The Other Patient

Kenny Markanich

Description

The stories included come from patients and their caregivers from The Oasis Of Hope while they are treating patients for a variety of different kinds of cancer.  Care for others is not limited to just cancer, but the care provided from these caregivers were written from those circumstances.  Many of their stories can certainly be used easily for instances of caregiving situations of patients suffering from other diseases.
If you have ever heard the words, “You have cancer” then you know what it is like to walk down a path you never wanted to travel.
Such a journey can seem overwhelming, and there are seemingly never-ending twists and turns along the way, some of which may lead to experimental or new treatments.
This book, however, is not about all that – rather, it focuses on the caregiver, or “the other patient.”
The author, who has battled cancer himself, recalls the challenges of caring for his wife, who was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer.
The couple’s children did not think their dad would deal with it well, as caregiving was not in his wheelhouse. He was the one who planned vacations, went to sporting events and enjoyed having fun, but suddenly he found himself in a new role … and it was hard.
The stories he highlights don’t only come from his own experiences, but also highlight what other patients and their caregivers at The Oasis of Hope Hospital have experienced.
Whether you’re a patient, nurse, or caregiver, you’ll be inspired to overcome challenges and face the future – no matter what it brings – with the wisdom in The Other Patient.

Sujets

• Santé et bien-être
• Développement personnel
• développement personnel
• Self-help
• Inspirational
• Motivational

Informations

• Publié par: Balboa Press
• Date de parution: 22 mai 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9798765241332
• Langue: English

Extrait

There is such a thing as an “unsung hero”. Those that do remarkable things that receive no credit, no applause, little attention. But without them, life would be a lot different. For cancer patients, that hero is their caregiver. They’re through thick and thin, to make sure everything goes as well as it can. Kenny Markanich is a good man and has created this book to honor those that look after a loved one fighting for their lives. The Other Patient is a wonderful way to shed light on those that also go through cancer without actually havin g it.
Scott Hami lton
1984 Olympic Gold medal wi nner
United States Olympic Hall of Fame
World Figure Skating Hall of Fame
Philanthropist, Mentor, Coach, Author, Humanita rian,
Nashvillian of the Year 2020, Cancer survivor, Fr iend
 
“Kenny’s heart comes through in his sharing of what it means to be “The Other Patient.” I can’t overemphasize the value of attuning with and validating the experiences that so many face. Heart to heart, it’s a great read.”
Mark Han cock
CEO Trail Life USA
 
“The Oasis of Hope holistic cancer treatment model recognizes caregivers as essential to the healing process. We ask each patient to bring a companion to learn about the treatments, home care, and nutrition to better support the patient back at home. But who is caring for the caregiver? We promote self-care, and when possible, we provide caregiver sessions and outings to help recharge them physically and emotionally. All caregivers need to read ‘The Other Patient’ to learn how to rech arge.”
Dr. Francisco Contr eras
Oncologist & General Director, Oasis of Hope Hosp ital
 
“Caregivers are compelled to meet the needs of their loved ones while neglecting their own needs. Some caregivers believe they are unworthy of self-care while their patient suffers. ‘The Other Patient’ will help caregivers overcome such thinking and teach how to balance caring for a loved one without neglecting one self.”
Daniel E. Ken nedy
MC, CEO & Director of Counseling, Oasis of Hope Hosp ital
 
Ken and Jen have been an inspiration for me and for all of us who are faced with adversities and setbacks, in that we can learn that getting somewhere in life is not accomplished by going around setbacks, but by going through them! We become stronger not despite our setbacks, but because of them!
Dr. Ming Wang
Harvard & MIT (MD); PhD, Director, Wang Vision Institute, Nashville , TN
 
What if every caregiver shifted their perspective from ‘I have to do this’ to ‘I get to do this’? And what if everyone lived a life of no regrets? In this deeply personal book for caregivers and patients, Kenny Markanich shares personal reflections and experiences unique to caregiving. Discover the journey, and yes, gift, that caregiving could become for all those involved in the experi ence.
Wayne E lsey
Founder & CEO, Elsey Enterpr ises
The Other Patient
 
 
 
 
KENNY MARKANICH
 
 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2023 Kenny Markanich.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
Balboa Press
A Division of Hay House
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.balboapress.com
844-682-1282
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
ISBN: 979-8-7652-4132-5 (sc)
ISBN: 979-8-7652-4134-9 (hc)
ISBN: 979-8-7652-4133-2 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023907512
 
