the fight of our life - catherine hawley and patient advocacy
TRANSCRIPT
What You Don’t Know
Can Hurt You
01
A True Story of Crisis, Hope and Love
Bill underwent surgery on January 20th to remove a mass of tissue in his frontal lobe.
He was discharged on February 4th, walking, talking and teasing me that I would have to look after all the cooking for a while.
On February 13th I woke up to find Bill breathing but unconscious.An hour later were in an ambulance, on our way back to Kingston General
We returned home on February 17th, but a week later, the crisis reoccurred.
After a number of incidents, and just a month after Bill had been readmitted, the doctor told me,
“He has some cognitive issues and is unlikely to benefit from rehabilitation. We believe Bill’s circumstances require institutional care. We don’t think he is safe to return home.”
I interrupted whatever was coming next. “My husband is fifty-six years old. There is not a chance in hell I am going to let you dump him into an institution!”
“The Fight of Our Life” is the story of Catherine and Bill’s struggles battling our health care system for appropriate medical care and rehabilitation.
It is both a sobering 'patient beware' tale and a soaring love story; a dramatic and engaging read with clear warnings of how readers should prepare for medical struggles ahead.
"The Fight of Our Life is an excellent book, an important book. One that anyone with health issues should read. Or anyone with a loved one with health issues should read. The main thrust of this book is that everyone needs an advocate with them when they get involved in the health care system. We all need a champion to keep a watchful eye, to ask questions, to speak for us when we cannot."Ray Herbert
“While reading ‘The Fight of Our Life’ I felt a roller coaster of emotions, from anger to amazement, shock to pure joy, appreciation to alarm….There are joyful, laugh out-loud moments, and a beautiful love story within.
This book raises awareness of the inadequacies and "mishaps" of medical systems in general and how they can fail us.
The author, Catherine Hawley, also shows how vital it is to be or have your own advocate to ensure adequate care. Great lessons in the Appendix to assist any and all of us.” Stephanie Williams
“A wonderful read. The Fight of Our Life is a real eye opener to our health care system as well as a true life love story. I highly recommend this book!”
Tammy
For more information, please go to:http://www.thefightofourlife.ca
Catherine is available for speaking engagements for interested groups in the GTA and Eastern Ontario. You can contact her at [email protected]
Catherine is currently working on a follow-up book that provides additional information about “adverse events” in the health care system and that recommends many simple but necessary strategies for being pro-active in achieving the best possible outcomes for anyone dealing with the health care system.
