Living Better : Every Patient's Guide to Living with Illness [Paperback]

Carol J. Langenfeld (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0970154518 | ISBN-13: 978-0970154514 | Edition: 1

This book is written by patient's, from a patient's perspective, combing how to with how it feels, to help patients, families, and friends learn how to live with illness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...book to have nearby when you need inspiration, direction, or simply the comfort of knowing that you are not alone. -- Ellen M. Caruso, author of Keeping Them Healthy, Keeping Them Home

A much needed book for patients. I found it gentle, empathic, and concise. -- Peg Baim, R.N., M.S., C.S., Associate in Medicine, Harvard Medical School: Clinical Director, Center for Training, Mind/Body Medical Institute

Practical, encouraging advice. Becoming proactive, accepting that self-care is not selfish, and rediscovering purpose are part of their essential regimen. -- Bloomsbury Review

This is a marvelous book for all who suffer with illness and aspire to find meaning and healing. -- William B. Salt II, M.D., author of Irritable Bowel Syndrome & The Mind Body Brain-Gut Connection

From the Publisher

Patient Press chose to publish this book because we believe it will help readers living with life-changing illness to “live better” even when their bodies can’t get well! Our mission is to inform, equip, and empower patients to live full and meaningful lives. We believe that people living with life-changing illness can become empowered to make choices and live meaningful lives in the midst of their illness. Our continuing goal in all that we do is to provide high quality, accessible resources to equip people living with illness to be informed and thus empowered to be in control of their health care and their lives.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Patient Press; 1 edition (January 5, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970154518
• ISBN-13: 978-0970154514
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,307,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartful Self-help, April 2, 2001

By 

Pauline Salvucci (Cape Elizabeth, Maine United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Better : Every Patient's Guide to Living with Illness (Paperback)

When Norman Cousins wrote, "The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life. It provides human beings with a sense of destination and the energy to get started," he offered us motivation to meet our challenges head-on. The Langenfelds do the same. With clarity, compassion, professionalism and a rich understanding born of personal experience, this husband and wife team examines the process of coming to terms with disease and chronic illness. Together, the authors help the reader to not only define their experience of illness, but also explore the complex interface with their physician, treatment options and the larger medical system. Their practical heads up and informational approach is laced with gentle humor as well as their own experiences which serve to reassure the reader that he or she is not alone. The artful examination of the mind body connection offers a framework to understand this dynamic relationship. These chapters serve as an invitation to segway into the interior journey of discovering how to live with chronic illness and create meaning and purpose in one's life.

Living Better is written for people coping with illness, but its value extends to family caregivers, and beyond that, to those for whom life long self-care is a priority.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Book When Facing an Illness, March 7, 2002

By 

June (Troy, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Better : Every Patient's Guide to Living with Illness (Paperback)

Living Better is a comprehensive book that explores all aspects of coping with an illness from the practical (dealing with hospitals, tests, finances) to the spiritual (finding a purpose, nurturing yourself). The authors own experiences with illness make this book a valuable companion to anyone who is trying to cope and live fully in spite of an illness.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Patient and Non-patient Reference, October 13, 2000

By 

Cristy R Jones (Orange, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Better : Every Patient's Guide to Living with Illness (Paperback)

Although I have never personally experienced any life-threatening illness, many of my close family members have. This book has proved to be an outstanding resouce, not only for managing the medical issues, but also for managing the confusing emotions that accompany severe illnesses whether they are experienced by you directly or experienced by someone you love. An outstanding reference manual for any family dealing with extreme illness.