Main description:

A celebration of a life, a story of a death, but most importantly an exploration of grief and loss relevant to all those in a position to make that experience more bearable.

This book is essential reading for anyone working or preparing to work with young adults and others facing terminal illness, and their families. It is written by a bereaved mother of a 25 year-old son treated unsuccessfully for cancer. Heartbreakingly honest, Nina draws on relevant theory, research and narrative texts as well as personal reflections. She considers what might have made the hideous journey through treatment, dying and bereavement easier to bear.

This is a moving and memorable story for all of us, but there are also learning points throughout for medics and medical policy makers specifically and the health and social care professions more generally. Students and experienced nurses, doctors, counsellors, clerics and others will benefit from deepening their understanding in order to work more effectively with people facing the unthinkable.

Contents:

Preface

Not a Misery Memoir
Reminiscences
Calm Before the Storm
Applied Grief and Bereavement Theory
Denial as a Defence
Treatment: The Skeleton
Not Waving but Drowning
Death
God in the Storm
Our Life Raft
Margaret's speech
Life After the Flood
Ghost, Dreams and Reminders
Survivors
Avoidance
Getting on with It
An Imagined Life

Appendix 1: Sources of further support

Appendix 2: Critical reflections

Appendix 3: A summary of learning points for professionals

References