LIVING WITH DYING

by David Carroll ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1985

Solid help for those who would like to be able to integrate their feelings and understanding of death into their general outlook--which at some point might be any of us. In Q & A format, Carroll (generalist-author of sundry works) makes his way through all the major concerns, incorporating much recent material on the needs and feelings of the dying and those around them. The questions are perceptive, hitting on universal difficulties: ""one feels awkward around a dying person, especially if he wants to talk about his death. If one hasn't been trained in talking with patients, how do you know what to say. . . how can you avoid saying the wrong things?"" (Essentially, "". . . let the dying person carry the conversation. . . if he wants to talk about God, let him talk about God. If he wants to talk about pain, then talk about pain. If he wants to talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers, follow suit."") Carroll offers considerable information on ""What It Feels Like to Be Dying""--noting, for example, that there are four major kinds of fears: religious fear, fear of pain, separation-abandonment fear, and existential fear. This sort of knowledge provides reassurance that the dying do not become so different from the rest of us; it removes the discomfort both of considering one's own death and that of those dear to us. Children receive special attention, as patients and as family; and such practical matters as home care, locating sources of help, and funeral arrangements are also discussed in revealing detail. (If someone is cremated, what actually is left over may come as a shock.) Carroll removes much of the fear of the unknown, and confronts the larger issues as well. This creditably fills a gap between home-care guidance and Kabler-Ross imponderables.

Pub Date: April 1, 1985

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1985

Categories: NONFICTION