Reviewed by Eileen P. Williamson

In this first-person account of her work with patients during end-of-life journeys, Patrice Rancour allows readers to share her experiences and learn how they led to a specialized ministry to the dying. From her story of “Dorothy, Dorothy of the fighting spirit” to Walter King and his strong and deeply religious family, the author captures the essence of life at the end of life—the heartbroken tears of a husband not yet ready to say goodbye, the fear of a young cancer victim unwilling to let go, the quiet dignity of a devoted wife facing a future alone.

In an artful retrospective that includes a glossary and discussion questions, Rancour recognizes the “power of the pager” with its familiar “beep” that beckons her into her patients’ rooms as well as their lives. The faithful pager gifts Rancour with experiences to cherish and stories to tell far beyond the value of the small pocket companion’s transmitters, bands, signals and sounds. Her pager, she says, “catapults her into care.” As both herald and information storehouse, it enables her to respond and then recall each message and patient—the one too afraid to end the battle, but too tired to keep up the fight; the one too angry to ask questions and too defeated to look for answers; and the one too embarrassed to cry, but too defenseless not to.

For health care professionals, families and anyone caring for the terminally ill, the book is a treasure trove of insights into end-of-life care. It explores patients’ emotional and physical needs, and shares Rancour’s unique ways of responding to those needs. For some, it might be music and scented candles, or the healing harmony of Reiki or guided imagery. For others, it’s encouraging patients to look not only under their dressings but also into their hearts. For one patient, it was even helping her give “girlfriend names” to her drainage tubes. For all of them, there was alleviation of suffering or renewal of strength—whichever they needed most on the last leg of their journey.

Although the book can be viewed as a “fast read,” you’ll want to savor the insights and not rush through it. It is definitely a “must read.” In 30-some tales from the pager, one chapter per patient, readers will see Rancour as gifted nurse and writer, but they will also see her, through her patients’ eyes, as teacher, even though Rancour finds it amusing that her patients view her that way. She’s always believed that it was they who were teaching her! She would like her work to be a “manifesto of hope” to all and, indeed, it will be for many readers. But it will also be a “magnificat of joy”—in nursing, in living and, finally, in dying. 

Eileen P. Williamson, RN, MSN, is associate vice president, professional services, New York and New Jersey, for Gannett Healthcare Group.

See article about Patrice Rancour, author of Tales From the Pager Chronicles, at http://www.nursezone.com/Nursing-News-Events/more-features.aspx?ID=18554