The Power of Two: Surviving Serious Illness with an Attitude & an Advocate

The Power of Two: Surviving Serious Illness with an Attitude & an Advocate

By Brian & Gerri Monaghan

This is an incredible book for anyone facing a serious illness/medical challenge (theirs was cancer) AND for the partner of that person. It combines an inspiring story of hope, courage, and survival with a compelling practical blueprint for how to be an advocate and make critical difference in the patient's life. It is a book that helps you understand the power of a patient and the power of his or her advocate.

Written by both the cancer patient, husband Brian Monahan, and his wife, Gerri Monaghan, who served as his advocate through all his diagnosis and treatment, the book's style is refreshing and reflects their love and how they used their genuine "partnership" to maneuver through one of life's most difficult and stressful situations.

This book is loaded, I mean loaded, with the best practical advice about making it through a challenging illness with the attitude and skills you need to make it so. Chapters and sections include: Get an Advocate, Revel in Laughter and the Love of Friends, Push the Envelope, Take Care of the Home Front, Keep on Fighting, Expect the Unexpected, Recognize the Gifts You've Been Given. Additionally, The Monaghan Manual, appendixes of useful information and resources, along with 50 Ways to Help a Loved One woven throughout the book are, on their own, priceless advice.

A personal note from Fairy Godmother:

First, I wholeheartedly agree with this ringing endorsement from Dr. Richard Murphy of the Salk Institute, "An interesting, different, upbeat, and funny book about dealing with a terrible disease. The lessons - taking charge of one's care, questioning authority, making hard decisions yourself rather than relying on others, the need for advocates, and keeping your sense of humor - are universal. The writing is first rate."

Secondly, my husband and I have personally been on this serious illness journey and the guidance in this book profoundly helped me, as the advocate of my loved one, do a better job for him and contributed greatly to experiencing more blessings - in a very difficult time - than we could have ever imagined.