Ms. Catherine Canning

I reside in South Texas where I am a single mother of my adopted son. My professional experience and education include 20 years of teaching and a B.A. and M.A. in English. In 1994, a dear friend and colleague of mine was diagnosed with cancer. For reasons the book explains, I offered to be her caregiver while she fought a battle against cancer. I looked for a book to assist me, but I did not find any that were written for the CAREGIVER, and no single book seemed to deal with all prominent issues and questions. So, before my loved one died, I decided I would write that book I was looking for myself so that those who followed me into caregiving would not feel so lost and alone. Following this experience, I was invited to work at the local Hospice Organization as an educator and Bereavement Facilitator for caregiver's, patients, and their families. My three years as a hospice employee served only to validate the need for my book as I went from house to house answering all the same questions I had when I struggled with the caregiving role. The successful adoption of my son as an infant required that I return to a teaching career as it is more conducive to single parenting. Had that adoption not worked out, I would probably still be with hospice. I loved the work I did there. I never doubted that I made a difference. And, if you are a caregiver, never doubt that you do, too.