The CHEST Foundation issued a call for stories in 2002, and the 60 stories included in the series were chosen from over 400 submissions. As a leader in end-of-life issues, The Foundation developed Stories at the End of Life as a vehicle to promote physician-family communication and as a resource to help those confronting one of life's most difficult and under-addressed experiences. The aim is to provide healing and closure to its contributors and bring comfort to its readers.
"As a physician treating critically ill patients, I have come to learn that competent, compassionate care and communication can make a difference at the end of a person's life," said D. Robert McCaffree, MD, Master FCCP, and Chair of the ACCP End-of-Life Care NetWork. "It is my hope that through the intimate moments and feelings shared by the contributors, a better dialogue will develop among families, patients, and health-care providers."
The stories are written by people who are living the experience of illness, or by people who have witnessed the peaceful death of a family member, patient, or friend. The stories are about loss, but also contain messages of survival, faith, hope, love, courage, dignity, acceptance, and even humor.
"When I was initially diagnosed with leukemia, I was devastated. But I realized I could play the victim or I could live as fully as possible in the present. Living meant telling my story and getting on with living," said Sally Ann Harvey of Bloomington, Indiana, a story contributor. "Over time, I have realized that my diagnosis was a gift because it has made me do things I never would have done otherwise. I believe life -- the whole circle of life, which includes death -- is about connections. And sharing our personal stories is a way of connecting with each other."
- The series is divided into six booklets, by theme, including:
- Survival
- Poetry, Inspiration, and Reflection
- Communication
- Peace, Acceptance, and Letting Go
- Comfort
- Final Days
The series of six booklets is presented in a hardbound case, and is available for $35.00 through The CHEST Foundation at 1-800-343-2227. Proceeds from sales go to support The CHEST Foundation's end-of-life care programs for physicians and their patients. For more information, visit www.chestfoundation.org.
This resource was developed by The CHEST Foundation in partnership with Ambassadors Group members, a volunteer support arm that includes relatives and associates of ACCP members. The group plays an important role in communicating with ACCP members and their patients in the communities where they work and live. Story submissions were reviewed and selected by project co-chairs Norine Lever, MA, and Rosemary Bone Mason, RN, along with the ACCP Publications Committee.
CHEST 2003 is the 69th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians, being held in Orlando, October 25-30. ACCP represents more than 15,700 members who provide clinical respiratory, critical care, and cardiothoracic patient care in the United States and throughout the world. ACCP's mission is to promote the prevention and treatment of diseases of the chest through leadership, education, research, and communication. The CHEST Foundation's mission is to improve patient care and lung health at the local level.