Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully: A Journey with Cancer and Beyond

by Becky Bohan and Nancy Manahan

Book Overview

These are collections of Mike Fileys best work from his popular and long-running Toronto Sun column, "The Way We Were." This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1592981798
• ISBN13: 9781592981793
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: Bookhouse Fulfillment
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A beautiful tribute to not only a well-loved person but to life in general

Reviewed by Vicki Landes for Reader Views (1/08) Nancy Manahan and Becky Bohan team up to write a beautiful tribute to the life of Manahan's deceased sister-in-law in "Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully: A Journey with Cancer and Beyond." The authors hope not only to remember their loved one in print but to share her extraordinary passage from unthinkable diagnosis to dignified death. "Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully" is the touching story of Diane Manahan - wife, mother, grandmother, sister, colleague, and friend - and her deliberate pathway toward the unavoidable end of her life. Stricken with cancer, Diane received the short gift of remission before the disease returned with a vengeance and ultimately caused her death. Although countless families have had to endure such a painful ordeal, Diane's story brings an enlightened hope and calming peace as she looks at her situation with an unusual perspective. To most, death is the ultimate unknown - terrifying and avoided in conversation. Instead of settling in this mindset, Diane chose to live and love each day to the fullest while openly communicating her final wishes on most of her burial and memorial services. "Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully" is not only a deeply heartfelt story of a woman's life but a guidebook for those facing similar situations and would like to intentionally leave behind a beautiful legacy. Both Diane's story and the authors' lessons from her life touch the soul and encourage the heart to see death as more than merely `the end.' Manahan and Bohan write with such emotion and love that I found myself mourning Diane's death but conversely, rejoicing in her conscious life. They perfectly capture this woman's spirit with their style, one which brightly radiates from each page. Since death in inevitable for everyone "Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully" is a book many adults will find of great interest, especially those having to watch a loved one suffer from a terminal illness. Further, those undergoing a disease themselves and wanting to approach their deaths with more purpose would also greatly benefit from reading this book. I found that the most profound aspect of Manahan and Bohan's writing was that Diane - a non-violent person - didn't view her treatments as a `fight,' a `war' going on between her medicine and the invading cells, or that she was a victim of cancer. Instead and more positively, she was simply living with cancer - a peaceful journey full of love and mature acceptance even during her conventional and complementary therapies. "Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully" is probably the most profound book on death I've ever read. Manahan and Bohan present a beautiful story of their loved one while offering hope to others that may be facing similar circumstances. A life lesson for anyone wanting to leave a more powerful heritage behind, "Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully" tugs at the heartstrings, lifts the spirit, and pulls the co

A heart-touching journey, and uplifting inspirational resource

Living Consciously Dying Gracefully: A Journey With Cancer and Beyond is a memoir reminiscing about and paying tribute to nursing professor Diane Manahan, a courageous, warm and loving woman. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she chose to blend complementary therapies and orthodox cancer treatments, and she lived a full and vibrant life for five and a half years until her death. Written by Nancy Manahan and Becky Bohan, life-partners who were both graced to know Diane, Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully isn't just about illness and death, but also life and spirituality. A heart-touching journey, and uplifting inspirational resource for anyone going through life-or-death trials or witnessing such challenges visited upon a loved one.

Wisdom Shared Through Living and Dying

Diane Manahan loved life, lived it to the fullest, and shared it with family, friends, colleagues, and students to the end. She was an expert teacher of living a quality life and teaching the art and science of nursing. The authors of this book share her journey with cancer. The book is well organized and written in a compelling way that tells how life choices help "make lemonade out of lemons." As one of her friends I lived this story. I am so pleased that it is written so that those who read it can continue to learn through her deliberate and intuitive wisdom, caring, and gentleness of mind, body, and spirit.

Stunning story of living and dying

Authors Nancy Manahan and Becky Bohan weave the inspiring story of a woman's five-year experience with [...] cancer. We are given the ending in the title of the book, Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully: A Journey With Cancer and Beyond but the essence of the narrative is more about the celebration of a life well-lived in every way. I did not want to read this book. We may all have a loved one who has traveled this frightening journey in some way. Perhaps it is our own path. My own sister is now a seven-year [...] cancer survivor, and I certainly did not want to relive those helpless years when my family was consumed in grief and on an emotional roller coaster, living each day in fear for the next. But this is the story of a very different model of one woman's choice to "deal with life's gifts and life's uncertainties as they have been thrust upon me." From her initial journal entry on the first page, Diane Manahan, a nurse, a teacher, and sister-in-law to Nancy Manahan, invites us to experience the life she tried to live in "an out-loud way." The book is in four parts: -- This Long Journey with Cancer as My Companion -- A Graceful Death -- Living On. The authors reference Diane's own journals, interviews with her family and friends, as well as their own personal relationship with her. -- The last section, Guidebook: Lessons from Diane on dealing with serious illness or death, contains practical suggestions for individuals, caregivers, and anyone seeking a loving and spiritual experience in "living consciously and dying gracefully." This is an unforgettable, deeply touching and honestly written book and I highly recommend it. It's not about fearing death--it's about embracing life. Armchair Interviews says: It is a difficult journey that we might all face one day. Learning how others handle such situations is helpful.

A thought-provoking, inspirational book

"Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully" is excellent. I believe this book will make a difference in people's lives -- just as Diane's life and death made such a deep and positive difference in the lives of so many of us who were blessed to know her.