Review by Lonawin -- Dying Well by Susan Ducharme Hoben
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Review by Lonawin -- Dying Well by Susan Ducharme Hoben
[Following is a volunteer review of "Dying Well" by Susan Ducharme Hoben.]
Dying Well Our Journey of Love and Loss by Susan Ducharme Hoben was believable and magnificently written. Unlike most non-fiction books, the author placed herself into the story. It all takes place when Susan Hoben’s husband, Bruce, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer that within months quickly metastasized into other areas of his body. This story was a special, thought-provoking look into Bruce’s brave passage of life into death while adhering to his decision not to continue to proceed with chemotherapy or radiation treatments. All throughout, Susan was consistently committed to being by his side assisting with love and devotion through participating, researching and just “being there” while they climbed this mountain together. She thoughtfully gave the reader some insights into her procedures, treatments and doctors that she accumulated from her experiences with a bout of breast cancer eight years prior. Dying Well was a vivid and personal glimpse into the handling of a very “touchy” subject that few wish to address while alive and still of sound mind.
Susan and Bruce’s journey was courageously executed through finalizing all of their end-of-life paperwork and asking pointed questions to all the doctors involved in Bruce’s care. Candidly, they also included their family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances of what was to come with their frequent gatherings, Celebration of Life parties and email updates. Bruce desired for each person to knowingly be a participant and/or active listener in this process. Whether or not they agreed with his choice of decisions, many turned out to be cheerleaders as well. Particularly striking was the couple’s ability to ask the appropriate questions to the doctors regarding their individual credentials and plans they were advising for care. The doctors openly discussed the intense anatomical evaluations in a way understandable to Susan and Bruce. It kept them knowledgeable, engaged and participatory in the disease progression and treatment options.
In my opinion, Dying Well gained a 4 out of 4 rating. My evaluation was that this story was superbly edited with lack of flaws from the front to back. Particularly awesome was the front cover of the book with a lone sailboat traveling in the darkness with a hazed sun shining down on it. My interpretation of this was a soft ray of light peeking through the clouds to show the way through the dark final passage of death while floating lazily alone with no haste toward the inevitable. The content was easily read and captured the reader’s attention from the very beginning. It was almost as though the reader was right there experiencing events as they were presented from the author.
This book also really accentuated the strong synchronized expressions of love that occurred between Susan and Bruce. It gave the reader revelations into the lasting bonds that can be gained within a meaningful relationship. Dying Well eloquently depicted the cultivation and continuation of true love, respect, decency and honor they had toward one another with the use of verbal and nonverbal communication throughout difficult situations.
Overall, this story gave the reader insight into a different way of experiencing the journey of life into death. It was presented with dignity and grace and full of guidance to families experiencing the many questions involved in the difficult decision-making processes presented during the delicate circumstances of death. Susan Hoben gave us some important ways to deal with our healthcare system and take the bold measures necessary to empower a patient to be heard and be able to express their desires and decisions without medical intervention. In Dying Well Our Journey of Love and Loss, Susan stated it well when she said her husband’s decision to stop treatment made each accomplishment sweet for its existence rather than for its loss.
******
Dying Well
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Dying Well Our Journey of Love and Loss by Susan Ducharme Hoben was believable and magnificently written. Unlike most non-fiction books, the author placed herself into the story. It all takes place when Susan Hoben’s husband, Bruce, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer that within months quickly metastasized into other areas of his body. This story was a special, thought-provoking look into Bruce’s brave passage of life into death while adhering to his decision not to continue to proceed with chemotherapy or radiation treatments. All throughout, Susan was consistently committed to being by his side assisting with love and devotion through participating, researching and just “being there” while they climbed this mountain together. She thoughtfully gave the reader some insights into her procedures, treatments and doctors that she accumulated from her experiences with a bout of breast cancer eight years prior. Dying Well was a vivid and personal glimpse into the handling of a very “touchy” subject that few wish to address while alive and still of sound mind.
Susan and Bruce’s journey was courageously executed through finalizing all of their end-of-life paperwork and asking pointed questions to all the doctors involved in Bruce’s care. Candidly, they also included their family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances of what was to come with their frequent gatherings, Celebration of Life parties and email updates. Bruce desired for each person to knowingly be a participant and/or active listener in this process. Whether or not they agreed with his choice of decisions, many turned out to be cheerleaders as well. Particularly striking was the couple’s ability to ask the appropriate questions to the doctors regarding their individual credentials and plans they were advising for care. The doctors openly discussed the intense anatomical evaluations in a way understandable to Susan and Bruce. It kept them knowledgeable, engaged and participatory in the disease progression and treatment options.
In my opinion, Dying Well gained a 4 out of 4 rating. My evaluation was that this story was superbly edited with lack of flaws from the front to back. Particularly awesome was the front cover of the book with a lone sailboat traveling in the darkness with a hazed sun shining down on it. My interpretation of this was a soft ray of light peeking through the clouds to show the way through the dark final passage of death while floating lazily alone with no haste toward the inevitable. The content was easily read and captured the reader’s attention from the very beginning. It was almost as though the reader was right there experiencing events as they were presented from the author.
This book also really accentuated the strong synchronized expressions of love that occurred between Susan and Bruce. It gave the reader revelations into the lasting bonds that can be gained within a meaningful relationship. Dying Well eloquently depicted the cultivation and continuation of true love, respect, decency and honor they had toward one another with the use of verbal and nonverbal communication throughout difficult situations.
Overall, this story gave the reader insight into a different way of experiencing the journey of life into death. It was presented with dignity and grace and full of guidance to families experiencing the many questions involved in the difficult decision-making processes presented during the delicate circumstances of death. Susan Hoben gave us some important ways to deal with our healthcare system and take the bold measures necessary to empower a patient to be heard and be able to express their desires and decisions without medical intervention. In Dying Well Our Journey of Love and Loss, Susan stated it well when she said her husband’s decision to stop treatment made each accomplishment sweet for its existence rather than for its loss.
******
Dying Well
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: The Legacy of Job's Wife by Cynthia Koelker
