Book Title: Dying Made Easy(er): Creating Your Happy Ending
Author: Myra Bennett
Category: Adult non-fiction (18 +), 270 pages
Genre: Self help
Publisher: Balboa Press
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (My book discusses death and dying)
Book Description:
Stories of American prowess in technology and medicine abound. And while these achievements have extended the lives of patients, they have not always extended the quality of those lives. As the older population in America skyrockets, more and more people who have received a terminal diagnosis, as well as those who love them, must grapple with the devastating decision of how they will forestall--or face--death. In Dying Made Easy(er) by Myra Bennett, we are guided through the diverse phases and considerations of the end of life by an experienced traveler who's spent many hours "as a guest in the sacred place of the dying." Bennett, a hospice nurse and certified end of life doula, who has also grappled with death in her personal life, invites us to contemplate dying from many different angles: legal, social, physical, psychological, and spiritual. Her Dying Made Easy(er) is both a handbook of pertinent information and a medley of informed suggestions for us to consider when experiencing or sharing the phenomenon that is the end of life. Bennett believes it is imperative that we--as a community--are aware of how to find help when faced with death and dying. In Dying Made Easy(er), she provides the resources to address this pressing need.
Bennett, who is the co-founder of Compassionate Crossings in Sacramento, has seen it all. She's witnessed the dying process unfold in beautiful ways, with gifts for all involved, and she's seen it devolve into a series of anguished mishaps that leave the family praying for an early transition. As there are no opportunities for rehearsals or do-overs, Bennett is committed to helping us better understand dying as the last--but not the least--chapter of life, and to helping us dream what this chapter might look like. In her warm and wise book, we learn how to turn this dream into a personal reality that will meet not only our deep-felt needs and desires but also those of our family and loved ones.
Buy the Book:
It is very apparent that the author of this book is very knowledgeable about the information that she shares in Dying Made Easy(er): Creating Your Happy Ending. Although the subject matter is one that many people avoid discussing, this is a book that we all need to have. Some of the topics covered include estate planning, advance health directives, treatment for terminal conditions, and the decision to stop medical treatment. Bennett is a retired Hospice nurse and she explains how this valuable service helps both the dying person and their family/caregivers and she also introduces readers to the concept of the end-of-life doula, a trained professional who serves as a death companion to both the dying person and their loved ones. A doula may serve in the home or in a hospice setting.
Perhaps the chapters that fascinated me the most were the ones that explain both the mindset and the physical symptoms of a person who is dying. As I read them I realized just how accurate they were in describing my own mother's last days. She died after being in Hospice for four days but I now understand that her body was readying itself for several weeks before her actual death.
Dying Made Easy(er) is a very helpful book and my only reservation is about the last chapter that talks about one's beliefs. I understand that the people who read this book will be of different faiths and some may not believe in a Supreme Being at all but I was a little uncomfortable with some of her statements. I do, however, appreciate that Bennett has made this book available and I certainly recommend it as a worthy resource.
I was given a copy of this book but a favorable review was not required. These are my honest thoughts.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
View all my reviews
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Myra Bennett has been a student of death and dying since she experienced the loss of her husband in 2001. The years that would follow saw the loss of many friends and family as well, which gave her life experiences she would later use to care for patients as a hospice nurse at a large national hospice agency.
Today Myra is a certified end of life doula at Compassionate Crossings in Sacramento where she not only guides and supports terminally ill persons and their families, she also speaks and educates on all subjects related to death and dying.
Connect with the author: Website ~ YouTube ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE:
Sept 16 – Library of Clean Reads – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Sept 16 - Just Another Reader - book review
Sept 17 - Rockin' Book Reviews - book review / guest post / giveaway
Sept 17 - Everyday Gyaan – book review / giveaway
Sept 18 - A Fountain of Books - book review / author interview
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Sept 19 - Fur Everywhere - book review / giveaway
Sept 19 – My Reading Life – book spotlight / giveaway
Sept 20 –Literary Flits – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Sept 23 – Older & Smarter? – book review / giveaway
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Win one of two hard copies and 3 ebooks of Dying Made Easy(er). One winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card (US only) (six winners) Contest ends October. 5, 2019.
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Yes, it sounds like this is a book that every family should have. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for your insights about my book Connie. Thank you so much for your review!
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