Lean on Me - Cancer through a Carer's Eyes By Author - Lorraine Kember L. Kember Publications, 2003 130 pp ISBN 0646499696

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

This is one woman's very moving story of caring for her husband for two years while he battled mesothelioma.

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.

Her focus on his quality of life as she educates herself about the medical aspects of his care is quite remarkable, and would be inspirational to others in a similar situation and would empower them with realistic hope.

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. I have not read another book written by a lay person which so captures the essence of the battle against cancer, which also displays such a thorough understanding of the disease and its complexities.

Lorraine's refreshing discussions, thoughts and views really do provide a good insight to the trials and tribulations that accompany an illness such as this but also emphasize the good things that they experienced together and the benefits they got from their treatment. It is this writing that actually gives such hope to anybody who is potentially facing the same journey. I believe that this is a truly amazing book that everybody with cancer should read. Any families who have been touched by this disease will undoubtedly find in it inspiration and hope.

Stephen Carmody, Manager - Hospice Care Service

"Lean on Me" is indeed a compelling read and, I would further contend, an essential resource for all who work with patients who face life-limiting or terminal illness. It is easy for health professionals, no matter their level of expertise, to assume what patients or their Carer's may be experiencing. 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

It takes courage to truly travel on the road with a loved one facing a terminal illness. Lorraine takes us with her on that journey through the entries in her diary, capturing so graphically, the roller-coaster of emotions experienced by many carers supporting their loved ones through this most difficult time.

To others on a similar journey (or who have already completed theirs), I'm sure this book will bring comfort from the practical advise Lorraine offers from her own experiences, and relief to know that someone else shares their needs and feelings without guilt. 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. 'Lean on Me' Personal experience is undoubtedly a powerful medium and one that invites the reader to share in the journey involving loss, and the grief that followed. The book is well written, informative and easy to read. The photographs and poems keep the information in context. 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. I would recommend it as an optional text to students undertaking such studies as I feel it would supplement the theoretical information required by such a speciality.