Balboa Press rev. date: 06/19/2023
Contents
Inspiration to Write the Book
Foreword
Preface
1What about You? It’s All about You
2Who’s on First, What’s on Second, and How Do You Make Sense of It?
3Sounds of Silence
4Make It a Spa Day
5One Day at a Time
6Do You Hear What I Hear?
7Lean on Me
8The Never-Ending Story—That Still Needs to Be Told
9It’s My Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To
10Faith: That’s the Power of God
11Food, Glorious Food
12Try It, You’ll Like It
13Searching for Treasure … and Truth
14All in the Family
15It Takes a Community
16You Get by with a Little Help from Your Friends
17No Regrets: A Common Thread
18They Call Me Mr. Tibbs
19Fundraising: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
20Starting All Over Again Is Going to Be Rough, but We’re Going to Make It
21When The Tax Man Cometh
Further Information
Inspiration to Write the Book
While at The Oasis of Hope Hospital for the first three-week stay of my wife’s cancer treatments, I began a journal to write out my personal experiences and my observations of what was taking place around me. After a few weeks of writing, titles started to form, and chapters began to develop. This continued after my wife and I went home, and during our next visit to Oasis for treatment, I sat down with Dr. Contreras, director, president, and chairman of the hospital, and told him that I believed I was developing a book that might be beneficial to others who found themselves in a similar situation. The people at Oasis knew of no other book about caregiving stories of this nature, and they thought it was a wonderful idea.
During a follow-up meeting with Dr. Ceceña, he made mention of the fact that Oasis of Hope needed to provide care to two patients: (1) the cancer patient and (2) the other patient, that being the caregiver. It was clear to them that both needed guidance and healing. At that moment, the title The Other Patient was born.
Foreword
From a Cancer Patient’s Perspective
“You have stage-4 non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Mr. Spil chuk.”
I heard these words in 2009. After I caught my breath the doctor implied that I should ‘get my affairs in order’. After taking a moment to ponder and digest what he implied, I responded with, “I haven’t had any affairs!” The somewhat surprised and stoic-face doctor locked eyes with me and uttered, “That’s not funny. This is serious, Mr. Spilchuk!” Truthfully, I still thought my declaration was humorous and I’m pretty sure that the attending Nurse managed a slight smile when she heard my fun-filled confession. At the start of my five-week in-patient stay in the cancer ward I prayed for three things:
First - I prayed for healing.
Second - I prayed for my family to be able to deal with any and all stresses and anxieties that are obviously placed on them when their loved one hears those devastating words, ‘You’ve got cancer!’
Third - I prayed for a way to cope and deal with my own fears and stay in honest communication with my Nurses.
Prayer number one was for me. Prayer two and three were for the people who were watching over me - the caregivers - AKA - the Other Patients. Laying in my hospital bed I had time to think about each and every one of my family members and each one of the 16 different Nurses that anointed me with unconditional love and support for 36 days.
The very first night I had the thought, ’They are caring for me - who is caring for them? Who cares for the Caregivers?’ I felt such compassion for these Angels of the Infirmary. Every night I witnessed them tenderly and lovingly deal with each patient’s fears and anxieties while they tried to manage their own stresses and overwhelm. I said another prayer, “Heavenly Father, how can I make it easier on my Caregivers? How can I lighten their load?” An instantaneous answer came in five simple words: Be yourself - make them smile.
To that I said, “Thank You, Jesus!” All that happened in 2009. To this day I still stop by the hospital from time-to-time to thank my Nurses. The Doctors helped me heal. The Nurses saved my life. God made it all possible. If you want to know one way to care for the Caregivers in your life - AKA the Other Patients - I’ll pass on the same Heavenly wisdom I received: Be yourself - Lighten their load.
Another important piece of advice I can share is - pour over every page of this heartfelt book and follow the kindness and wisdom supplied by Kenny Markanich. Then you can imagine the smiles and the heartfelt hugs you’ll receive from The Other Patients in your life.
I wish you love, joy and optimum health.
Barry Spilchuk - Author - THE cANCER DANCE
Founder - www.IamAsurvivorClub .com
Co-author – A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Preface
Let me begin by saying what this book is not about. Those of us who have heard the words, “You have cancer,” have all had unique personal stories that engulfed us and our families and took us t