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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Get a 'Tude", April 16, 2009
This review is from: The Power of Two: Surviving Serious Illness with an Attitude and an Advocate (Hardcover)
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When you are informed of an illness, you can either prepare to suffer or prepare to heal. The journey taken by Brian & Gerri Monaghan is an outstanding example of two people who banned together and prepared for a healing. Their journey was obviously not without great struggle, but they were able to reach the outcome that they had created in their minds as the journey began. In reading the synopsis for this book, I was immediately interested in the involvement of the "advocate" in the telling of this inspiring story. I have an ill family member and I am what would be considered her advocate. Gerri lays out plenty of tips for effective advocating, some of which are common sense, but some of which have given me a great sense of direction and even a sense of power in directing the course the disease will take in my loved one. The personalities of these two individuals melded in a way that left Brian's brain tumors and cancer very little chance of "defeating" him. Their attitudes overcame a seemingly hopeless situation and I was inspired by the results of the love and care that they have for one another. This book has been an invaluable tool in the advocacy that I provide for my loved one and I would strongly recommend it. I do not necessarily share all of their beliefs, but that is of very little consequence, as the power and weight of the story will benefit greatly anyone who chooses to read it.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Some Good Common Sense Information Here, March 28, 2009
This review is from: The Power of Two: Surviving Serious Illness with an Attitude and an Advocate (Hardcover)
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The Power of Two by Brian and Gerri Monaghan has some very good information for anyone who may be going through a serious illness with a family member. The patient advocate tips are invaluable. Brian fell ill with cancer and his wife Gerri stood by his side as his advocate making sure his treatment and recovery were handled properly. The book is interesting and easy to read, and the authors come across as very likeable people, and his outcome is one of success. My problem with the book is this--and I am quoting from the INTRODUCTION. "It's an unfortunate reality that too few have the financial capablity to seek medical help where their research leads them, BUT I DID (emphasis mine). Not everyone has the ability to stay at home and rest without the fear of losing his or her job.... I DID. Not many people have been able to reap the benefits of access to an emerging vaccine therapy simply because they knew one person who knew another person who knew someone else who was the person developing that very vaccine. BUT I DID." So Mr. Monaghan has the financial ability to research leads, the finances to stay at home and recooperate, and knew people who knew people that got him the experimental vaccine. And I am happy that he was able to do these things. But--that is not the common man's story, that is not the rest of us. While I am happy that the Monaghans had a successful journey and I take nothing away from his suffering throughout the ordeal, most of us cannot do what he and his wife did. So to even hint that he survived because of good advocacy, and good humor and the support of family and friends is a little bit of a lop-sided story. I'm not sure the bulk of us would have survived this battle. For the most part we must work, we must take the treatments offered to us because we have no choices in this matter. The book does have helpful tips and information for advocating for your loved ones during these kinds of crises but outside of that, I can't relate to his circumstances. If you are looking for information on how to advocate for your ill loved one, this is a great resource.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Been There, Done That; Advocacy Works!, May 7, 2009
This review is from: The Power of Two: Surviving Serious Illness with an Attitude and an Advocate (Hardcover)
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When my husband had a massive brain hemorrhage followed by brain surgery, we had just moved hundreds of miles from family and friends. As we searched for a business to purchase, we worked part-time temp jobs and had no insurance. Another reviewer felt that "The Power of Two" may not be helpful to readers who lack the resources and support system of the Monaghan's, but our experience demonstrated that the type of advocacy outlined in this book can have dramatic results in any situation. Patients, no matter what their previous station in life or financial level, become instantly vulnerable and unable to responsibly advocate on their own behalf. Advocacy may not get the patient the same level of care Brian Monaghan got, but it will vastly improve the care at any level because health care providers will be aware they are being closely scrutinized, and they are expected to give the best possible treatment available to that patient. To quote another reviewer, our current health care system is driven by "cost effectiveness" rather than adequate patient care. In that climate, mistakes are often made and patients do not receive medications or treatments that would elevate their quality of life. I found, as did Gerri Monaghan, that constant vigilance is a necessity. Gerri used the internet, social networking, and gut instinct to lead her to the best possible treatments. Gerri and Brian acted as a team, making decisions together, which allowed Brian to retain his dignity and personal power. This is essential, since the health care system quickly strips the patient of any power they may have felt before their health emergency. My husband has recovered beautifully from an event the doctor's said he had a 5% chance of even surviving. We both feel that intense and unrelenting advocacy were the key to his recovery. We agree that "The Power of Two" is a must read not only for those who are dealing with an illness, but for anyone who uses the medical system. Lee & Steven Hager are the authors of Quantum Prodigal Son: Revisiting Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son from the Perspective of Quantum Mechanics
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