,,*APT] ,,?REE
    ,,H[ ,,6,,BE ,A ,,GD ,,PATI5T--
     ,,H[ ,,6,,BE ,A ,,GD ,,C>EGIV]

,9 ! PREVI\S *APT]1 ,I DESCRIBE "S ( MY
EXP]I;ES Z A BL C>EGIV]4 ,9 ? *APT]1 ,I
W DESCRIBE MY EXP]I;ES Z A PATI5T4 ,I H
_H FIVE SURG]IES3 ?REE EYE SURG]IES &
TWO BACK SURG]IES4 ,MY LA/ BACK SURG]Y 0
S]I\S 5 6H NECESSITAT$ A /AY 9 ,9T5SIVE
,C>E4 ,I C1 "!=E1 SP1K ) "S AU?OR;Y ON !
DI6];ES T "S"TS EXI/ 2T ! 9T]E/S (!
C>EGIV] V]SUS ! TRUE NE$S (! PATI5T4
,MO/ ( Y :O >E R1D+ ? BOOK >E N GO+ 6G
6! TRA9+ (F]$ 6HOSPICE "W]S4 ,Y >E GO+
6G SIT )A FR =! EV5+1 OR 5D UP 9 A
SITU,N ": Y H 2COME ! C>EGIV] =A LOV$
"O4 ,! SU7ES;NS & -;TS 9 ? *APT] >E1
"!=E1 MO/LY -MONS5SE SU7ES;NS1 GE>$ 6FIT
! NE$S ( ^? \TSIDE ! H1L? C>E SY/EM4

,?+S ,ALL ,PATI5TS ,%D ,"K
  ,"H >E "S SU7ES;NS T W MAKE YR /AY 9 A
HOSPITAL G M SMOO?LY1 Z WELL Z SU7ES;NS
Z 6H[ 6BETT] MANAGE YR HOME C>E3

,D YR BE/ 6COOP]ATE ) ANY PO/SURGICAL
!RAPY 9DICAT$ 0! ,,ICU /AFF
  ,"! >E S"EAL BASIC ?+S Y H 6D 6PL1SE !
,9T5SIVE ,C>E /AFF 9 ORD] 6GET YR REW>D4
,C\< 7NO MATT] H[ M* X HURTS71 SAY YR "N
& :AT HOSPITAL Y >E IN1 & TURN YRF OR1 9
MY CASE1 ALL[ YRF 6BE TURN$4 ,I KNEW ,I
0 RE,Y SICK :5 ! /AFF TOLD ME N 6TRY
6TURN MYF OR D ANY?+ ELSE )\T ASK+4 ,I H
SE5 PATI5TS GET PNEUMONIA F N TURN+ OR
WALK+ 5\<1 & ,I 0 DET]M9$ N 6LET T
HAPP54 ,MY REW>D CAME 9 ! =M ( EXTRA
MORPH9E & N "O1 B TWO :OLE SPOON;LS (
ICE *IPS4 ,EV5 N[1 ,I REMEMB] H[ WOND];L
^? ICE *IPS TA/$4

,PATI5T-,P[]--ALL ( U H X2 FEW ( U "K H[
6USE X
  ,! ,9T5SIVE ,C>E W>D DOES N SEEM L !
PLACE 9 : PATI5TS C USE _! P[]1 B ,I
4COV]$ T AT L1/ 9 A LIMIT$ CAPAC;Y1 ,I
CD MANIPULATE ! SY/EM 6MY ADVANTAGE4
,:ILE ,I 0 9 ,9T5SIVE ,C>E1 ,I _H D"O
ALL ,I 0 TOLD--C\<$1 SD MY "N & ": ,I
WAS1 & ALL[$ MYF 6BE TURN$ ON MY "R SIDE
& !N MY BACK4 ,NEXT CAME ! DR1D$ B
9EVITA# ^WS1 8,AUNDREA1 H"OY2 ,I'M SORRY
B X'S "T = Y 6LIE ON YR LEFT SIDE =
A:ILE40 ,I 0 SORRY1 TOO4
  ,DISC SURG]Y 9 ! MI4LE "P (! BACK IS
D"O F ! SIDE (! BODY4 ,9 MY CASE1 S9CE
MICROSURG]Y 0 N POSSI#1 X 0 NEC
6COLLAPSE MY LEFT LUNG & MOVE X Z WELL Z
ALL ! RIBS ON MY LEFT SIDE \ (! WAY S !
SURGEON CD GET 6MY DISC4 ,S9CE1 Z X
TURN$ \1 "! 0 N 5 DISC LEFT 6BE REPAIR$1
TWO V]TEBRAE 9 ! MI4LE ( MY BACK _H 6BE
FUS$ TGR4 ,Z A RESULT1 ,I _H A *E/ TUBE
9 MY LEFT SIDE1 /IT*ES T RAN F MY WAI/
DIAGON,Y ALM 6MY %\LD] BLADE1 V SORE
RIBS : _H BE5 MOV$ & PUT BACK 9 PLACE1
&A V SORE PLACE 9 ! MI4LE ( MY BACK4 ,!
?"\ ( LY+ ON MY LEFT SIDE = FIVE M9UTES1
M* LESS ! REQUIR$ TWO H\RS1 0 N "S?+ ,I
WANT$ 63TEMPLATE4 ,I 0 TOLD LAT] T MO/
PATI5TS :O H _H ! TYPE ( SURG]Y ,I _H
SIMPLY REFUSE 6LIE ON T SIDE4
  ,I _H ANO!R PLAN T CAME 6ME VIA A
PICTURE 9 MY H1D SUPPLI$ 0MY GU>DIAN
ANGELS4 ,I KNEW T ,I 0 N GO+ 6LIE ON MY
LEFT SIDE ": ALL ! /IT*ES &! *E/ TUBE
W]E4 ,I 0 GO+ 6LIE PA/ T PO9T--ALM1 B N
Q ON MY /OMA*4 ,N[1 ALL ,I _H 6D 0
FIGURE \ H[ 6GET ! ,9T5SIVE ,C>E /AFF
6PUT ME 9 ! SAME POSI;N ,I SAW 9 MY H1D4
,IF Y >E A PATI5T & Y H 6BE MOV$ >.D
0O!RS1 Y W H M* M SU3ESS 9 GETT+ :AT Y
WANT IF Y C F/ PICTURE YR BODY 9 !
APPROPRIATE POSI;N1 & T 9CLUDES ": ALL !
PILL[S %D G4 ,?ANK;LLY1 ,I 0 LY+ ON A
8DRAW %EET0--AN EXTRA %EET T /AFF C USE
6PULL PATI5TS F "O SIDE (! B$ 6! O!R :5
NEC4
  ,I SUCK$ ON MY T;GUE 6MAKE SURE ,I CD
FEEL X1 & !N PRACTIC$ MOV+ X 0US+ X
6LICK MY DRY LIPS4 ,I !N 9/RUCT$ ! /AFF
9 "S:AT BLURRY S5T;ES 6D EXACTLY :AT ,I
SD4
  8,ROLL ME PA/ MY /IT*ES UNTIL ,I SAY
/OP4 ,N[ PULL ! DRAW %EET T[>D Y TILL ,I
AM ALM AT ! $GE (! B$4 ,N[ RAISE ! B$
RAILS 2H ME & PUT PILL[S 2T !M & ME40 ,I
0 AMAZ$ T !Y DID EXACTLY :AT ,I SD4 ,?
LEFT ME LY+ PA/ MY /IT*ES1 ALM B N Q ON
MY /OMA*4 ,I _H ! SUPPORT ( PILL[S &! B$
RAIL 2H ME 6KEEP ME F ROLL+ BACKW>DS4 ,!
/AFF AL A4$ PILL[S = ME 6HOLD ONTO 6KEEP
ME F ROLL+ -PLETELY OV] ONTO MY /OMA*1 :
WD H BE5 V PA9;L4 ,I _H ONLY "O ?+ LEFT
6D1 C\< 9 T POSI;N4 ,X 0 ! MO/ PA9;L ?+
,I H "E D"O4 ,I 0 M* RELIEV$ :5 !Y TURN$
ME ON MY BACK AN H\R LAT]1 & ,I 4COV]$ T
,I 0 / SW1T+ F ! PA94 ,X 0 AT T "T ,I
A3EPT$ MY REW>D--EXTRA ICE *IPS1 EXTRA
MORPH9E1 & EXTRA MUSCLE RELAX]4
  ,_H ,I N SE5 ! PICTURE 9 MY H1D & MADE
! EF=T 63VEY MY ?"\S 6! /AFF1 ,I %U4]
6?9K H[ ,I WD H 5D$ UP LY+4 ,DON'T
ASSUME ! /AFF "KS LL TRICKS S* Z H[ Y %D
2 LY+4 ,ESPECI,Y 9 L>GE C;Y HOSPITALS1
"! IS A HI< TURNOV] RATE AM;G /AFF4 ,AL1
Y MAY 2 9 ! C>E (A SUB/ITUTE NURSE :O
ISN'T FAMILI> )! AFC>E ( YR "PICUL>
PROC$URE4

,"S"TS X'S GD 6BE 8EASY0
  8,OH1 GD10 EXCLAIM$ "O ( MY FAVORITE
NURSES1 ,B>B>A1 8,I'M GLAD ,I GOT Y2
Y'RE EASY1 Y N"E NE$ ANY?+40
  ,:AT %E DIDN'T R1LIZE 0 T ,I NE$$ !
SAME ?+S ALL ! O!R BACK PATI5TS :O 7
3F9$ 6B$ NE$$2 ,I J ORGANIZ$ MY "T &!
/AFF "T 9 A M E6ICI5T MANN] ?AN D MO/
PATI5TS4 ,"S ( ? NATURAL T5D5CY -ES F
GR[+ UP Z A BL P]SON & F LIV+ 9 AN
9/ITU;N ": ,I _H 6MAKE MO/ ( MY [N MAJOR
DECI.NS4 ,:5 ,I 0 SIX1 ,I _H 6DECIDE E
MORN+ :AT ,I WD WE> 6S*OOL1 & :AT ,I WD
PLAY 9 AFW--A BIG DECI.N =A SIX-YE>-OLD4
,N[1 Z AN ADULT1 ,I H 6ORGANIZE MY
TRANSPORT,N 7EI US+ BUSES1 CABS1 OR PD
DRIV]S7 & ,I ?9K ,I 0 BORN ORGANIZ+ ! "T
( MY PD SI<T$ R1D]S4 ,IF Y >E A H\SEWIFE
R1D+ ? BOOK1 Y ALR "K A LOT AB S*$UL+
E6ICI5TLY4 ,Y S*$ULE YR [N "T Z WELL Z !
"T ( YR *N & HUSB&1 IF Y H "O4 ,WE ALL
S*$ULE O!R P'S "T4 ,! SAME PR9CIPLES /
APPLY :5 WE >E SICK4
  ,TRY 6LE>N H[ L;G X TAKES ! /AFF 6P]=M
C]TA9 TASKS4 ,I CD PUT MY BRACE ON1 GET
\ ( B$1 & WALK 6! BA?ROOM 0MYF4 ,B ,I CD
N CL1N MYF AFW 2C MY BRACE KEPT MY BACK
ABSOLUTELY /RAI<T1 & ,I CD N R1* !
APPROPRIATE BODY "PS4 ,"! 0 A CALL
BUTTON 9 ! BA?ROOM T ,I US$ ONCE :5 ,I
NE$$ CL1N+4 ,FIFTE5 M9UTES LAT] :5
"SBODY CAME1 ,I 0 S W1K F SITT+ UP L;G]
?AN ,I _H 9T5D$ T ,I 0 Q NAUS1T$ &
DIZZY4 ,AF T1 ,I LE>N$ 6USE ! CALL
BUTTON 0MY B$ 2F ,I 2GAN GETT+ \ ( X4 ,I
WD SAY1 8,I NE$ 6BE CL1N$2 ,I AM 9 !
BA?ROOM N[40 ,0! "T ,I GOT 96MY BRACE1
GOT \ ( B$1 & US$ ! BA?ROOM1 MY FIFTE5
M9UTES _H J AB 5D$ & AL;G WD -E A NURSE
)A WET WA%RAG 6CL1N ME4 ,! TIM+ 0 ALM
P]FECT4

