Reviews*
Everybody Needs a Hippo...“focuses in a clear and humorous way the importance of factoring in Quality of Life considerations when making treatment path decisions.” -- Prostate Awareness Foundation
"This is great! I think your focus, front and center, on quality of life issues is right on. "What gives your life meaning?" "What do you enjoy most?" "Where do you most find a sense of purpose?" are some of our initial questions to patients and families. How a person defines quality of life for themselves in the basis of our palliative care conversations. And these are ongoing, fluid conversations because, of course, what we consider 'quality of life' changes as our condition changes". --MA, BCC, Chaplain Palliative Care Services
"This is great! I think your focus, front and center, on quality of life issues is right on. "What gives your life meaning?" "What do you enjoy most?" "Where do you most find a sense of purpose?" are some of our initial questions to patients and families. How a person defines quality of life for themselves in the basis of our palliative care conversations. And these are ongoing, fluid conversations because, of course, what we consider 'quality of life' changes as our condition changes". --MA, BCC, Chaplain Palliative Care Services
"I was thinking of my friend Steph as I was reading through this too- when she was diagnosed with cancer and how she had described so many of these scenarios- different doctors, opinions, being rushed, friends figuring out how to be supportive, dealing with their own fears with death, deciding to live each day to its fullest in a way I had never seen before, and so much more. And the part about jokes- finding humor where it seems like there shouldn't be. When Steph stopped all treatments and started on hospice- I remember feeling helpless and hopeless until I met her hospice nurse and got out of my head long enough to see the bigger picture. While the goals changed- there was so much love there; and an appreciation for life that I can't find the words for. I remember sitting with Steph and how our conversations changed. We talked about how she appreciated when people admitted they didn't know what to say, but didn't burden her with their feelings either. It's a tricky balance. And finding those support persons has to be so much on the patient." -- Parent of terminally ill teenager
"This is an extremely sensitive and important tale of friends needing to help each other through a painful and unexpected situation. The setting and background are great to set the stage, so to speak. Showing the fear, the doubt, and the ignorance of the unknown has a lot of impact, especially the question of "why me?" The dealing with the illness as friends is the message. I even like the moralizing that the head doctor gets to do with the resident, to show underlying principles of right and wrong in terms of compassion. Running through the three types of doctors is very well done and the responses, or lack of being able to respond, is also very descriptive. Dag's role of being able to digest the information needed and be the buffer and one in control of making the chart (literally and figuratively) is so, so important. (I know this, personally.)"--Retired Educator and recent beneficiary of Hospice
"I just read 'Everybody Needs A Hippo' ~I could relate it to everything that I am going thru. What a gift you have created in so many different ways it will be used. It is BRILLIANT! The new graphics are good and the name of Patch is a wonderfully endearng. Congratulations and thank you I am going to make a chart of possibilities for the mess we are in to see what we may be able to figure out". Retired Businesswoman and Artist
"The story is beautiful and well written. I particularly was pulled in at page 12 and on. The process of deciding which, if any treatment to have, and mixed medial messages. It's the nightmare at the core of every terminal diagnosis. I also liked the part where you say we are all dying. We just don't all know when. It's reassuring." -- Healer
"Wow! That was quite powerful and representative of what most of my patients go through. I think this can be a really useful tool for patients and physicans. Really great work!." -- MD,FACS, Department Chief, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology
"The story is very interesting, emotional, and brings up decisions no one wants to think about until the situation actually happens to them. It's a pretty insightful perspective and very thought provoking. I think I read it about 6 times. I think Teri's artwork is beautiful and her style is perfect for this story. I can't help but feel that part of this story is yours after your diagnosis.. And, writers write about what they know. The jazz/Miles Davis portion is a giveaway. I can see why hospitals would, and should be interested in this".--one half of two multi-talented artists who supports the medical fragility of the other half.
