A holistic view of the factors that impact the health of a patient beyond the illness itself, this book examines what it is like to be a patient. It espouses the view that terminal illness may not be a tragedy but, an opportunity for emotional growth. The inadequacies of medical care today are discussed, from the failure of health care professionals to see the person with the disease, to the many ways in which managed-care organizations jeopardize the doctor/patient relationship.

The work reviews concrete ways in which health care professionals can enhance the quality of their care, by remaining compassionate, continuing to offer patients hope (even if their condition is terminal), acknowledging and addressing patients' suffering, and counseling patients so that they can obtain the support needed. A new advocacy role for doctors is presented that enables patients to make advised decisions about their own treatment. This book encourages patients to take back their lives from the diseases that overwhelm them. It also discusses advance directives, living wills, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and do not resuscitate orders. Information is provided to help patients assume self advocacy on end-of-life issues from an emotional perspective as well as a legal perspective.