Mesothelioma Resource - Reviews

Mesothelioma Resource – Reviews

By Lorraine Kember

"Lean on Me" Cancer through a carer's eyes
Lorraine Kember (2003)
130pp.ISBN 0 646 49969 6

As Janet Craven, palliative care nurse, and Andrew Dean, palliative care physician note in their respective forwards to this book, Lean on Me is a unique and intensely personal description of a writer's responses to her husband Brian's diagnosis, treatments and final death from mesothelioma. While Brian's death is factually noted, Lorraine's description of the moment is emotionally conveyed in a short poem and diary entry.

Roger Woodruff, Director of Palliative Care, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

The emotional insights she shares with her diary would be a great comfort to anyone caring for someone with advanced cancer or any other terminal illness.

This little book should have a place on the shelf of any hospice or palliative care service, to be loaned out to the ones who care for our patients and whose struggles and problems are often hidden by those of the patient.

Strongly recommended.

Dr Andrew Dean, MB Ch.B. MRCP (UK). FRACP - Consultant Physician in Palliative Care, Perth

I believe that this book is truly unique. It combines a thorough, warm, insightful and intelligent description of a very personal journey. The way that Brian and Lorraine approach the illness and its treatment really provides hope for all who read this book.

Stephen Carmody, Manager - Hospice Care Service

Lorraine’s exploration of her feelings, as she cares for her dying husband Brian, is a revelation. I believe this book is an extraordinary insight into the challenge that confronts ordinary people facing life-limiting disease, and would commend it as an excellent grounding resource for health professionals who work alongside those facing terminal illness.

Janet Craven. RN, Palliative Care Nurse - Silver Chain Hospice Care Service

Likewise, professional carers involved in Palliative Care will gain useful insight into the depth of despair that carer’s experience, but are unable to articulate to others as Lorraine does so well to her diary and expresses in her poems.

Debra Mooney, PhD Faculty of Nursing and Science - Griffith University
Queensland, Australia

Thank you Lorraine for the opportunity to read your book. The book is well written, informative and easy to read. My opinion is that this book provides a valuable source of qualitative information and should be of assistance to those working in palliative care settings.