8,:Y %D ,I H 6D ALL T80
  ,AF ALL1 ,I AM SICK1 ,I AM ! PATI5T1 &
X IS _! JOB 6TAKE C>E ( ME4 8,:AT IF ,I
C'T ?9K 6D ALL T ORGANIZ+80 ,T IS ! MA9
R1SON ,I WROTE ^! SU7ES;NS1 S Y C PLAN
AH1D4 ,"! C 2 ADVANTAGES 6US+ ! /AFF
E6ICI5TLY4 ,2C !Y ?"\ ,I N"E NE$$ ANY?+1
!Y WD (T5 /OP 06*AT DUR+ SL[ "TS4 ,WE
TALK$ AB M51 _! JOBS1 MY JOB ) ,*
,SUPPORT1 H[ 6PROP]LY FILL \ "W]'S
-P5S,N CLAIMS 9 "O CASE1 & ALL K9DS (
8FEMALE ?+S40 ,AL1 !Y KNEW T :5 ,I DID
USE ! CALL BUTTON1 ,I RE,Y NE$$ "S?+ T
,I CDN'T D MYF OR T MY VISITORS CDN'T D
= ME4 ,I AL US$ MY VISITORS 6P]=M
NONM$ICAL DUTIES S* Z TAKE ME = WALKS 9
! HALLS1 REFILL MY ICE PIT*] & CUPS (
WAT]1 GET SNACKS1 & REPL5I% MY SUPPLY (
AUDIO BOOKS 6LI/5 TO4 ,IF Y DR9K LOTS (
WAT]1 = EXAMPLE1 H ! AIDE FILL S"EAL
CUPS AB HALF FULL ( WAT] & FILL YR PIT*]
) ICE4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI# = ME 6P\R WAT] F A
PIT*] 96A CUP1 B X 0 EASY = ME 6DROP ICE
96CUPS T ALR _H WAT] 9 !M4 ,T WAY ,I
ONLY _H 6ASK = WAT] AB ONCE ON E %IFT4

,2 SPECIFIC AB YR NE$S
  ,:5 Y USE ! CALL BUTTON1 TELL ! P]SON
:O ANSW]S :AT X IS T Y ACTU,Y NE$4
,DON'T J SAY1 8,I NE$ A NURSE40 ,Y MAY N
NE$ A NURSE2 AN AIDE OR EV5 A VOLUNTE]
MI<T D J F9E = :AT"E Y NE$ D"O4 ,I DID N
NE$ A NURSE1 = EXAMPLE1 6GET 96MY
OV]NI<T BAG & GET ME ANO!R CASSETTE TAPE
6LI/5 TO4 ,SAY 9/1D1 8,I NE$ A SNACK10
OR1 8,I NE$ MY PA9 M$IC,N40 ,:5 ! P]SON
AT ! O!R 5D (! 9T]COM "KS YR SPECIFIC
NE$S1 ! MO/ APPROPRIATE /AFF MEMB] C 2
S5T 6ASSI/ Y4

,M$IC,N MANAGE;T
  ,IF Y >E ON M$IC,N1 TRY 6GET X AB #CJ
M9UTES OR AN H\R 2F %IFT *ANGE4 ,X TAKES
NEW /AFF AB AN H\R 6D PAP]"W & 0! "T !Y
GET >.D 6SEE+ :AT Y NE$1 X MAY 2 TWO
H\RS 96! NEXT %IFT4 ,2LIEVE ME1 ESPECI,Y
9 ! CASE ( PA9 M$IC,N1 Y DON'T WANT
6WAIT TWO H\RS PA/ YR S*$UL$ "T2 ?IRTY
M9UTES E>LY IS M* BETT]4 ,"O MORN+1 ,I 0
ALL[$ 6SLEEP "? MY NORM,Y S*$UL$ "T =
PA9 M$IC,N 0! /AFF 2C !Y DIDN'T WANT
6WAKE ME UP4 ,9 ORD] 6KEEP ON S*$ULE1 ,I
_H 6WAIT AN H\R 6TAKE MY NEXT PA9 PILLS4
,! /AFF ALL[$ ME 6GET UP ) NO PA9 M$IC,N
9 MY SY/EM 6G 6! BA?ROOM1 BRU% MY TEE?1
& WA% MY FACE4 ,I DON'T REMEMB] H[ ,I
GOT BACK 6B$1 AL? "! 0 A NURSE 9 ! ROOM
:5 ,I 2GAN GETT+ UP4 ,2C (! 9T5S;Y (!
PA91 ,I PASS$ \ :ILE ,I 0 WA%+ MY FACE4
,! NEXT ?+ ,I REMEMB] IS LY+ 9 B$1
SW1T+1 & HAV+ MY FACE WA%$ 0A V FRAZZL$
NURSE :O KEPT ASK+ IF ,I 0 OKAY4 ,I %D H
BE5 GIV5 ! OP;N ( US+ ! B$PAN 9 ORD]
6M9IMIZE MY MOVE;TS UNTIL ,I GOT "S PA9
M$IC,N 96MY SY/EM4

,LE>N AB ! PROC$URES Y W H & H[ !Y W
A6ECT Y
  ,X IS UP 6Y 6LE>N C]TA9 ?+S AB YRF1 Z
WELL Z AB HOSPITAL OR 9/ITU;N R\T9E &
6MAKE SURE ^? ?+S "W = Y4 ,AB FIVE
M9UTES AF MY *E/ TUBE 0 REMOV$1 !
RESPIRATORY !RAPI/ CAME 6SUP]VISE MY
RESPIRATORY !RAPY4 ,I _H 6BR1! DEEPLY1
C\<1 & MAKE ! LL BALL G UP & D[N 9 ! LL
TUBE :ILE BR1?+ IN4 ,I DID ALL T ,I 0
TOLD1 MA9LY 2C ( MY FE> ( PO/OP
PNEUMONIA4
  ,ALM IMMLY AF ! !RAPI/ LEFT1 ,I 2GAN
6H *E/ PA9S4 ,I GREW SW1TY & NAUS1T$4 ,I
CD N BR1!4 ,ALL ! S.DS 9 ! HALL \TSIDE
MY HOSPITAL ROOM 2CAME V F> AWAY4 ,I 0
3V9C$ T ,I 0 GO+ 6DIE4 ,I DECID$ ,I 0 N
AFRAID ( DY+1 B ,I DID N L ! IDEA ( DY+
AL"O1 & ,I WANT$ 6HURRY UP & GET X OV]
)4
  8,HURRY10 0 ALL ,I CD SAY :5 !
RECEP;NI/ ANSW]$ MY CALL4 ,2C ( MY
REPUT,N Z AN 8EASY0 PATI5T1 "S"O 0 "!
ALM 2F ,I F9I%$ UTT]+ ! ^WS4 ,=TUNATELY1
! NURSE :O CAME _H BE5 >.D ! BACK W>D
="E & KNEW "EY?+4 ,B>B>A 0 "O ( MY
FAVORITE NURSES2 %E 0 CLOSE 6MY AGE1 & 0
"O (! /AFF :O WD -E 9 =A *AT :5 %E CD4
  8,Y LOOK T]RI#10 %E EXCLAIM$4 8,IF ,I
DIDN'T "K BETT]1 ,I'D SWE> Y J _H BACK
SURG]Y40 ,I _H 6SMILE1 B ,I PO9T$ 6MY
*E/4 ,I 4COV]$ 6MY ABSOLUTE HORROR T ,I
CD N SP1K1 & T IF ,I DID1 ,I KNEW ,I WD
CRY4
  ,I GREW UP 9 AN 9/ITU;N ": *N 7
R\T9ELY HIT )A PA4LE = CRY+1 & :5 ,I
WASN'T "!1 ,I 0 HOME KEEP+ UP ) MY SI<T$
OLD] BRO!RS1 OR MY SI<T$ FRS4 ,I HELD MY
BR1? S ,I WDN'T CRY & 3T9U$ 6PO9T AT MY
*E/4 ,=TUNATELY1 ,B>B>A FIGUR$ X \4 ,I
TOLD Y %E KNEW "EY?+4 ,%E _H BE5 PRES5T
AT ! REMOVAL ( MY *E/ TUBE4
  8,DID Y J H RESPIRATORY !RAPY80 %E
ASK$4 ,I NO4$4 ,!N %E EXPLA9$ 6ME H[ !
REMOVAL (A *E/ TUBE IS V TRAUMATIC 6!
BODY & T ,I %DN'T H _H RESPIRATORY !RAPY
"R AFW4 ,IF Y >E A PATI5T1 DON'T "E
ASSUME T "EYBODY TAKES ! "T 6R1D YR *>T4
,%E GAVE ME AN EXTRA %OT ( MUSCLE RELAX]
& TOLD ME 6CALL IF ,I DIDN'T FEEL BETT]
9 #AE M9UTES OR S4 ,Z AN AF?"\ %E ASK$
IF ,I WANT$ H] 6SIT ) ME2 ,I M/ H RE,Y
LOOK$ HORRI#4
  8,YES10 ,I ?"\1 8PL1SE40 ,B1 ALW AW>E
( /AFF S*$ULES ,I %OOK MY H1D NO4 ,L _M
( Y R1D+ ? BOOK1 ,I AM EXP]T AT
OR*E/RAT+ MY [N AB&ON;T1 A F> EASI] ?+
?AN RELY+ ON O!RS4
  ,I AL DECID$ T IF ,I 7 GO+ 6MAKE GROSS
NOISES & MAYBE CRY1 ,I _H BETT] 2 AL"O1
AL? DY+ AL"O IS MY BI7E/ FE>4 ,I 9/RUCT$
H] 6CLOSE MY ROOM DOOR4 ,%E WD N H (F]$
6SIT ) ME IF H] S*$ULE 7 FULL1 & _H %E
D"O S )\T ASK+1 ,I WD H BE5 EXCE$+LY
GRATE;L4 ,H["E1 ,I H AN ALM PA?OLOGICAL
9ABIL;Y 6ASK = :AT ,I NE$ :5 ,I NE$ X !
MO/4 ,D N EXPECT YR M$ICAL PR(ES.NALS
6BE PSY*IC4 ,WE Z PATI5TS M/ LE>N 6SAY
:AT WE NE$4 ,SURE 5\<1 ,I 2GAN 6FEEL
BETT]4
  ,! NEXT "D1 E>LY 9 ! MORN+1 ,I _H MY
BLOOD DRAWN4 ,AB FIVE M9UTES LAT]1 "H
CAME ! RESPIRATORY !RAPI/4 8,-E BACK AF
,I H _H C(FEE & BR1KFA/ & BE5 UP A:ILE10
,I 9/RUCT$4 ,I LI/5$ 6H[ ,I 0 4RUPT+ 8
S*$ULE & !N SD1 8,D ALL YR O!R PATI5TS
ON ? FLOOR & !N G H ANO!R SMOKE1 & :ILE
Y'RE AT X1 H "O = ME4 ,I'LL 2 R1DY 0!N40
,I WD H 6H N _H A NOSE AT ALL 6H ESCAP$
! SMELL ( 8 CIG>ETTE SMOKE4

