基本説明
Considers how to listen and speak with someone facing a life-threatening illness.
Full Description
Every day, thousands of people receive a diagnosis of serious, life-threatening illness, and their families and friends suddenly become caregivers. Despite the best of intentions it is not always easy to communicate well under these circumstances, or find deep empathy for something one has never before experienced. When is it best to speak, and when to be silent? How can someone provide real comfort, and how can relationships with loved ones facing serious illness beenhanced in this most difficult time? This book is about how to be an encouraging caregiver and friend under the most difficult circumstances, when the possibility of death is all too real. The authors believe that open dialogue must not be avoided until the last minute when opportunities will be limited, but that caregivers and loved ones can embrace this time, mortal time, honestly as a way to sensitively and compassionately engage with those for whom a central fact of life is realized-that all of our lives are time-limited.In The Art of Conversation Through Serious Illness, the authors consider how to best listen to and speak with one facing life-threatening illness, with lessons on being a primary conversation partner, becoming properly empathic and receiving empathy, maintaining everyday conversation, using platitudes appropriately, understanding healthy denial, and talking about dying. Offering bedside guidance usually only available to professionals and peppered with insightful anecdotes from theauthors' own experiences, this gentle, succinct book is appropriate for anyone going through this uniquely difficult yet universal life experience.
Contents
AcknowledgmentsPrologueIntroductionPart I. The Many Meanings of Mortal TimeMortal Time: How Long Does it Last?The Multiple Meanings of Mortal TimeShattered Assumptions Creating Meaning Coping StylesWhat to Expect in Mortal Time The Challenge and the Invitation of Mortal TimeA Question of BalanceThe Prospect of DespairFinding Meaning Living in Mortal TimeSources of HopeNevertheless, There Is MeaningPart II. Hope from ConversationHope for the DayAvoiding Gloom False HopeConversationHealing Conversation: Basic ElementsTalking In and About Mortal TimeConversation PartnersEmpathyBecoming Properly EmpatheticReceiving EmpathyHonesty: What Can I Say?The Right WordsAcknowledging FearEveryday Conversation with FriendsPlatitudes: Let's Hope for the Best and Prepare for the WorstYou first! The Humane use of Words: Effective Phrases in Mortal TimeHow Much Time Do I Have?Appreciating Everyday ChatterDenial?Healthy Conversation about DyingPractical Conversation Part III. For Those Left Behind Being a Companion in Mortal TimeKind CompanionsThe Costs and Risks of CompanionshipThe Nine Personal Virtues Most Needed in Mortal TimeConsideration and Disciplined Spontaneity Censored Conversation vs. Active Listening Closing: A Word to CaregiversResilience and Absorbing SufferingEmpathy ShiftSharingMendingThe Art of Conversation through Serious IllnessNotesBibliographyIndex
