http://thefightofourlife.ca Patent advocacy is something that anyone dealing with the health care system needs. It is a critical element in ensuring as successful an outcome as possible. In her book, "The Fight of Our Life", Catherine Hawley provides a guide and a manual, with real examples, of what you must do and know to get out of the hospital alive. Surviving a hospital stay and receiving the most effective rehabilitation and physical therapy possible means you need to understand the myriad of things that can go wrong and how to combat the errors and miscommunication that can occur. Hospital workers, doctors and specialists don't get up in the morning determined to do harm, but harm happens because of bureaucracy, transcription errors, the lack of continuity in terms of staff providing care, unquestioning acceptance and because prognosis is an art, not a science. You need to have someone who is knowledgeable acting as your advocate, when you are not able to. Someone who can keep track of treatment, medications, food reactions etc. The list of side effects from drugs is long and interactions are not necessarily well understood. Only somebody familiar with the treatment history is going to be able to make intelligent decisions, and no one in the hospital is tasked with doing that job, so it's up to you or someone you trust.

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2. A True Story of Crisis, Hope and Love

3. Bill underwent surgery on January 20th to remove a mass
of tissue in his frontal lobe.
He was discharged on February 4th, walking, talking and teasing
me that I would have to look after all the cooking for a while.
On February 13th I woke up to find Bill breathing but unconscious.
An hour later were in an ambulance, on our way back to
Kingston General

5. We returned home on February 17th, but a week later, the crisis reoccurred.

7. After a number of incidents, and just a month after Bill had been readmitted, the doctor told me,
“He has some cognitive issues and is unlikely to benefit from rehabilitation.
We believe Bill’s circumstances require institutional care. We don’t think
he is safe to return home.”
I interrupted whatever was coming next. “My husband is fifty-six years old.
There is not a chance in hell I am going to let you dump him into an
institution!”

9. “The Fight of Our Life” is the story of Catherine and Bill’s struggles
battling our health care system for appropriate medical care and
rehabilitation.
It is both a sobering 'patient beware' tale and a soaring love story;
a dramatic and engaging read with clear warnings of how readers
should prepare for medical struggles ahead.

10. "The Fight of Our Life is an excellent book, an important book. One that anyone
with health issues should read. Or anyone with a loved one with health issues
should read. The main thrust of this book is that everyone needs an advocate
with them when they get involved in the health care system. We all need a
champion to keep a watchful eye, to ask questions, to speak for us when we cannot."
Ray Herbert

11. “While reading ‘The Fight of Our Life’ I felt a roller coaster of emotions, from
anger to amazement, shock to pure joy, appreciation to alarm….There are joyful,
laugh out-loud moments, and a beautiful love story within.
This book raises awareness of the inadequacies and "mishaps" of medical systems
in general and how they can fail us.
The author, Catherine Hawley, also shows how vital it is to be or have your own
advocate to ensure adequate care. Great lessons in the Appendix to assist any
and all of us.”
Stephanie Williams

12. “A wonderful read. The Fight of Our Life is a real eye opener to our health care
system as well as a true life love story. I highly recommend this book!”
Tammy

13. For more information, please go to:
http://www.thefightofourlife.ca
Catherine is available for speaking engagements for interested groups in the GTA
and Eastern Ontario. You can contact her at thefightofourlife@gmail.com
Catherine is currently working on a follow-up book that provides additional
information about “adverse events” in the health care system and that
recommends many simple but necessary strategies for being pro-active in
achieving the best possible outcomes for anyone dealing with the health care system.

14. http://www.thefightofourlife.ca
thefightofourlife@gmail.com