Ms. Eclectic tells us that interventions by her sister (a nurse) and support from the rest of us played an important role in her (comparatively) speedy recovery from surgery and cancer more than two decades ago. We have been fortunate since then, but we have ordered this book, The Essential Hospital Handbook: How to Be an Effective Partner in a Loved One's Care, just in case. Here is a brief description from the CBC:
Conlon, a journalist and [the] author who, indeed, became an active participant in [his partner,] Jim's eventually successful treatment, has used the experience to help people who might find themselves in the same situation he did.
His book, The Essential Hospital Handbook: How to Be an Effective Partner in a Loved One's Care, is a straightforward approach to handling a health-care crisis, a time when many people's common sense battles fears for their loved one's life.
The book offers a comprehensive look at emergency rooms, surgery, recovery and the hospice as it takes readers on a tour of the hospital.
Such things as living wills, drugs, hospital equipment and even slang are examined to give a well-rounded picture of what people might encounter.
While directed at caregivers and families, the book is just as helpful for patients.