,H A S5SE ( HUMOR AB YR C>E
  ,"EY?+ 7OR AT L1/ MO/ ?+S7 9 LIFE IS
FUNNY4 ,I H A /RANGE 7& "S"TS1 AC 6"S P7
9APPROPRIATE S5SE ( HUMOR4 ,H["E1 X
PROV$ H&Y 9 ! HOSPITAL4 ,I 0 "S:AT
APPREH5SIVE AB HAV+ MY *E/ TUBE REMOV$4
,MY CO-"W]S _H ADVIS$ ME 2FH& 6REMEMB] N
6BR1! DUR+ ! PROCESS4 ,I HELD MY BR1?
DUTI;LLY & WAIT$ = 9/RUC;NS4
  8,C ,I BR1! N[80 ,I F9,Y ASK$4
  8,OH1 Y1H10 EXCLAIM$ ! DOCTOR1 8,I 0 J
HUNT+ A PIECE ( COTTON 6PUT "U ? B&-AID
S9CE X'S BLE$+ A LL BIT40
  ,I H AN EXCEP;N,Y ACTIVE 8NOSEY MOTOR0
T RUNS ON HI< IDLE :5"E ,I AM AWAKE4 8,D
Y H YR F+] 9 MY *E/80 ,I ASK$4
  8,YES1 J L ! LL BOY &! DIKE10 HE SD4
,IMMLY1 ,I KNEW T ? MAN 0 "S": CLOSE 6MY
AGE & T HE _H A S5SE ( HUMOR4 ,I AL FELT
HM TURN+ 8 H1D1 LOOK+ >.D M ACTIVELY =!
COTTON HE _H MISPLAC$4
  8,I WANT 6SEE10 & ,I 2GAN TRY+ 6REMOVE
8 F+] S ,I CD PUT MY F+] 9 ! HOLE 9 MY
[N *E/4 ,AF ALL1 X 0 ,,MY *E/ & ,I WANT$
6SEE :AT X FELT L 9 "!4 ,S"EAL /AFF _H
-E 9 0? "T--"S 6TALK 6HM AB O!R ?+S1 &
"O 6BR+ COTTON4
  8,AUNDREA1 Y MAY ,,N PUT YR H& 9 "!2
N[ GET YR H& AWAY F ME10 HE -M&$4
  8,AW1 BABY10 ,I SD )\T ?9K+1 8Y DIDN'T
SAY T LA/ NI<T40 ,"EYBODY BUR/ \ LAU<+1
& ,B>B>A TOLD ME LAT] T X 0 ! F/ & ONLY
"T %E _H "E SE5 HM BLU%4 ,HE WAS1 Z ,I
_H JUDG$1 V QK ON 8 FEET1 8,T 0 SUPPOS$
6H BE5 \R LL SECRET2 ,I'M N -+ BACK
ANYMORE40
  ,I 0 EV5 M APPREH5SIVE AB HAV+ MY
UR9>Y CA!T] REMOV$4 ,I _H BE5 ASLEEP :5
X _H BE5 9S]T$1 & ,I 0 3V9C$ T HAV+ X
REMOV$ WD 2 A PA9;L PROCESS4 ,ONCE AG1
,I ATTEMPT$ 6HIDE 2H HUMOR4 ,:5 ! DOCTOR
CAME 6REMOVE MY UR9>Y CA!T]1 S"EAL /AFF
GA!R$ 6SEE :AT WD HAPP54 ,? DOCTOR1
H["E1 GAVE ME NO *.E 6EV5 SAY HELLO1 M*
LESS T1SE HM AB :AT HAPP5$ DUR+ !
FICTITI\S 8NI<T 2F40
  8,TAKE A DEEP BR1? & BL[ \ Z H>D & FA/
Z Y C :5 ,I TELL Y40 ,I DID1 & HE RAN \
)\T EV5 SAY+ GD-BYE4
  8,HE'S V %Y10 SD "O (! NURSES1 & WE
ALL LAU<$4
  ,MA9TA9+ A S5SE ( HUMOR HELPS 5DE> Y
6! /AFF4 ,H["E1 ! M IMPORTANT R1SON =
KEEP+ HUMOR 9 YR LIFE :5 Y >E SICK IS T
DO+ S W MAKE Y FEEL BETT]4 ,HUMOR TAKES
U \ (! SELF-ABSORP;N & DEPRES.N T >E !
PITFALLS ( E P]SON :O IS ILL4

,SU7ES;NS = ,C>EGIV]S
  ,"H >E "S BASIC TIPS MO/ P DON'T ?9K
AB :5 VISIT+ A FR1 EI 9 A HOSPITAL ROOM
OR AT _! H\SE4 ,I WDN'T H ?"\ ( !M EI _H
,I N BE5 A PATI5T ON S _M O3A.NS4

,! %R9K+ _W
  ,"O (! ?+S MO/ C>EGIV]S =GET IS T1 =
^? ( U :O >E V ILL 7:E!R TEMPOR>ILY OR
P]MAN5TLY71 \R _W (T5 %R9KS D[N 6\R
BASIC PHYSICAL NE$S4 ,:5 ,I WOKE UP 9
RECOV]Y & 4COV]$ ,I _H A *E/ TUBE1
CA!T]1 & MORPH9E PUMP1 ,I KNEW T1 Z MY
SURGEON _H PR$ICT$1 MY BACK SURG]Y _H
BE5 M -PLICAT$ ?AN ! USUAL MICROSURG]Y4
,DUR+ ! "T ,I 0 9 ,9T5SIVE ,C>E1 &= "S
"T AFW1 ALL ,I C>$ AB 0 "K+ ! LOC,N ( MY
MORPH9E PUMP1 ! PLACE;T ( OBJECTS ON MY
B$ TRAY1 ! CALL BUTTON1 & :AT POSI;N 0
-=TA# = SLEEP+4 ,9 MY ROOM1 MY _W WID5$
& ,I WANT$ 6KEEP 9 3TACT )! PH"O1 ! ,,TV
REMOTE 3TROL1 &! PORTA# CASSETTE RECORD]
T PLAY$ ! AUDIO BOOKS ,I _H BR"\4

,^: H\SE IS X1 ANYWAY8
  ,IF Y >E A C>EGIV]1 REMEMB] YR MIS.N4
,YR MIS.N IS 6TAKE C>E (! NE$S ( YR FR1
N YR NE$S4 ,YR FR MAY N C>E IF ! S9K IS
FULL ( DIRTY DI%ES & MAY TELL Y 6L1VE !M
AL"O & -E SIT ) H]4 ,D N IMPOSE YR VIEWS
&/OR LIFE/YLE ON YR FR4 ,! NOISE & BU/LE
CR1T$ 0"S"O DO+ H\SE"W MAY TAKE M 5]GY \
( H] ?AN %E HAS 6GIVE1 EV5 IF %E IS N
9VOLV$ 9 ! ACTIV;Y4 ,MY FR1 ,JOHN1
DIDN'T C>E AB ! DI%ES4 ,HE WANT$ -PANY1
& "SBODY 6WAIT ON HM ALL ! "T4 ,ON ! O!R
H&1 ,AUNT ,BETTY DIDN'T C>E :AT ,I DID 9
! H\SE1 Z L;G Z ,I DIDN'T WAKE H] UP4
  ,:5 ,I GOT HOME AF MY SURG]Y1 A FR
SP5T ! WEEK5D ) ME4 ,%E IS A M$ICAL
SOCIAL "W] & HELPS PATI5TS PLAN _! C>E
AF !Y H BE5 4*>G$ F ! HOSPITAL4 ,\R GOAL
0 6H H] HELP ME GET SET UP )! HOME H1L?
NURSE & D ANY?+ >.D ! H\SE T WD MAKE X
EASI] = ME 6TAKE C>E ( MYF AF %E LEFT4
,%E CL1N$ ! H\SE & MADE X PRES5TA# =!
-PANY :O CAME 6VISIT4 ,%E !N NOTIC$ T MY
Y>D MAN _H N -E 9 A:ILE &! Y>D _H 2GUN
6LOOK Q NEGLECT$4
  ,TWO BOYS 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD CAME 0(F]+
6M[ & $GE ! Y>D4 ,I _H A BAD FEEL+ AB !M
& DIRECT$ MY C>EGIV] 6TELL !M 6G AWAY4
,H["E1 9 ! 5D1 ,I ALL[$ H] 6P]SUADE ME T
%E WD SUP]VISE !M & ALL ,I _H 6D 0 LIE 9
B$ & WRITE ! *ECK4 ,2C !Y DID S WELL "U
H] SUP]VI.N1 ,I 4MISS$ ! ADVICE ( MY
GU>DIAN ANGELS 7ALW A MI/AKE71 & _H !M
P]=M O!R TASKS = ME AF %E LEFT4 ,:5 ,I
2GAN 6BE /R;G 5 6TAKE /OCK ( MY H\SE1 ,I
R1LIZ$ T N ONLY _H "S M"OY BE5 TAK5 \ (
MY PURSE1 B AL OBJECTS AB : ! BOYS _H
EXHIBIT$ A GRT D1L ( 9T]E/ _H BE5 /OL5 F
MY G>AGE4 ,X IS ! ONLY "T 2F OR S9CE ,I
H _H ? H\SE T ?+S H 4APPE>$4 ,ESPECI,Y 9
T]MS (! M"OY1 NOBODY _H BE5 9 ! H\SE 2SS
!M :5 X 0 TAK54
  ,TWO SETS ( CIRCUM/.ES 7 AT "W "H4 ,I
DID N H ! 5]GY 6/ICK 0MY GU>DIAN ANGELS
& TELL MY C>EGIV] T IF MY Y>D MAN DIDN'T
GET 8 TRUCK FIX$ SOON1 ,I WD CALL A
PR(ES.NAL S]VICE4 ,SECONDLY1 Z !
C>EGIV]1 %E IMPOS$ H] VIEWS ^U ! SITU,N
2C %E DIDN'T L ! LOOKS ( MY Y>D4 ,AT T
"T1 ,I H"O/LY DIDN'T C>E :AT ! Y>D LOOK$
L4