"Very nice Nastase… super descriptive and easy to follow. Could easily relate to the illustrations… and in the end, the story did a great job of making me reflect on how I would be in any or all of these characters roles. I believe that is what your trying to achieve… some sensitivity and reflection… superbly done! Very good… Thanks for allowing me to read it."--- Catholic Priest
“I enjoyed ’Everybody Needs A Hippo’. It kept me intrigued and involved. It was a gentle way of presenting a difficult subject. I'm excited to see you move forward with this useful and much needed book.” I'm anxious to see this come to life. Beautiful illustrations as well. “--Nurse Practitioner
"It's obvious a lot of effort and love is in this project- and the character names are awesome. A lot of times, books for kids about serious health stuff is super sugar-coated and simple- but confusing. This is more blunt- but also shows you can be blunt and incredibly caring at the same time. I really don't think there's a way to shorten it. And I love that you guys touched on the subject of finding power in living the rest of your life the way you want to. I think too often we see the option of no treatment as 'giving up', but it's not. There's never one right answer, and yet there are so many right answers, all different for different people, phases, - you guys really touched on that as well". -- Present Caregiver
"Congratulations to everyone on a great , concise and very helpful book. It outlines so much of what I had to learn the hard way during Gillian's decline and death and some things I wish I had known, particularly on being, or finding, an advocate, for her. Both of us had such frustrations with the conflicting diagnosis's (I finally learned that each specialist sees illness through the prism of his or her specialty) and doctor's uncaring bedside manner. I don 't think Gillian was aware she was dying, but the book would still have been an invaluable guide for me, and perhaps her, in dealing with the stress and confusion! I was particularly impressed with the simplicity, clarity and sensitivity the book expressed a very difficult process.
From a survivor's point of view, I would have wished some guidance on grief. I rather fumbled around before finding help in a grief group".--Recent Recipient of Hospice
From a survivor's point of view, I would have wished some guidance on grief. I rather fumbled around before finding help in a grief group".--Recent Recipient of Hospice
"Yes, I would give it to a friend who is just beginning the process of dealing with a fatal illness, because it deals with the issue of the patient's quality of life with straightforward, heart-breaking simplicity. I think it also belongs in gerontologist's offices and wherever children are being counseled about the impending death of a parent. My only reservation is that its "children's book" story line might put off a more sophisticated reader, who might miss the book's powerful message. But I guess that would be their problem. Thanks for letting me read it".-- Recent Participant in Palliative Care
"Beautiful.
Thank you, and thank both your sons. Your book will change lives.
So many hugs, "-- Hospice Nurse
“Everybody Needs A Hippo handles tough material in a very sensitive way but not overwrought sentimentalism. There is fine line there, also. Great visuals, both the characters and the words. You handle fear so very well. Answering questions adequately and letting people (or animals) feel like they have a say in their own lives is huge. Huge. Our lives should remain in the realm of our control, as much as possible. With the help of good friends who become advocates. The main theme is profound: This is your life, not anyone else's. The decisions you make need to be based on logical information instead of blind hope and fear. Amen. And the idea of knowing, realistically, what is going on is a gift. The gift of knowing when your end will be, more or less. That is something that very few people get. I love that perspective.”-- Retired teacher and community volunteer
Thank you, and thank both your sons. Your book will change lives.
So many hugs, "-- Hospice Nurse
“Everybody Needs A Hippo handles tough material in a very sensitive way but not overwrought sentimentalism. There is fine line there, also. Great visuals, both the characters and the words. You handle fear so very well. Answering questions adequately and letting people (or animals) feel like they have a say in their own lives is huge. Huge. Our lives should remain in the realm of our control, as much as possible. With the help of good friends who become advocates. The main theme is profound: This is your life, not anyone else's. The decisions you make need to be based on logical information instead of blind hope and fear. Amen. And the idea of knowing, realistically, what is going on is a gift. The gift of knowing when your end will be, more or less. That is something that very few people get. I love that perspective.”-- Retired teacher and community volunteer
"I forwarded the book on to _______ ____. I read the story and was deeply touched by the honesty of the experience. It is a story that needs to be told, for sure. I am also sure _______ will be in touch for the same reason. Thanks for sharing this with me; I’m going to share it with my family and friends as well. Good work Nastase" -- Medical Contractor
"Your sensitivity, humanity, and power of personality forged by experience are inexorably integrated into your writing."--DMD,Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF School of Dentistry
* All letters are on file