Life on Hold : Finding Hope in the Face of Serious Illness

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Summary: Life on Hold: A Tremendous Reference Book
Review: Life on Hold is about coping with serious illness. "Such an honest book," I thought, as I began reading. As a friend of one of the authors, Laurel Seiler Brunvoll, I was given a copy of this book, but I did not read it right away. I was afraid of reading about the suffering of my friend. I was prompted to start reading the book because I thought it may be an appropriate gift for someone who had just been diagnosed with cancer. I was right. Life on Hold has the potential to help so many people. It shares feelings of the patient and family members. Written from a Christian perspective, there are many inspirational Bible verses including a list by topic of Bible verses and Hymns. There are discussions about God and how He figures into these difficult situations. This book is appropriate for those who already believe in God or those who are seeking to know God. What makes it appropriate for all people is the many wonderful lists of what to do or not to do, whether you are a family member, friend or even the patient. Have you ever wondered how to act or what not to say when visiting someone in the hospital who is seriously ill? I have. This book has answers. Have you ever wondered what you could do to help a family coping with serious illness? Besides the usual make-a-meal idea, this book offers unique ideas like offering to help file medical bills and insurance claims. What a tremendous gift and burden lifted that could be for a distracted family! I would recommend this book to anyone. Life on Hold is written from the heart and has so many uplifting and helpful tips to ease a difficult and stressful time.

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Summary: A Christian's response toward death
Review: My husband and I put our lives on HOLD for his Mother and have never regretted a moment of the sacrifice we made. I heard about this book on a Christian radio station and promptly ordered it from Amazon. My husband and I read it this past weekend and then I mailed it to the daughter of our dear friend who is facing death eminently. The daughter, 30, has a new baby and has only been married for two years and is an only child. We do our best to encourage her that she is where God wants her to be in caring for her Mother, as this book reinforces. It is too late for her Mother, the patient, to read it but it would be helpful for patients early in their illness. The advice the authors give is scripturely backed and encourages the believer who knows their only HOPE is in Jesus, who has gone to prepare a Place for them. I found the book to be profoundly honest. The book can serve as a good reference tool for families who have never faced such difficult days.

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Summary: great advice from the heart
Review: This book is a great example of someone using the difficult things they have gone through in life to help others going through the same things. After learning from the death of their wife/mother, Seiler and Brunvoll have a wealth of helpful information to share with anyone facing the death of a loved one. This book is also very useful for people who have friends or family that are in the above situation. Though this book is written froma Christian perspective, it will have tremendous impact for Christians and non-Christians alike.

Rating:
Summary: great advice from the heart
Review: This book was an incredible encouragement as I faced losing my father to brain cancer and a vital part of my healing process after he died. I loved the practical advice of how to help family and friends support the person going through the illness. The journal entries were a huge encouragement and really helped to give insights into what a person struggles with as they face death. The information on hospice care was right on! I only wish someone had told me about this book months sooner. A must read for anyone facing terminal cancer or for anyone providing care and support for a loved one.

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Summary: What a blessing!
Review: This book was an incredible encouragement as I faced losing my father to brain cancer and a vital part of my healing process after he died. I loved the practical advice of how to help family and friends support the person going through the illness. The journal entries were a huge encouragement and really helped to give insights into what a person struggles with as they face death. The information on hospice care was right on! I only wish someone had told me about this book months sooner. A must read for anyone facing terminal cancer or for anyone providing care and support for a loved one.