“I was standing beside my mother when her doctor spoke the words.”

“In the car while driving back, I reached out and held my mother’s hand. There was a surreal calm and silence. What do you say?”

“…. and he told me “the time is coming very soon.”  I said “I know.”

“This was one of those “biggies” which I had not anticipated or foreseen.”

“All I wanted was to know about someone’s, anyone’s, personal experiences during this enormously sad time, someone like you and me.”

“And so there I stood in silence, amongst the torn pieces of my happy bubble that had burst.”

“Oh what a sight to behold that day was, and perhaps it actually marked the total openness and levity that would continue throughout the duration. To be able to find some humour in amongst the misery was truly monumental.”

“Laughter with a loved one, no matter what age or state of health, is pure magic for the soul.”

“Being in a supportive role made this particular period of time even more difficult for me. I felt I was in a state of perpetual limbo while awaiting my parents go-ahead for anything or everything to commence, whatever that would ultimately entail.”

“My sister and I took our parents to Mom’s first appointment with her palliative care doctor. What a wonderful, caring and compassionate man! We learned….”

“It was a pivotal day. My lingering questions of what homecare for the terminally ill really entailed were answered, and this in itself was inspiring as it lifted some of my trepidation.”

“This was another reminder to never ever underestimate yourself and to realize that somehow you truly can handle what may lay ahead.”

“I never allowed the understanding to get “lost” in the hectic and emotional pace of that time that my loved ones were the ones dying and that they did not want to die. This little bit of perspective went a long way.”

“Be strong, be patient, be loving and compassionate, but most importantly, be the best you.”

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“If Only, but for one more moment…”

Whether or not you will ultimately participate in family caregiving, or whether your loved one will have palliative care (term used for end of life care and for those with a life threatening illness) in the home, retirement residence or long term care facility, this book is a touching and invaluable read for all. It will bring comfort and help prepare families for the emotional process to come.

It is a purposely kept condensed book so as to be a quicker informative read. And it is written in such a way that it is like sitting down for a coffee with a friend to ask for their guidance and insight as to what to do and what may come for your loved one, and being immersed while hearing about their personal story with their terminally ill loved ones.

Some will read my book as resource material for guidance and comfort while hearing about one woman’s journey helping to care for her terminally ill loved ones. Some will read it for comfort in their grieving stage. And yet others will read my book as they have elderly loved ones in long term care. Or as a short novel for a heartfelt journey of love.

If you or someone you know is dealing with a loved ones terminal diagnosis and are looking for a book about someone’s personal account with words that will help, encourage, and inform on a multitude of issues on what may lay ahead, and services available, this is a book you will want to read!

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**Please see “What is Palliative Care?” and “Home Page” under the Resources heading.

** Book Synopsis for the Media under Resources heading.

**TO BUY “If Only, but for one more moment…” click on the applicable spot on the left sidebar.

Library and Archives Canada (Cataloguing in Publication)                                          http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/ourl/res.php?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&url_tim=2012-02-27T14%3A23%3A45Z&url_ctx_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=39441889&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fcollectionscanada.gc.ca%3Aamicus&lang=eng

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I envision my website evolving over time to be a resource area if you will, for people just learning of a loved ones terminal illness. I invite everyone to share what services were available to their loved ones within their own communities on my Message Board. We can help each other enormously with the sharing of this crucial information.

 **Please note:  Thank you kindly for all of the comments and support that I have received! My Message Board is intended as a resource posting for those who would like to share what help and services are available for their terminally ill loved ones in their communities. And for those who would like to leave comments about my book.  Thank you.

What is Palliative Care?

Please see Government of Canada’s “Palliative Care Info Sheet”,  and other info, under Resources tab at the top of this page.

BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE IN EBOOK FORMAT with Apple Inc. for iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Link:     http://itunes.apple.com/ca/book//id479817299?mt=11

BOOK ALSO AVAILABLE at:  Books & Company (signed copy):  289 Main St. Picton, Ontario, and online at:   essencebookstore.com; amazon.ca; amazon.com; chapters.indigo.ca;  and it is at the Oshawa Public Library

**Please note: Signed copies can only be sent out when they are purchased directly from my website through paypal, cheque or money order, unless special arrangements have been made with me via email.

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