Intensive Caring is a wonderful resource for anyone with questions about serious illness and end of life. Dr. Natalie King provides great information on challenging questions, including those involving feeding and nutrition at end of life, pain relief, and euthanasia. As an expert on end-of-life concerns, Dr. King is well able to address complex concerns in a clear and highly readable way. As we confront our need to understand “advance directives” and DNR orders, it is great to have an advocate like Dr. King. She provides important ideas about dying well, including what is appropriate in health care, how to promote dignity at the end of life, and ways to support those we love throughout the dying process. Intensive Caring has a wealth of resources, including thoughtful questions to ask our medical teams, valuable considerations for spiritual care at end of life, and a helpful guide for further readings. Dr. King offers practical wisdom that comes from a wealth of experience and compassion for everyone she encounters.
--Dr. Catherine Stokes, Catholic physician, daughter and mother

ICU - serious illness and faith
A book review of Intensive Caring: A practical handbook for Catholics about serious illness and end of life care written by Natalie King, MD, MA

This book grabs attention immediately with the first case study. Not wanting to give away the plot we have Mr. W. and his symptoms at the same time as looking at church doctrine and teachings.

King is writing from the point of view of a physician. She is also writing from the perspective of a Christian. She explores the strands of suffering in end of life care and serious illness. This weaving of biblical text, church teaching, case studies and lived experience is unlike any book I have read.

It is powerful.

This book truly helps people grapple with diagnoses and decisions. Its gentle words wash over respectfully as life altering decisions might need to be made. My mother decided less than a year ago to not seek invasive treatment and rely on palliative care treatment. I have watched from afar as a person chooses one way to die.

In chapter three Natalie gives many of the questions we should be asking when faced with health choices. My stoic son when it was suggested he need dialysis took it on the chin. He was looking forward to computer game time - extra to the normal allowed amount. I appreciated the book's acknowledgement that we do not all think the same.

Who should read this book?

Patients with a long term illness
Family of a patient suddenly in ICU
Doctors, nurses and care givers
Pastors, pastoral workers and chaplains

Oh this book just completely melted me! Watching my parents both go through their parents end of the journey, this book just brought so much light and was full of information. I was just so intrigued.