,KNOCK 2F 5T]+ A HOSPITAL ROOM OR A
B$ROOM
  ,IF Y VISIT "S"O 9 A W>D SITU,N ": "!
>E _M B$S1 SAY YR FR'S "N S"EAL FEET 2F
Y GET 6! B$4 ,X IS A GD WAY 6GET "S"O'S
ATT5;N :O MAY 2 SLEEP+1 OR J LY+ ) _!
EYES CLOS$4 ,MO/ P APPROA* PATI5TS V
QUIETLY1 B5D D[N "R 9 _! FACES 6SEE IF
!Y >E SLEEP+1 & !N %AKE !M OR SAY _!
"NS4 ,DON'T D T1 "E4 ,X C CAUSE U 6JUMP
Z IF WE >E HAV+ A FALL+ DR1M4 ,? IS MO/
4CONC]T+1 & C 2 V PA9;L1 ESPECI,Y =
SURG]Y PATI5TS4

,B$ ETIQUETTE
  ,N"E SIT ON A PATI5T'S B$ )\T P]MIS.N4
,& N"E BUMP AG/ ! B$ (A PATI5T4 ,Z A
PATI5T1 ,I WD M* R H "SBODY SIT ON OR
EV5 LIE 9 MY B$ ) ME ?AN 69ADV]T5TLY
BUMP X4

,DIET>Y 3SID],NS
  ,IF ! P]SON Y >E GO+ 6VISIT 9DICATES
!Y >E ON A SPECIAL DIET1 DON'T (F]
TEMPT,NS4 ,2C (! L5G? ( MY SURG]Y1 ,I _H
6BE ON CLE> LIQUIDS = :AT SEEM$ L YE>S4
,CLE> LIQUIDS D N 9CLUDE ! *OCOLATE MILK
%AKES "EY"O KEPT (F]+ 6BR+4 8,WDN'T Y L
A BIG *OCOLATE MILK %AKE80 IS N AN
APPROPRIATE "Q 6ASK A P]SON 3F9$ 6A CLE>
LIQUID DIET :O LOVES *OCOLATE & BR1K+
RULES Z M* Z ,I D4 ,I C]TA9LY DIDN'T
5JOY HAV+ 6TURN "O D[N ?REE OR F\R "TS 9
! SAME 3V]S,N4

,3V]S,NAL PO9T]S
  ,DON'T NECESS>ILY ASSUME T ! P]SON Y
>E GO+ 6VISIT WANTS 6TALK AB ! SAME ?+S
Y D1 EV5 IF Y 7 OR >E CO-"W]S & TALK AB
"W ALL ! "T4 ,HE OR %E MAY 2 TIR$ F O!R
VISITORS OR M$ICAL PROC$URES4 ,HE OR %E
MAY 5JOY X M IF Y J SIT ) !M & DON'T SAY
ANY?+4 ,:5 9 D\BT1 LET YR FR 9ITIATE
3V]S,N4 ,IF YR FR IS QUIET1 Y PROBABLY
%D 2 AL1 UN.S HE OR %E SAYS "S?+ TACT;L
S* Z1 8,WELL1 DON'T SIT "! L A BUMP ON A
LOG1 TELL ME :AT'S GO+ ON AT "W80 ,LET
YR FR "K1 ?\<1 T X IS OKAY = HM 6DRIFT
(F 6SLEEP1 TOO4

,"EYBODY WANTS 6BR+ FL[]S
  ,FL[]S OR PLANTS >E NICE1 B !Y >E N
NECESS>ILY ! BE/ GIFT4 ,?9K 2F Y BR+ !M
6A SICK FR4 ,IF YR FR HAS A L;G-T]M
ILL;S1 A POTT$ PLANT MAY N 2 ! BE/ GIFT
6BR+4 ,IF YR FR IS ONLY TEMPOR>ILY ILL &
Y "K T HE OR %E LIKES 6TAKE C>E (
PLANTS1 A POTT$ PLANT MI<T 2 "S?+ HE OR
%E WD LOOK =W>D 6TAK+ C>E (1 PROVID+ A
GD 9C5TIVE = GETT+ UP \ ( B$4 ,H["E1 IF
! ILL;S IS L;G-T]M1 A POTT$ PLANT MAY 2
J "O M ?+ ! PRIM>Y C>EGIV] W H 6TAKE C>E
(4 ,AL1 "! MAY 2 BACT]IA 9 ! PLANT T
MI<T H>M YR FR4 ,ASK 2F Y BR+ A POTT$
PLANT4 ,FRE% FL[]S MAY 2 BETT]4 ,!Y W
DIE 9 FIVE "DS1 B ON YR NEXT VISIT Y C
BR+ M4 ,>TIFICIAL >RANGE;TS REQUIRE NO
C>E1 & "S ( !M >E Q ATTRACTIVE4
,REMEMB]1 YR 8PRES;E0 IS M WELCOME ?AN
ANY 8PRES5TS0 Y MI<T BR+4

,JEWELRY OR N8
  ,I LE>N$ ! H>D WAY 9 HI< S*OOL N 6WE>
M* JEWELRY 9 NURS+ HOMES4 ,"S PATI5TS1
ESPECI,Y ^? ^: M5TAL CAPACITIES H
DET]IORAT$1 W R1* 6GRAB VISITORS & B"R
OBJECTS ! SAME WAY BABIES D4 ,I US$ 6WE>
B"R1 DANGL+ E>R+S 6NURS+ HOMES2 ,I D N D
T ANYMORE4 ,AL1 TRY 6GET YR LOV$ "O N
6L1VE _! JEWELRY AT ! NURS+ HOME1 EV5 T
: !Y WE> ON _! BODY S* Z R+S4 ,9 "S
FACILITIES1 !Y MI<T 2 /OL54 ,Y C1 Z A
VISITOR1 BR+ ! JEWELRY = YR FR 6WE> OR
LOOK AT :ILE Y >E "!1 !N TAKE X ) Y :5 Y
G4 ,2 SURE 6H A WRITT5 /ATE;T F YR FR OR
! GU>DIAN ( YR FR AB ^! >RANGE;TS UN.S Y
>E ! GU>DIAN4

,ILL;S & SMELLS
  ,DON'T WE> P]FUME >.D P :O >E V ILL
UN.S YR FR LETS Y "K X'S OKAY4 ,EV5 !
P]FUME T US$ 6BE 8 FAVORITE :5 Y WORE X
2F HE 2CAME ILL MAY MAKE HM FEEL
NAUS1T$1 ESPECI,Y IF HE IS TAK+ A LOT (
M$IC9E4

,DON'T LET YR NOSE KEEP Y AWAY F YR LOV$
"OS
  ,"S"TS YR FR MAY H AN UNPL1SANT SMELL
2C ( 8 ILL;S1 ! M$IC,N HE IS ON1 OR !
LACK ( ATT5DANT C>E 9 8 LIFE4 ,"S"TS IF
HE IS 9 AN 9/ITU;N S* Z A NURS+ HOME1 !
NURS+ HOME MAY N SMELL GD4 ,! MO/ -MON
R1SON = ? IS T ! AV]AGE C>EGIV] 9 A
NURS+ HOME HAS AB =TY PATI5TS 6GIVE C>E
6ON _! %IFT4 ,AL1 C>EGIV]S 9 ? C.TRY >E
GROSSLY "UPD & OV]LOAD$4 ,HOSPICE TRA9+
CLASSES USU,Y SU7E/ WAYS 6HELP Y GET OV]
! 8SMELL0 PRO#M4 ,H["E1 Z ,I PO9T$ \ AT
! 2G9N+ ( ? *APT]1 ,I AM N WRIT+ ? *APT]
= HOSPICE "W]S4 ,I AM WRIT+ = ^? :O
SIMPLY WANT 6G SIT )A SICK FR1 OR :O H
F.D !MVS ! PRIM>Y C>EGIV] "U UNEXPECT$
CIRCUM/.ES S* Z ! SU45 ILL;S (A LOV$ "O4
,OR MAYBE Y WANT 6/AY )A FR TEMPOR>ILY
:ILE ! PRIM>Y C>EGIV] TAKES A WEEK5D (F4
,IF Y "K ! SMELL IS GO+ 6BE UNPL1SANT =
:AT"E R1SON1 B Y RE,Y WANT 6HELP1 DON'T
GIVE YR NOSE & TUMMY F9AL P[] OV] YR GD
9T5;NS4 ,D :AT POLICEM5 ALL OV] ! C.TRY
D :5 !Y H 6VISIT A SC5E ": "S"O HAS BE5
D1D =A L;G "T4 ,J 2F 5T]+1 PUT ,VICKS OR
,M5?OLATUM 9 YR NOSE & AT ! V \TSIDE (
BO? NO/RILS4 ,DON'T FEEL GUILTY4 ,X IS
BETT] 6COV] UP ! SMELL ?AN 6LET YR NOSE
KEEP Y AWAY F YR LOV$ "O4

,UNIV]SAL ,PRECAU;NS
  ,! GUIDEL9ES T DICTATE :5 ,UNIV]SAL
,PRECAU;NS %D 2 US$ >E FAIRLY SIMPLE4
,IF Y >E GO+ 6-E 96DIRECT 3TACT )! BLOOD
OR BODY FLUID ( YR FR1 Y NE$ 6WE> RU2]
GLOVES4 ,IF YR FR IS C\<+ & IF "! IS
BLOOD 9 ! MAT]IAL F 8 C\<1 Y %D WE> A
PROTECTIVE FACE MASK4 ,ALW MAKE !
ASSUMP;N IF Y "K T Y W 2 9 DIRECT 3TACT
)! BLOOD OR BODY FLUID ( YR FR1 T YR FR
HAS AT L1/ "O (! 41SES T >E TRANSMITT$
6O!RS 0GETT+ BLOOD OR BODY FLUIDS ON !
SK9 ( ANO!R P]SON4 ,IF Y A3ID5T,Y GET
BLOOD OR BODY FLUID ON YR H&S1 WA% YR
H&S IMMLY4 ,YR *.ES ( 2+ H>M$ >E V L[
UN.S Y H AN OP5 W.D ON YR H& & YR FR'S
BLOOD GETS 96YR BLOOD-/R1M "? ! CUT ON
YR H&4 ,*.ES >E1 IF Y >E J GO+ 6VISIT YR
FR 6GIVE ! PRIM>Y C>EGIV] A *.E 6GET
AWAY = A:ILE1 Y WON'T H 6WORRY AB :5
6TAKE ,UNIV]SAL ,PRECAU;NS 2C ALL !
S]I\S M$ICAL PROC$URES W H ALR BE5 D"O4
,X IS SAFE 6HOLD H&S1 HUG1 HOLD1 CU4LE
)1 COOK =1 & TALK ) YR FR )\T WE>+ RU2]
GLOVES4 ,Y MAY KISS YR FR'S *EEK2 Y MAY
KISS YR FR'S M\? ) YR M\? CLOS$ )\T
WORRY+ AB BODY FLUID4 ,Y MAY DEEP5 !
KISS IF Y "K YR FR DOES N H BLOOD 9 8
SALIVA & Y D N H A SORE 9 YR M\?4 ,I AM
N GO+ 6WRITE M 9 ? SEC;N AB H[ P )
*RONIC ILL;SES ADAPT _! SEX LIVES 6_!
BODIES 2C T SUBJECT W 2 COV]$ 9 DETAIL 9
MY NEXT BOOK4 ,OBVI\SLY1 Y C / H A GRT
D1L ( PHYSICAL & A6EC;NATE 3TACT ) YR FR
)\T WORRY+ AB PROTECT+ YRF4 ,IF Y >E !
PRIM>Y C>EGIV] & -E 963TACT FREQU5TLY )
BLOOD OR BODY FLUIDS1 YR HOSPICE NURSE
OR H1L? C>E PR(ES.NAL W GIVE Y M
SPECIFIC GUID.E AB :5 ,UNIV]SAL
,PRECAU;NS %D 2 US$4

