Review
A woman faces death with all of the love and passion that had filled her life. Diane Manahan was known to her family and many friends as strong, energetic, irreverent, generous and loving. Here, Diane's sister-in-law and her partner share how Diane chose to live out her remaining time and how she chose to die. She had been a nurse and a teacher throughout her adult life, and when she learned that the breast cancer that had been in remission for a few years had returned and metastasized, she gave up neither of those vocations. Instead, she incorporated her experiences of treatment and pain into her teaching in order to help her students become better nurses. With her physician husband, she also explored and incorporated alternative therapies into her treatment.
When it became clear that her death was imminent, she began to make detailed plans for her life celebration and for the handling of her remains. Manahan (On My Honor, 1998) and Bohan present this book not only as a testament to Diane, but also as a preservation of her legacy of good works, and to share the resources that she and her family drew on during the last months of her life.
Through Diane's journal, letters, photographs and family and friends memories of her, the authors create a vivid portrait of this extraordinary woman, and offer necessary guidance to those living with cancer and their loved ones, about how to continue living, and, if and when the time comes, dying, according to their values.
A wealth of knowledge, strength and comfort. --Kirkus Discoveries
Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully is a compelling and intimate story of a woman and her family's journey with cancer and beyond. Diane Manahan, a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and nursing professor extraordinaire, maintained a journal following her diagnosis with breast cancer in 1995. In writing about her decision to be open throughout the journey of living and dying, Diane voiced her hope that by being authentic, honest and non-perfect, she might enable others to be vulnerable and to deal with life's gifts and uncertainties. The book, authored by Diane's sister-in-law Nancy Manahan and partner Becky Bohan, includes writing and poetry by Diane and reflections and observations by a rich and diverse circle of friends and family that surrounded Diane and her holistic physician Bill Manahan over the 5 ½ years that Diane lived following her diagnosis with breast cancer.
While Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully is an invaluable resource book for lay people facing a serious illness and death, it is also an important resource for health professionals. It provides a different view of death and dying, one that few health professionals have experienced. Patients and family member looks to nurses, physicians and other health professionals for information and advice. This book provides accessible wisdom and guidance that demonstrates beyond a doubt that both life and death provide an opportunity to radiate grace, dignity and beauty. --Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing
Living Consciously Dying Gracefully: A Journey With Cancer and Beyond is a memoir reminiscing about and paying tribute to nursing professor Diane Manahan, a courageous, warm and loving woman. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she chose to blend complementary therapies and orthodox cancer treatments, and she lived a full and vibrant life for five and a half years until her death. Written by Nancy Manahan and Becky Bohan, life-partners who were both graced to know Diane, Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully isn't just about illness and death, but also life and spirituality. A heart-touching journey, and uplifting inspirational resource for anyone going through life-or-death trials or witnessing such challenges visited upon a loved one. --The Midwest Book Review
About the Author
Nancy Manahan, Ph.D., is a community college English, women's studies, and film studies teacher, now retired. Her writing has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. Her books include
Lesbian Nuns: Breaking Silence, a groundbreaking anthology published in eight languages, and
On My Honor: Lesbians Reflect on Their Scouting Experience.
Becky Bohan earned her M.A. in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the retired Vice-President of Knowledge Design and Delivery, Inc., a training consulting company. She has published a suspense novel, Sinister Paradise, and a mystery, Fertile Betrayal.
Nancy and Becky grew up in Madelia, Minnesota, Diane Manahan's hometown. Both received their undergraduate degrees in English from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. They make their home in Minneapolis.
