Description This book addresses the physical and emotional aspects a dying person encounters It explains how to care for a dying patient or loved one, how to make and keep a dying patient comfortable, and what signs and symptoms to expect as the organs shut down and the physical body changes. It helps the caregivers/family members be more sensitive to the potential discomforts and anticipates how they might handle a situation before it occurs. This book explains how to communicate with a dying patient; how a dying patient communicates; when it's best not to turn a dying patient; what a good/bad death is (and what contributes to each); also subjects like oxygen delivery, roommate considerations, postmortem care and more. Because this particular version was revised for school use, some areas of the dying process have been omitted due to diversity on spiritual beliefs; however, the spiritual information is limited to the grieving process and how to communicate with the patient and family. For a detail explanation of what happens on a person's deathbed, see future books to be published. Brenda is also currently writing a children's book explaining the dying process in a simple, understandable manner that allows a child to know what to expect as their friend or loved one declines.Final NoteSome people prepare for death and when that time comes they are ready; however, most of us feel when death comes it's forced upon us. We act as if it is foreign and we have never heard of it. It's easier not to talk about it. But we must talk. Preparation brings comfort. Ignoring something that's a part of life doesn't make it go away. - Brenda Vickers Johnson
About the Author: About the Author Ms. Brenda Johnson (oldest daughter of city councilman, Joseph "Sunny" Vickers and Jackie Vickers) was born and raised in Valdosta, Georgia, where she started her nursing career as a CNA. Brenda completed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) School in 1983 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Brenda then furthered her education by attending Valdosta Technical Institute (VTI), completing a diploma for LVN (licensed vocational nurse). Years later she returned to VTI as an adjunct instructor where she taught both CNAs and LPN/LVNs. Brenda relocated to Dallas, Texas, in 2000. Then she began caring for the actively dying patient in twelve-hour shifts at bedside. She has personally witnessed over 1,500 deaths and counting. In 2004, Brenda began documenting her observations concerning how to care about and manage the signs and symptoms a dying patient encounters. Brenda's main goal is to educate the world on the natural process of dying in hopes that each individual person might feel comfortable with his/her own mortality enough to discuss it openly with family members-a subject that's "taboo" in most families all the way to the very end, resulting in no one truly having closure, especially the person dying. Brenda attended Southern Bible Institute and Dallas Theological Seminary (Center for Biblical Studies). She lives in Mesquite, Texas, and has one son.