8,FEEL ! ,ROOM0
  ,I CD H CALL$ ? SEC;N1 8FEEL !
PATI5T10 2C ? SEC;N D1LS ) YR ABIL;Y
69T]PRET ! FEEL+S ( YR FR4 ,TAKE A
SECOND TO 8FEEL ! ROOM40 ,Y DON'T H 6BE
A _W-FAM\S PSY*IC 6D ?4 ,J 2F Y 5T]1
TAKE A FEW DEEP BR1?S 6RELAX & L1VE YRF
OP5 6! ATMOSPH]E 9 ! ROOM4 ,TAKE A FEW
SECONDS :5 Y F/ WALK 9 6NOTICE :AT !
ROOM & YR FR 8FEEL L40 ,DON'T LOOK AT
ANY?+ DUR+ T "T2 J LI/5 6YR GU>DIAN
ANGELS4 ,!Y W USU,Y TELL Y :AT 6D4 ,! M
Y PRACTICE1 ! BETT] Y W GET AT ?4 ,DON'T
WORRY AB N GETT+ X "R ALL ! "T4
  ,9 G5]AL1 IF ! ATMOSPH]E 9 ! ROOM
FEELS H1VY1 YR FR MAY 2 9 DEEP ?"\1 OR 9
A BAD MOOD4 ,ALL ( U "K :AT A ROOM FEELS
L :5 "! IS "S"O 9 X :O IS 9 A BAD MOOD4
,ASK IF "! IS ANY?+ !Y WANT 6TALK AB4
,DON'T 2 AFRAID 6TELL !M1 IF !Y ASK :Y Y
WANT 6"K1 T Y J FELT L !Y MI<T WANT
6TELL Y "S?+4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 DON'T 2
4APPO9T$ IF !Y DON'T WANT 6TALK AB X1 OR
IF !Y TELL Y NO?+ IS ! MATT] & _! BODY
LANGUAGE SAYS "! IS4 ,!Y W 2 M LIKELY
6TALK IF !Y DON'T FEEL PRESSUR$4
  ,IF ! ROOM FEELS P1CE;L 7DON'T 3FUSE ?
) QUIET71 HE MAY 2 WANT+ 6SLEEP OR J SIT
& 2 QUIET4
  ,IF ! ROOM HAS A LI<T & AIRY FEEL+ 6X1
YR FR MAY 2 9 A GD MOOD & WANT+ 6TALK4
  ,IF Y >E IMMLY ASSAULT$ ) AN A*+ FEEL+
9 YR [N BODY1 *ECK 6SEE IF YR FR IS 9
PA94 ,IF T ISN'T X1 SEE IF !Y WANT
PHYSICAL 3TACT S* Z 2+ HELD1 A MASSAGE1
OR "S?+ Z SIMPLE Z HAV+ _! H& HELD4

,3FIRM+ GOALS
  ,3FIRM ) YR FR T YR GOALS &! GOALS (
YR FR >E ! SAME4 ,! PREVI\S C>EGIV] MAY
TELL Y T YR FR HAS BE5 9 A GD MOOD & HAS
_H LOTS ( -PANY4 ,DON'T ASSUME F !
PREVI\S C>EGIV]'S ASSESS;T T YR FR WANTS
6TALK OR PLAY C>DS OR WAT* ,,TV OR D
ANY?+4 ,HE OR %E MAY 2 EXHAU/$ F ALL !
VISITORS4 8,:AT D Y WANT 6D TD80 IS N"E
A BAD "Q ) : 62G94

,I H BE5 =TUNATE DUR+ MY FIVE SURG]IES
6H EXCELL5T C>EGIV]S4 ,MY "M TOOK C>E (
ME AF MY F/ TWO EYE SURG]IES4 ,MY FR1
,CYNDY ,B]N>D1 TOOK C>E ( ME AF MY ?IRD
EYE SURG]Y1 & TWO ( MY BACK SURG]IES4
,%E IS EXCELL5T AT 8FEEL+ ! ROOM40 ,?ANK
Y1 ,CYNDY1 = TAK+ ! "T4 ,%E IS1 ( C\RSE1
,CYNDY ! ,SOCIAL ,"W] 9 ! ILLU/RAT$
*APT] ON ,LIV+ ,WILLS4 ,X M/ 2 "S?+ 9 !
WAT] "H 9 ,TEXAS4 ,%E QUIT H] EI<T-TO-
FIVE JOB 9 ,NOVEMB] (! YE> #AIII L ,I
DID 6FOLL[ H] DR1M4 ,H] HUSB&1 ,DON1 0
"O (! MALE 8GU9EA PIGS0 ,I ASK$ 6R1D !
DRAFT ( ? BOOK4
  ,MY -PUT] EQUIP;T IS TOO OLD
6A3OMMODATE W9D[S4 8,OH1 BOY2 ,I HAV5'T
"W$ ) ,,DOS 9 YE>S10 ,DON EXPRESS$ 6ME4
,HE /AY$ HOME ALL "D 6R1D :ILE ,CYNDY &
,I W5T %OPP+1 & !N MADE U WAIT 6G \ 6EAT
UNTIL HE F9I%$4 ,8 PRAISE & SU7ES;NS 7
"PICUL>LY M1N+;L S9CE HE LO/ 8 PREVI\S
WIFE 6C.ER & 0 H] PRIM>Y C>EGIV]4

8,I C'T "U/& A ?+ Y >E SAY+3 ": D WE G F
"H80
  ,:ILE Y >E PROVID+ C>E = YR FR1 YR FR
MAY LOSE ! ABIL;Y 6SP1K4 ,ALW REMEMB] T
"! IS / A P]SON 9 T BODY4 ,HE>+1 N
SPEE*1 IS USU,Y ! LA/ ?+ 6G4 ,YR FR MAY
/ 2 A# 6BL9K 8 EYES 69DICATE ! ANSW]S TO
8YES0 & 8NO0 "QS4 ,HE MAY 2 A# 6SQUEEZE
H&S1 SNIFF1 SI<1 OR MOVE "S "P ( 8 BODY
69DICATE 8YES0 OR 8NO0 ANSW]S4
  ,"S"TS1 :5 P H _H /ROKES1 = EXAMPLE1
!Y ?9K !Y H P]=M$ ! TASK Y H ASK$ ( !M
2C 9 _! M9D1 !Y H D"O :AT Y H ASK$4 ,=
EXAMPLE1 !Y MAY N R1LIZE T _! FOOT DID N
MOVE :5 Y ASK$ IF !Y CD P]=M T TASK4
8,MAMA10 ,I US$ 6SAY AF %E _H H] /ROKE1
8Y DIDN'T SQUEEZE MY H&4 ,Y MOV$ YR LEFT
LEG1 ?\<1 & T'S GD4 ,MOVE YR LEFT LEG
AG40 ,%E CD N"E REP1T A BODY MOVE;T4
  ,IF YR FR C NO L;G] SAY ^WS Y C "U/&1
HE / MAY 2 A# 6MAKE S.DS4 ,LI/5 6! T"O
(! S.DS4 ,D ! S.DS SEEM HAPPY1 SAD1
ANGRY1 3T5T$1 OR ?"\;L8 ,IF Y DON'T "K1
TRY MAK+ ! SAME S.D YR FR IS MAK+ & PAY
ATT5;N 6! WAY Y FEEL :5 Y >E MAK+ T S.D4
,! WAY Y FEEL :5 MAK+ ! SAME S.D YR FR
IS MAK+ W PROBABLY REFLECT A3URATELY H[
YR FR IS FEEL+4 ,2 SURE & EXPLA9 T Y >E
TRY+ 6DET]M9E :AT HE NE$S4 ,TELL HM Y >E
N MOCK+ HM4
  ,IF YR FR _C MAKE ANY S.DS & Y >E A BL
C>EGIV]1 DON'T GIVE UP4 ,Y C DET]M9E IF
HE HAS FACIAL EXPRES.N FAIRLY EASILY4
,PLACE ! PALM ( YR H& ON YR FR'S *EEK S
T YR F+]S C T\* 8 LIPS1 NOSE1 EYELIDS1 &
EYEBR[S4 ,MAKE SURE ! PALM ( YR H& DOES
N COV] 8 M\? OR NOSE EV5 SLI<TLY4 ,LET
YR LOV$ "O "K T Y >E GO+ 6T\* _! FACE4
,S9CE1 3TR>Y 6:AT IS PORTRAY$ 9 !
MOVIES1 BL P D N T\* P'S FACES ALL ! "T1
& YR FR MAY 2 SURPRIS$ ! F/ "T Y D X4
,MAMA'S *EEK MUSCLES JUMP$ ) SURPRISE !
F/ "T ,I PLAC$ ! PALM ( MY H& ON H] *EEK
S ,I CD RE/ MY F+] ON H] EYELID 6DET]M9E
IF %E 0 BL9K+ = 8YES0 & 8NO04 ,"!AF1 H]
FACIAL MUSCLES REMA9$ / :5"E ,I WD USE
MY H&S 6MONITOR H] EXPRES.N4
  ,I AM N ! ONLY BL P]SON :O HAS GIV5
C>E 6LOV$ "OS & FRS4 ,I C ?9K ( ALM A
DOZ5 BL P "R N[ J 9 ! ,AU/91 ,TEXAS1 >EA
:O H BE5 PRIM>Y C>EGIV]S 6ILL OR DY+
LOV$ "OS4 ,IF ,I "K (A DOZ5 BL C>EGIV]S
)\T GIV+ X M* ?"\1 "! >E B.D 6BE _M M T
,I DON'T "K AB4 ,! MO/ -MON -PLA9T ,I
HE> F BL C>EGIV]S IS T ! M$ICAL -MUN;Y
HOLDS U 6A DI6]5T 7USU,Y HI<]7 /&>D (
C>EGIV+ ?AN EXI/S = NONDISA#D C>EGIV]S4
,WE >E TOLD 0M$ICAL PR(ES.NALS1 =
EXAMPLE1 T BL P _C C>E = P :O >E DY+ 2C
WE _C />T AN ,,IV4 ,:AT !Y NEGLECT 6TELL
U IS T C>EGIV]S :O >E SI<T$ DON'T />T
,,IV'S EI4 ,!Y GET ! HOSPICE NURSE 6D T4
,?+S >E 2G9N+ 6*ANGE )9 ! M$ICAL -MUN;Y1
H["E4 ,I HE> M /ORIES N[ F BL & 4A#D
C>EGIV]S AB M$ICAL P]SONNEL :O 7
SUPPORTIVE ?AN ,I DID 9 ! PA/4
  ,IF YR FR 2COMES NONV]BAL1 ! MO/
IMPORTANT ?+ Y C D1 :E!R Y >E A BL OR A
SI<T$ C>EGIV]1 IS 6REMEMB] HE IS / !
SAME P]SON HE 0 :5 HE CD SP1K4 ,LI/5 &
WAT* ) YR HE>T & LET YR 9TUI;N 2 YR
GUIDE4

