Being There
A memoir by Aimi Medina
Being There is a story written as a companion for caregivers. I take you along and share the daily ups and downs on a nineteen month journey after my father suffered a massive stroke. I am the friend who understands the emotional rollercoaster of being involved with caring for a loved one tragically left with a minimal quality of life due to an unfortunate life-saving measure, a feeding tube, which prolonged the inevitable with pain, misery and heartache for all. I am the friend who shares the deepest pain, the torturous amount of guilt, and the inner thoughts of wishing for death. I am also the friend who finds happiness in the smallest moments, shares the strength of a family who pulls together, and finds forgiveness and hope when life takes unexpected turns.
My story revolves around medical decisions that were made without explanation of possible consequences, ethical considerations, legal implications and insufficient family consultation. Through my story, medical professionals should see the necessity of communicating and including the family on decisions for the incapacitated.
I was the baby of the family and now my role had changed. I fought hard to find the inner strength to be strong when my father was weak. I brought life and beauty to him when he couldn’t see it for himself. I share stories along the way, life lessons, and the heroes I would never have met. All the while, I spoke for my father’s silence, held his hand when there was nothing more I could give, and together watched the beauty of the crape myrtle trees come to life each summer. Being There takes you along as it happened and shares how hospice was able to provide peace in the end – for everyone.
Guest Author
Aimi Medina was a guest author for Hospicetimes. Read her article, “Time Matters: The Need to Improve the Planning and Timing of Transport to Hospice House.” Jan.2014
Author Spotlight: ‘Being There’, Aimi Medina, Vero Beach – TCPalm.com (local newspaper) March 2014
“Being There” – A Companion For Caregivers, Hospice Times, January 2014
Aimi Medina participated in the second #blog4care Carnival on Caring for Aging Parents. It was supported by Caring Across Generations http://caringacross.org/
Canadian Virtual Hospice featured “Being There” on their book resource list. July 2014 http://bit.ly/1tKFweW
Publishers Weekly Magazine, June 2014 edition “Being There” by Aimi Medina http://bit.ly/1lqnfvM
Confessions of a Master Caregiver featured Aimi Medina as a guest poet with her poem, “If Only for a Moment.” Sept. 2014 http://confessionsofamastercaregiver.com/2014/09/05/guest-poem-if-only-for-a-moment/
DailyCaring.com gave a book review, featured “Being There” as a resource and used two donated books as a promotion for readers to join their web site. Sept. 2014
Readers’ Favorite Review by Fiza Pathan, 5 stars. Sept. 6, 2015 Readers’ Favorite Review
Biography
Aimi Medina grew up in Coral Gables, Florida. She resides in Vero Beach, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University in elementary education and is a certified teacher with the state of Florida. She later became certified in art. She now teaches art to students at a local elementary school. She continues to find art, in all its forms, a way to express and share the tender moments of life with all who listen.
Order Being There
To purchase or preview Being There in paperback on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1lLJewt
Kindle edition: http://amzn.to/1sk594s
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