Summary and Reviews of Mind, Body and Soul by Nancy Dahm

Media Reviews

New Hope International Review On-Line - Tony Grist Hassett Dahm believes that the best place for a patient to be treated is in their own home. She shows how the process of dying can be eased and accorded dignity. She gives information on pain relief, nursing, and relevant support agencies, some of it specific to the USA. A catholic herself, she sees the process of dying as a journey into eternal life. In a striking chapter she takes the reader on a path working back to the classical world to hear the Pagan philosophers, Socrates and Marcus Aurelius, discourse on death and immortality. Her religious speculations are kept carefully non-denominational. Without holding out unrealistic hope, she affirms her belief in miracles and the power of prayer. The book is written in an easy, accessible style, with plenty of case histories and personal stories. I would strongly recommend it anyone suffering from advanced cancer or charged with the care of a cancer patient.

  James D'Olimpio, M.D., Director of Palliative Medicine Service This book is unique in that it spans the entire potential of treatment and course of illness. It is written with a refined technical expertise but also has a wonderful spiritual and humanistic perspective. This enhances its value to all patients and their families who are searching for an easy to understand and uplifting resource. The chapters on pain and symptom control are especially well written, as are the clinical cases and personal vignettes Ms. Dahm shares with her readers. The section on end of life care is superb and unlike anything I have read that is available for the lay public. I recommend this book as an invaluable resource and companion for any patient faced with cancer.

 Allan Katz, former Director of management and regional services at the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre. Your work is an insightful and exceptionally well organized touchstone for cancer patients and their family members and friends. Attention to even the most seemingly trivial detail to people who have never encountered the disease makes it obvious that it is based on many years of experience caring for many cancer patients and personal interaction with their extended families at the closest level and at the most vulnerable time. For those who are starting their personal journey with cancer-as the book points out- have faith. Miracles do happen and by reading the book you will be encouraged to learn that a cancer diagnosis is by no means an automatic death sentence. Without a doubt the disease and its treatment create significant life change for all involved. However the book is an incredible resource that teaches that those with the physical and mental and spiritual strength can learn to live with the disease.

 Jennifer Hoadley You have written a truly wonderful book. It is so incredibly helpful. There is so much information that I really needed-I can tell you that if I had been able to use your book from the very beginning of my Dad's illness, things would have been much easier and less terrifying for me. Also, I really can't think of where anyone could go to have a resource like your book which is written from such an "advocacy" point of view. As you know, this has been a very difficult time for my Dad, me and my family and this is the first thing I've read, (and I've done a lot of reading and research), that has been not only able to provide the information I need in a language I can understand, but to reach me and touch me on an intellectual and emotional level. I really can't thank you enough for sending your fabulous book. It must be such a gratifying feeling to know how many thousands or millions of people you will help with your caring and thoughtful work

 Paolo L. Manfredi, M.D., Pain and Palliative Care Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Ms. Dahm has succeeded in the challenging accomplishment of delivering a well-rounded book for patients and families confronted with cancer. She guides the reader through a holistic approach to the numerous problems faced by patients with cancer and at the same time she delivers up-to-date scientific information. Through this book patients and families will come to an understanding of how to face the continuous and upcoming challenges associated with advanced cancer. Ms. Dahm's background as an experienced nurse transpires from her attention to the "important" symptoms such as pain, nausea and shortness of breath, as well as the small details of patient care...Although the true value of the book is probably as a whole, segments of it can be used as a reference manual in the care of patients with advanced cancer. It is natural to recommend this book to patients and families with advanced cancer