,PA9 MANAGE;T OR ! LACK ( X
  ,AL? ?+S >E *ANG+1 M$ICAL /UD5TS
TRADI;N,Y GET H>DLY ANY TRA9+ 9 HELP+ _!
PATI5TS MANAGE PA94 ,MO/ PATI5TS D N
R1LIZE T X IS USU,Y POSSI# 6BE KEPT
R1SONABLY -=TA# :ILE !Y >E DY+ & T _!
PA9 C 2 MANAG$4 ,H["E1 MO/ PATI5TS >E
"UM$ICAT$ :5 X -ES 6_! PA9 MANAGE;T UN.S
!Y H A GD M$ICAL ADVOCATE1 OR UN.S !Y >E
=TUNATE 5 6BE "U ! C>E (! R>E DOCTOR :O
HAS _H EXP]I;E 9 ! TR1T;T ( PA9
MANAGE;T4
  ,IF Y >E ! PRIM>Y C>EGIV] & YR LOV$ "O
IS 2+ "UM$ICAT$ = 8 PA91 "H >E A FEW ?+S
Y C D 6HELP4 ,ASK 6H AN APPO9T;T )!
HOSPITAL SOCIAL "W] 6SEE :AT YR OP;NS
>E4 ,5LI/ ! AID ( YR LOCAL HOSPICE NURSE
IF YR LOV$ "O IS 9 A HOSPICE PROGRAM4
,IF HE IS 9 A HOSPITAL &! PRIM>Y C>E
PHYSICIAN REFUSES 6REF] HM 6A HOSPICE
PROGRAM1 TRY IMPLE;T+ "S (! PROC$URES 9
! *APT] ON *ANG+ DOCTORS4 ,IF *ANG+
DOCTORS WON'T "W = "S R1SON 7S* Z T 8
9SUR.E WON'T LET Y71 TRY "S O!R ?+S4 ,IF
Y _C OBTA9 SATISFAC;N F YR LOV$ "O'S
PHYSICIAN "? NORMAL HOSPITAL
ADM9I/RATIVE *ANNELS1 OR IF Y _C
9VE/IGATE YR OP;NS 2C YR "T IS TOO TAK5
UP ) 2+ AT ! B$SIDE ( YR LOV$ "O1 3TACT
! ADVOCACY GR\PS LI/$ 9 ! *APT] CALL$
,ADVOCACY ,GR\PS1 ,N ,MIRACLE ,"W]S1 &
GIVE !M P]MIS.N 69T]C$E ON YR 2HALF4
  ,IF YR FR HAS AN ILL;S T IS N GO+ 6G
AWAY1 HE %D H PA9 M$IC,N GIV5 AT S*$UL$
"TS S "! W ALW 2 M$IC,N 9 8 SY/EM4 ,D N1
= EXAMPLE1 ALL[ 8 DOCTOR 6WRITE A ,,PRN
OR 8Z NE$$0 PRESCRIP;N = 8 PA9 MANAGE;T4
,PA9 M$IC,N = PATI5TS ) T]M9AL ILL;SES
NE$S 6BE GIV5 AT S*$UL$ "TS4
  ,REMEMB]1 H["E1 J 2C Y ?9K "S"O LOOKS
UNCOM=TA# DOESN'T M1N HE NECESS>ILY
WANTS YR HELP4 ,"! MAY 2 R1SONS RELAT+
6! CULTURAL OR RELIGI\S 2LIEFS ( YR FR T
M&ATE T !Y LIVE ) PA94 ,2 V C>E;L 2F
GETT+ 9VOLV$ ) "S"O'S PA9 MANAGE;T &
MAKE SURE T YR ASSI/.E IS WANT$4

8,S1 :AT IF HE DIES :ILE ,I'M "!80
  ,_M ( U HESITATE 6VISIT SICK FRS OR
HESITATE 6GIVE C>E 6\R FRS 2C (! FE> T
\R FR MI<T DIE 9 \R PRES;E & WE WON'T "K
:AT 6D4 ,DON'T WORRY AB 8MESS+ UP40 ,DY+
IS A "P ( LIFE4 ,IF YR FR OR LOV$ "O
TRU/S Y 5 6RELAX & L1VE 8 BODY 9 YR
PRES;E1 HE HAS 2/[$ ^U Y 8 OR H] MO/
PRECI\S GIFT1 8 ULTIMATE TRU/4 ,IF YR FR
IS A HOSPICE PATI5T & HE IS / AT HOME1 2
AW>E ( ": ! LOCAL HOSPICE NURSE PH"O
NUMB] IS4 ,CALL X IF "S?+ 2G9S N 6S.D OR
FEEL "R4 ,IF YR FR IS 9 AN 89-H\SE0
HOSPICE1 "! W 2 A /AFF P]SON Y C SUMMON
:O W TELL Y :AT 6D4
  ,PROBABLY NO?+ W HAPP5 ON YR %IFT4 ,IF
YR FR IS RE,Y CLOSE 6D1? & Y >E N !
PRIM>Y C>EGIV]1 Y W PROBABLY N 2 ASK$
6SIT 2C ! PRIM>Y C>EGIV] :O MAY 7&
PROBABLY IS7 A V CLOSE LOV$ "O1 W N WANT
6L1VE YR FR4 ,MO/ P1 UN=TUNATELY1 D N
DIE SU45LY4 ,TRY N 6LET YR FE> ( D1?
KEEP Y F %>+ :AT MAY TURN \ 6BE YR MO/
PRECI\S MEMORIES ( "T ) YR FR4

,B1 WORSE ?AN :AT IF HE DIES1 8,:AT IF
HE CRIES80
  ,ANO!R R1SON WE HESITATE 6VISIT P :O
>E V ILL1 OR :O >E DY+1 IS T WE ?9K WE
>E N CAPA# ( H&L+ \R [N EMO;NAL /RESS1
OR ! /RESS & SAD;S ( \R DY+ FR4 ,?9K ( X
? WAY4 ,IF YR FR 7 GO+ "? A HORRI#
DIVORCE1 Y WD PROBABLY N ISOLATE YRF
SOCI,Y4 ,Y WD PLAY X 0E>4 ,IF YR FR
WANT$ 6TALK1 Y WD LI/51 OR EX*ANGE W>
/ORIES IF Y >E DIVORC$4 ,IF HE CRIES1 !
BE/ ?+ Y C D IS 8BE QUIET40 ,:E!R Y HOLD
8 H&1 HOLD HM 9 YR >MS1 OR J SIT 2S HM1
8BE QUIET0 UNTIL HE IS F9I%$4 ,D N MAKE
8%U%+0 NOISES4 ,D N AUTOMATIC,Y />T
LOOK+ =A TISSUE UNTIL HE DOES4 ,D N TELL
HM "EY?+ W 2 ALL "R4 ,X MI<T N4 ,J 2
QUIET & 2 / TILL ! /ORM IS OV]4 ,DON'T 2
4APPO9T$ IF HE DOES N WANT 6TALK AB X
IMMLY AFW4 ,J MAKE YRF AVAILA#4 ,YR DY+
FR DOES N NE$ A PR(ES.NAL 6TALK 6MO/ (!
"T4 ,HE NE$S Y1 ) YR %>$ PA/ & WILL+;S
6BE "! 9 ! PRES5T4 ,DON'T WORRY AB SAY+
OR DO+ "S?+ WR;G4 ,2F HE 2CAME ILL1 BO?
( Y PROBABLY GOT ON EA* O!R'S N]VES
"S"TS1 &! SKY DIDN'T FALL D[N4 ,S :AT IF
HE YELLS AT Y 2C HE'S DY+ & Y >E N4 ,LA/
YE> Y YELL$ AT HM 2C Y 4AGRE$ )! WAY HE
0 RAIS+ 8 *N4 ,! SKY DIDN'T FALL D[N !N1
EI4

