby denying ourselves and them, the special final gifts awaiting us all; Without bringing religious beliefs into this revise; I will say that being with a person who, is dying is a time filled with such love, that, allowing that person to go, an important act on our part can be all the more gutwrenching; although the awareness of our loved one going into a place of peace , and joy , is a great gift for someone facing the death of a loved one; as well as contemplating our own deaths, this book is most highly recommended; I have given this to friends whose parents were in the final stages of life; and received heartfelt thanks from the remaining parent; This book has brought comfort tp many; as well as being life changing to others . for all of us, at some point this will be helpful. Do your self a favor, and read it!
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
must read for terminally ill - This book helped me manage a dark time in life. I wrote a review on its companion book (Final Journeys) also. I was disapppointed that my mother in law wasn't as communicative about emotional issues as some stories in the book. It has changed my view of death and I will follow many suggestions when facing my own death. Highly recommend this book if you are friends with, related to someone approaching death, or facing your own slow death by a terminal illness. She offers such practical, but deeply insightful knowledge you won't find anywhere else. And its a quick read too.
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Final Gifts is a blessing to all caregivers. - This book was written by two nurses who have had decades of experience working with the dying, and it offers wise advice for all caregivers, enabling them to provide the most caring, helpful and comforting assistance to loved ones facing death due to cancer or other diseases.
It was a comfort to me, because it shows that there is much we can do to make the dying experience a more peaceful one for our loved ones by paying close attention to the things they are telling us, either verbally or non-verbally and helping them whenever possible to find a peaceful resolution to situations or relationships that are worrying them as they face death.
It is not written from the standpoint of any particular faith, and is truly a helpful book for anyone who is caring for a dying loved one. I am so glad to have been given this book, and have bought another copy to share with others.
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Thank you for writing this book! - I am a frequent purchaser on Amazon, but have never taken the time to write a review. I would be doing injustice if I did not extend my sincerest appreciation and gratitude to the authors of this book. My mother was diagnosed with phase IV lung cancer in March 2008. Prior to her diagnosis, I had limited knowledge of the dying process and was terrified of death. On June 16, 2009, her 58th birthday, my mother courageously decided to forgo treatment and live the remainder of her life as peaceful and pain-free as possible, with the help of hospice. For the next six months, my mother's hospice nurse became an integral part of my family's life and a good friend.
Less than two weeks ago, my mother passed away. Hours before she died, she told me she wanted to go home and asked for permission to go. Then she said I love you over and over again, while I held her hand and told her it was OK to go home. My dog was also there, licking my mom's fingers until she fell back asleep. Because of this book, I was able to listen to my mothers wishes and help her go peacefully. Words cannot describe the feeling that rushed through me when I heard her say I want to go home and the comfort in knowing that home was heaven.
As strange as it sounds, being with her when she died was a profound, miraculous experience. She was there for my first breath and I was there for her last. Up until now, I was afraid of death and the unknown. But my mom's passing gave me so much comfort that there is life after death and that the spirit lives on forever.
I love you, Mom.
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Understanding Hospice - I am a beginning Hospice volunteer. My director recommeded this book. It really helped me to understand the role that I will have as a volunteer. I also found another book by the same author and now I feel like I know a lot about how to deal with families and their dying family member.
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