,*N &! DY+ PROCESS
  ,IF X IS ! * :O IS DY+1 REMEMB]1 MO/
(! "T1 *N DIE 8EASI]0 ?AN D ADULTS4 ,X
IS M* H>D] = U Z ADULTS 6WIT;S ! ILL;S (
*N ?AN X IS = U 6BE SICK \RVS1 OR EV5
6WIT;S ! ILL;SES ( O!R ADULTS4 ,A CLOSE
FR "W$ = ,SEA ,_W 9 ,FLORIDA Z A D.ER &
ACT$ Z A -PANION = *N :O W5T 6,SEA ,_W
"? ! ,MAKE-A-,WI% ,F.D,N4 ,"S (! *N
PROVID$ HM1 ) ALM P9PO9T A3URACY1 9=M,N
AB _! ILL;SES4
  8,&Y10 !Y WD SAY1 8AN ANGEL CAME &
TOLD ME ,I W DIE AF MY BIR?"D2 DON'T
TELL ,MOMMY40 ,*N :O PR$ICT _! [N D1?S
%D 2 TAK5 V S]I\SLY4 ,D N =CE A * 6DIE
AL"O 0TELL+ HM N 6TALK AB X J 2C DO+ S W
MAKE Y SAD4 ,"! >E SUPPORT GR\PS & EV5
CAMPS = *N :O H T]M9AL ILL;SES4 ,YR
LOCAL HOSPICE W 2 A# 6PROVIDE Y )! "N (
AN APPROPRIATE SUPPORT GR\P = BO? Y & YR
*4
  ,*N H&LE _! ILL;SES & D1?S BETT] :5 !Y
>E GIV5 A3URATE 9=M,N AB _! 41SE PROCESS
ON A LEVEL !Y C "U/&4 ,PICTURES1 DOLLS1
& VIDEOTAPES C 2 US$ 6HELP *N "U/& :AT
IS HAPP5+ 6_! BODIES4 ,IF POSSI#1 ALL[ !
* 6SEE ! MA*9ES T W 2 US$ = 8 C>E 2FH&1
& ALL[ HM 6MEET ! /AFF :O W 2 P]=M+ !
PROC$URES4
  ,L MO/ DY+ P1 *N T5D 6WORRY AB ^? !Y
>E L1V+ M ?AN AB !MVS4 ,N"E LIE 6A * AB
A PROC$URE N 2+ PA9;L IF X IS GO+ 6BE4
,GIVE ! * Z M* 3TROL Z POSSI# OV] H] [N
C>E4 ,ASK : >M OR LEG ! * PREF]S IF AN
9JEC;N M/ 2 GIV54 ,ALL[ ! * 6*OOSE :
PAJAMAS %E WI%ES 6WE>4 ,IF ! * HAS NO
APPETITE1 TRY 6S]VE FOOD 9 T9Y POR;NS4
,MU69 T9S MAKE A GD S]V+ SIZE 2C EA*
POR;N IS SMALL & Y C S]VE A V>IETY (
FOODS4
  ,REMEMB]1 H["E1 IF Y >E N ! P>5T OR
LEGAL GU>DIAN (A *1 Y %D N 4CUSS ! *'S
D1? )! * UN.S Y H P]MIS.N F ! P>5T OR
LEGAL GU>DIAN4
  ,H"O/Y IS / ! BE/ POLICY IF ! ADULT IS
DY+ &! * IS H1L?Y4 ,IF ! ADULT P]MITS1
LET ! * "K T ! ADULT IS DY+ 2C HE/%E IS
DY+1 N 2C ! * ?"\ X WD 2 FUN 6H
,GRANNY'S ROOM AF %E DI$4
  8,GRANNY WD WANT Y 6H H] ROOM AF %E
DIES & %E WD WANT Y 6H FUN LIV+ 9 X4
,%E'S DY+ 2C %E HAS C.ER1 N 2C Y >E
LOOK+ =W>D 6HAV+ H] ROOM40 ,!N1 IF Y C1
GET ,GRANNY 6TALK 6! * AB H[ ! * WD L
6REDECORATE & H FRS OV]4 ,I AM US+ ? Z
AN EXAMPLE1 B H1L?Y *N (T5 D ?9K "S"O IS
DY+ 2C !Y GOT MAD & WI%$ X "O "D1 OR 2C
!Y 7! *7 DID "S?+ BAD OR MISBEHAV$4
,REASSURE ! * T _! LOV$ "O IS N DY+ 2C
%E 7! *7 WI%$ X 9 A FIT ( ANG]4
  ,ALL[ ! * 6"PICIPATE 9 C>EGIV+ Z M* Z
POSSI#4 ,X W MAKE ! DY+ PROCESS LESS
F"R5+4 ,IF ! * C DRAW & LIKES TO1 H ! *
DRAW PICTURES = _! DY+ LOV$ "O4 ,H ! *
&! P]SON :O IS DY+ *OOSE : PICTURE !
LOV$ "O W TAKE ) HM 9 8 C(F94 ,ANO!R
OP;N IS 6H ! * GIVE _! DY+ LOV$ "O A TOY
OR /U6$ ANIMAL 6TAKE ) !M :5 !Y >E
BURI$4
  ,I WD /R;GLY ADVISE AG/ -P>+ ! DY+
PROCESS ) GO+ 6SLEEP4 8,:5 ,I 0 LL & MY
"F DI$1 ,I 0 AFRAID = YE>S AF T 6G
6SLEEP 2C ! ADULTS >.D ME TOLD ME T MY
"F _H G"O 6SLEEP10 SD A FR AF R1D+ ?
*APT]4 8,I KNEW MY ,DA4Y WASN'T -+ BACK
& ,I 0 AFRAID IF ,I W5T 6SLEEP T ,I WD
DIE & H 6L1VE MY FAMILY1 TOO40
  ,SAY "S?+ L1 8,:5 "S"O'S BODY DIES1 X
QUITS BR1?+ & TALK+ & X C'T FEEL PA9
ANYMORE4 ,B Y C KEEP ! MO/ IMPORTANT "P
) Y 0REMEMB]+ ALL ! FUN ?+S Y'ALL US$ 6D
TGR40

,PETS NE$ 6SAY GD-BYE1 TOO
  ,MAKE SURE IF Y C T ! PET 9 ! FAMILY
IS N LEFT \ (! PROCESS ( SAY+ GD-BYE &
GRIEV+ AFW4 ,I WD N"E H ?"\ ( WRIT+ ?
SEC;N _H X N BE5 =! LOV+ REL,N%IP T
EXI/$ 2T MY "F :O DI$ :ILE ,I 0 9 HI<
S*OOL1 & \R DA*SHUND1 ,HANSEL4 ,I SAV$ !
M"OY = HM :5 ,I 0 A JUNIOR 9 HI< S*OOL
0N EAT+ LUN* = ?REE WEEKS4 ,S9CE !
GU>DIAN ANGELS _H =EW>N$ ME :ILE ,I 0 9
HI< S*OOL AB MY "F'S D1?1 ,I DECID$ ,I
BETT] GET U A PUPPY4 ,2SS1 ,I H ALW LOV$
DOGS & H 6H !M 9 MY LIFE4
  ,HANSEL WAS1 EV5 Z A PUPPY1 V L>GE4
,HE 0 S BLACK HE %"O1 EXCEPT =! TAN
M>K+S ON 8 FEET1 J ABV 8 EYEBR[S1 & J "U
8 TAIL4 ,HE 0 S A6EC;NATE T HE DEVELOP$
8 [N FOLL[+ ( FRS :O WD GREET ME S !Y CD
PET ,HANSEL :5 ,MAMA DROPP$ ME (F &
PICK$ ME UP F S*OOL 9 ! AFN4 ,HE
TRADI;N,Y RODE ON TOP ( MY S*OOL BOOKS S
HE CD LOOK \ ! W9D[4
  ,EV5 MY "M :O DIDN'T RE,Y L DOGS LOV$
,HANSEL4 ,:5 ,I ASK$ :Y %E /OPP$ 6LIFT
HM D[N ! /EP L1D+ 96! BACKY>D :ILE %E
TOOK \ ! TRA% 9/1D ( L1V+ HM 9 ! H\SE
0HMF1 %E REPLI$ 9 A VOICE FILL$ ) GRT
9DIGN,N1 8,HE'S J A LL PUPPY2 HE'D CRY
ALL 0HMF 9 ! H\SE40 ,&1 "DS LAT]1
8,HANSEL ?9KS HE'S "S?+1 N[4 ,HE GOT D[N
! /EP ALL 0HMF TD & W5T ) ME 6TAKE \ !
TRA%4 ,HE WA7$ 8 :OLE BODY & CRI$ &
DIDN'T TAKE 8 EYES (F ME ! :OLE "T4 ,HE
0 S PR\D ( HMF40
  8,I WI% Y _HN'T B"\ ! LL SON-(-A-
BIT*10 GR\*$ MY "F ! F/ "T ,HANSEL BR1!D
8 SWEET-SMELL+ PUPPY BR1? 9 MY "F'S FACE
:ILE BIT+ 8 NOSE1 8,I L HM ALR40 ,HANSEL
& MY "F DEVELOP$ ! HABIT ( TAK+ NAPS AF
LUN* ON ! C\* 9 ! D5 Z MY "F'S *E/ PA9S
GREW WORSE4 8,HANSEL1 ,GOD DAMN X1 ,I SD
Y CDN'T GET UP "H10 WD 2 FOLL[$ 0! S.D (
HUMAN & DOG MAK+ !MVS -=TA#1 & ,HANSEL
WD G 6SLEEP 2T MY "F'S LEGS ) 8 H1D ON
MY "F'S TUMMY4 ,HANSEL 0 ALW OV]JOY$ :5
MY "F'S PICKUP WD DRIVE HOME F "W1 & WD
M "TS ?AN N1 ANTICIPATE HM 0AB FIVE
M9UTES & 2 WAIT+ AT ! DOOR4
  ,:5 MY "F DI$1 ,HANSEL'S GRIEF 0 T]RI#
62HOLD4 ,HE WD RUN 6! DOOR AT ! S.D ( MY
"F'S PICKUP1 !N TUCK 8 TAIL & REFUSE
6GREET :AT"E 9T]LOP] _H _H ! UNMITIGAT$
GALL 6BE DRIV+ X4 ,MY UNCLE F ,OKLAHOMA1
AN AVID DOG LOV] HMF1 DROVE D[N )
,MAMA'S SI/] = MY "F'S FUN]AL4 ,! MORN+
( MY "F'S FUN]AL1 ,I ASK$ ,UNCLE ,C4,P4
6DRIVE ME 6! FUN]AL HOME & MAKE SURE ,I
_H "S "T AL"O ) MY "F4 ,WE PUT ,HANSEL 9
! C> Z USUAL4 ,ON ! WAY1 ,I EXPLA9$
,HANSEL'S PRO#M4 ,UNCLE ,C4,P4 WRAPP$
,HANSEL 9 8 W9T] COAT & W5T ) ME 96!
FUN]AL HOME4 ,I SP5T A FEW M9UTES REGAL+
MY "F )! T[N GOSSIP ,I ?"\ WD AMUSE HM4
,I TALK$ 6HM ! SAME WAY ,I _H :5 8 BODY
0 BR1?+4 ,MY UNCLE1 "U ! GUISE ( PAY+ 8
[N RESPECTS1 ALL[$ ,HANSEL 6VIEW & SNIFF
8 BODY4
  ,! MORTICIAN :O 0 A FAMILY FR1
PROBABLY WDN'T H M9D$ ,HANSEL -+ 9 6SAY
GD-BYE4 ,H["E1 ,UNCLE ,C4,P4 & ,I DECID$
"! 7 PROBABLY "S SORT ( LIC5S+ RULES AB
PETS 9 ! FUN]AL HOME1 S WE DIDN'T ASK
P]MIS.N4 ,AC 6,UNCLE ,C4,P41 ,HANSEL
SNI6$ MY "F'S BODY1 %U4]$ SLI<TLY1 !N
2CAME V /1 PUTT+ 8 H1D & TAIL D[N & :9+
S(TLY4
  ,AFW1 HE DIDN'T ACT NE>LY S 4APPO9T$
AB MY "F N DRIV+ UP 9 8 PICKUP1 & HE
AB&ON$ 8 AIM.S :9+ & LOOK+ = MY "F >.D !
H\SE4 ,HE 2GAN 6DICTATE "S (! RUNN+ (!
H\SE4 ,WE ATE SUPP] :5 X 0 "T 6FE$
,HANSEL4 ,WE W5T 6B$ :5 ,HANSEL W5T &
GOT 9 MY B$ AT NI<T4 ,WE GOT UP 9 !
MORN+S :5 ,HANSEL NE$$ 6BE LET \ 6G 6!
BA?ROOM4 ,& ,HANSEL 0 "! 6PROVIDE -PANY
= MY "M DUR+ ! "D :5 ,I 0 9 S*OOL & 6*E]
U UP :5 WE 7 N DO+ WELL4
  ,= OBVI\S LEGAL R1SONS1 ,I AM N SU7E/+
T WE ALL TAKE \R PETS 96PLACES ": !Y >E
N LEG,Y ALL[$4 ,! ONLY ANIMALS ,I "K ( T
>E ALL[$ 9 S* PLACES Z HOSPITALS1 FUN]AL
HOMES1 & HOSPICES1 Z WELL Z O!R PUBLIC
PLACES1 >E S]VICE DOGS = P ) 4ABILITIES1
GUIDE DOGS = P :O >E BL1 & HE>+ E> DOGS
= P :O >E D1F4 ,H["E1 S9CE 2+ MADE AW>E
( MY "F'S D1? HELP$ ,HANSEL ) 8 GRIEV+
PROCESS1 ,I DECID$ 69CLUDE A FEW ?"\S ON
H[ PETS C SAY GD-BYE 6_! HUMAN LOV$ "OS4

,H[ YR PET C SAY GD-BYE1 TOO
  ,IF YR FR :O DIES AT HOME IS V CLOSE
6! FAMILY PET1 2 SURE 6LET ! PET SNIFF
YR FR'S BODY 2F X IS TAK5 AWAY4 ,IF Y >E
FAMILI> 5 )! DY+ PROCESS 6DET]M9E :5 YR
FR 2G9S ! PROCESS ( 8ACTIVE DY+10 Y MAY
EV5 ALL[ ! PET 6BE PRES5T Z ! _S L1VES
YR FR'S BODY4 ,"S NURS+ HOMES & HOSPICES
ALL[ ANIMALS 6VISIT ! RESID5TS1 & "S
ALL[ ANIMALS 6LIVE ON ! FACIL;Y4 ,I H
HE>D AB S"EAL ANIMAL RESID5TS :O W G &
SIT )A DY+ P]SON1 & W N L1VE _! SIDE
UNTIL ! _S L1VES ! DY+ P]SON'S BODY4
,MAK+ ^! >RANGE;TS IS N H>D 6D IF ! PET
LIVES 9 ! H\SE4 ,IF ! PET LIVES \TSIDE1
& / HAS A CLOSE REL,N%IP ) YR FR1 ALL[ !
PET 6SAY GD-BYE :5 YR FR IS BR"\ \TSIDE
ON 8 WAY F ! H\SE 6! FUN]AL HOME4 ,D N
ASK P]MIS.N (! /RET*]BE>]S 6D ?4 ,SAY
9/1D1 8,WAIT A M9UTE 2F Y PUT HM 9 !
HE>SE4 ,I'M GO+ 6LET ,SPOT SAY GD-BYE
S9CE ? W 2 8 LA/ *.E & !Y 7 V CLOSE40 ,Y
C FOLL[ ! SAME BASIC PROC$URES IF YR FR
LIVES & DIES 9 AN 9-H\SE HOSPICE OR
FACIL;Y T ALL[S ANIMAL VISITORS4 ,USE
-MON S5SE4 ,IF ! PET HASN'T SE5 8 HUMAN
LOV$ "O =A L;G "T 2C ( AN EXT5D$ /AY 9 A
FACIL;Y T DOES N ALL[ ANY ANIMAL
VISITORS1 ! PET HAS ALR D"O XS GRIEV+4
,! PET MAY N NE$ 6SAY GD-BYE 6HIS LOV$
"O "U ^? CIRCUM/.ES4 ,ONLY MAKE SPECIAL
>RANGE;TS =! ANIMAL VISITOR 6VIEW ! BODY
IF1 9 YR JUDG;T1 ! PET IS / GRIEV+ = 8
LOV$ "O4

,4ABIL;Y &! ,M$ICAL ,PR(ES.N
  ,IF Y H A 4ABIL;Y T N"E *ANGES 7S* Z
BL;S OR D1F;S71 & Y >E 9 ! HOSPITAL =
ANO!R R1SON 7S* Z SURG]Y T IS UNRELAT$
6YR 4ABIL;Y71 D N EXPECT ! M$ICAL
PR(ES.NALS 6"K AB H[ 6D1L ) YR 4ABIL;Y4
,IF Y >E 8OLD 4A#D0 7IF Y H _H YR
4ABIL;Y =A L;G "T7 Y PROBABLY "K ?4 ,IF
YR 4ABIL;Y IS NEW1 Y MAY 2 4APPO9T$
6R1LIZE T AL? ! M$ICAL PR(ES.NALS "K H[
6TR1T ! 3DI;N = : Y H BE5 HOSPITALIZ$1
!Y >E PROBABLY CLUE.S AB YR PRIM>Y
4ABIL;Y4 ,TRY N 6BE 4APPO9T$1 & 2 PREP>$
6D "S $UCAT+ IF NEC4
  ,Z A RESULT1 ,I SP5T "S ( MY "T $UCAT+
! /AFF AB BL;S4 ,"! IS NO R1SON :Y !
NURSE :O "WS ON ! BACK PATI5T FLOOR %D
"K ANY?+ AB BL;S OR ANY O!R 4ABIL;Y4 ,"!
>E H>DLY ANY CLASSES EI 9 NURS+ OR
M$ICAL S*OOLS T D1L ) 4ABIL;Y1 & MO/
9/ITU;NS D N 9VITE 4ABIL;Y ADVOCACY
GR\PS 9 6D 9-S]VICE TRA9+4
  ,? 0 BR"\ HOME 6ME 9 A V 3CRETE MANN]
:5 ,I 0 F/ ALL[$ 6GET UP 0MYF4 8,YR
BRACE IS "H2 "T 6/>T GETT+ UP10 ANN\NC$
,B>B>A :O _H ANO!R NURSE ) H]4 ,I R1LIZ$
Z SOON Z !Y APPROA*$ MY B$ T !Y _H NO
CLUE AB H[ 6%[ ME H[ 6GET 9 & \ ( MY
BRACE4 ,I _H NO CLUE EI1 B ,I DECID$
,I'D BETT] DIRECT ? PROJECT4
  ,I 0 3C]N$ T ! PROCESS ( %[+ ME H[
6GET 9 & \ ( MY BRACE MI<T 2COME
EXTREMELY CUMB]"S1 MADE M -PLICAT$ ?AN X
RE,Y 0 2C (! /AFF'S UNFAMILI>;Y )!
CAPACITIES ( MO/ BL P 6LE>N NEW SKILLS
QKLY4 ,I 0 EV5 M AFRAID T IF ! /AFF 0
TOO T5TATIVE 9 _! ATTEMPTS 6%[ ME :AT
6D1 MY SURG]Y WD 2 5DANG]$4 ,MAK+ ! WR;G
MOVE AT ! WR;G /AGE (! GAME ? E>LY 9 MY
PO/-OP RECOV]Y CD PRES5T A V DANG]\S
SITU,N4 ,AT T PO9T1 2C MY H1L+ PROCESS
_H J 2GUN1 ,I CD / H 5D$ UP P>ALYZ$ F AB
! MI4LE ( MY BACK ALL ! WAY D[N1 _H ,I
BE5 ALL[$ 6MAKE A WR;G MOVE4
  8,GIVE X "H10 ,I EXCLAIM$1 & TOOK MY
BRACE F ,B>B>A4 ,I KNEW T 9 ORD] 6TAKE
*>GE ( MY SITU,N1 ! F/ ?+ ,I _H 6D 0
6GET MY H&S ON ! BRACE S ,I CD EXAM9E X
9 ORD] 6"K :AT "QS 6ASK4 ,X 0 A R
9TIMIDAT+-LOOK+ DEVICE ) METAL B>S &
PA4+ 9 ! FRONT1 &A L>GE PLA/IC /RAP )
,VELCRO1 T OBVI\SLY W5T >.D MY BACK4 ,!
TWO METAL PADS COV]$ ) L1!R LAY J 2L MY
COLL>B"O & J ABV MY PELVIC B"O4 ,Z !Y
ROLL$ ME ONTO MY "R SIDE1 !Y 7 PL1S$ T
,I _H ALR 2GUN R1*+ =! VELCRO & TUCK+ X
>.D MY BACK & "U MY "R SIDE4 ,:5 ,I
ROLL$ BACK ON MY BACK1 ,I 0 !N A# 6PULL
! /RAP TI<TLY & BUCKLE X AT MY "R SIDE4
,"! IS AN >T 6ROLL+ OV] & GETT+ UP ) YR
BACK HELD ABSOLUTELY /RAI<T 9 A METAL
DEVICE1 B N[ T ,I _H 2GUN MOV+1 ! RE/ 0
EASY4 ,?\< ,I H>DLY "E WE> MY BRACE ANY
M1 ,I / ROLL 9 & \ ( B$ ) MY BACK
/RAI<T2 X IS SECOND NATURE 6ME N[4
  ,ONCE ,I 0 SITT+ UP ) MY FEET HANG+
OV] ! SIDE (! B$1 X O3URR$ 6ME T ,I WD
PROBABLY H 6T1* ^! M$ICAL PR(ES.NALS H[
6S]VE Z A SI<T$ GUIDE = ME4 ,! /AFF 0
SURPRIS$ 6LE>N T ,I 0 N DIZZY F 2+ 9 B$
S L;G4 ,SURE 5\<1 ONCE ,I /OOD UP1 "! 0
AN AWKW>D PAUSE1 & ,I 2GAN ! PROCESS 7AL
N[ SECOND NATURE 6ME7 ( %[+ YET "O M
GR\P ( SIL5T1 />+ P H[ 6GUIDE A BL
P]SON4 ,DUR+ T "T1 !Y LO/ _! /ATUS Z
MEMB]S (! M$ICAL PR(ES.N & 2CAME MEMB]S
(! PUBLIC NE$+ 6BE $UCAT$ AB BL;S4

,SUMM>Y
  ,9 G5]AL1 IF Y >E ! C>EGIV]1 MAKE SURE
Y >E DO+ :AT YR FR WANTS OR NE$S1 N :AT
Y WANT1 OR :AT Y ?9K YR FR %D NE$4 ,IF Y
>E ! PATI5T1 REMEMB]1 ! P]SON VISIT+
7:E!R OR N HE OR %E IS A TRA9$ H1L? C>E
PR(ES.NAL7 _C R1D YR M9D4 ,IF Y H 6BE
MOV$ & _C D X YRF1 TRY 6PICTURE 9 YR M9D
H[ Y WANT 65D UP S Y C BETT] DESCRIBE
:AT Y NE$4 ,LE>N Z M* Z Y C AB !
AFT]E6ECTS ( ANY PROC$URES P]=M$ ON Y &
MAKE SURE YR C>EGIV]S REMEMB] !M1 TOO4
,MAKE YR WI%ES "KN & TRY 6S*$ULE !
DIVI.N ( *ORES 9 ! MO/ E6ICI5T MANN]
POSSI#4