Badass Advocate: Becoming The Champion Your Seriously Ill Loved One Deserves

I will keep this book closeby always. As a cancer survivor and someone who has had to advocate for family and friends with serious illnesses, I know that this is a conversation that everyone will need help and support with and some point in their lives. I couldn't put the book down. I underlined, took notes, and relished each of the author's personal stories. It's the first time I ever found myself crying over acknowledgements at the end of the book! Wow! I highly recommend this book to anyone with a heartbeat! I'm grateful for this book, for sure!

As a former cancer patient, this book was spot on. I wish that this book had been around when I was sick so that those helping and supporting me could have read it. Everything made so much sense and would've made things easier for everyone. In fact, several times as I was reading, I thought, "wow, she really gets it". It also made me realize how much my husband, in particular, had done while I was sick and that I really never looked at things from his point of view. It made me see things from not just the patient's perspective, but through the caregivers' also. Both sides were represented so well. There was so much good information, and it was such a thorough, easy-to-follow guide for how to put the most effective plan in place. The love the author had for her sister was so apparent throughout the book. What she learned and put into this book will help so many families.

This book is fantastic! A must-have in such difficult times, that brings clarity and guidance in moments of confusion and despair. This book will give you a place to start in this difficult journey, and will guide you every step of the way. It will make you feel confident and empowered, and it will help you become the best advocate for your loved one. I have read many books that promise to provide useful and applicable tips, and I have never before read a book that is so clear, helpful, organized and actionable as this one. The author does a great job of developing a very clear strategy to become a bad ass advocate and of breaking down the process into very clear and easy steps. Each chapter describes a step of the process, with a very helpful checklist after each chapter to help you follow through. Based on the author’s own experience, the book is a perfect balance between (1) a wonderful, heart-felt, supportive and understanding voice/perspective and (2) a very rationale, blunt and much needed realistic view, that will help you care and support your loved one in the best possible way. In times in which denial might play tricks on us, the author helps face and handle the tough questions and decisions that nobody wants to, but need to be thought of. I would highly recommend this book to absolutely everyone that wants to be the best advocate that they possibly can for their loved one. Actually, I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, because most times when you are in the middle of the situation, you don’t even think/know that a book like this could be out there and could be so helpful, so I think everyone should be aware of this valuable tool that they can have stored away in their toolbox in case they need it. I will be buying extra copies for close friends and family.

Many people are eventually tasked with caring for a seriously ill loved one. The problem is this: no one talks about it or prepares you for it. If your loved one is relatively young or healthy and suddenly falls ill, you likely will know few people who have experience with such a thing, and that's a lonely place to be. This book is a long overdue primer on how to navigate the complex system of doctors, so that you can be the best help for your loved one. I am part of a caregiver group through my church and this is the best resource i have found for a loved one trying to be a supporting advocate. So many times caregivers feel guilty and just give up in the face of an overwhelming and confusing healthcare system. This book will give so many people somewhere to start. A positive and heartfelt story from someone who knows what it's like, this book will be a lifeline to so many.

BadAss Advocate is a heartfelt, courageous account of Erin Mulqueen Galyean’s personal journey of navigating the healthcare system when her sister was seriously ill with lung disease. Galyean outlines eight concrete strategies that one can use if faced with caring for a seriously sick loved one. Galyean’s voice is strong and honest. Her background in pharmaceutical training provides guidance on how to communicate effectively with health professionals. The use of anecdotal evidence bolster her claims and resonate well with her audience. Galyean’s use of strong imagery captures the picture of her tightly-woven family. The reader enjoys hearing the stories of the laughter and the love, which can be refreshing for a reader experiencing a similar sadness. She comes across as a friend who speaks naturally to the reader; it is clear she truly desires to coach a caregiver in helping a sick loved one in the best possible way. Furthermore, Galyean confronts the uncomfortable choices and unthinkable decisions such as planning advance directives, appointing a healthcare proxy, obtaining a second opinion, questioning a doctor’s treatment and trusting one’s instinct. Her suggestion to have a thoughtful conversation with the patient about some of these things, even if the prognosis is a positive one, is sage advice and one that can bring a sense of peace to the patient. She walks the reader through how to challenge a doctor’s opinions respectively. She encourages the reader to stand strong and teaches the reader a respectful and effective way to push back confidently. Galyean spells out the various roles of the advocacy team members. The “director of delight” or “vice president of communication” are clever, creative ways to get family members involved and to empower them in the process. She reflects on being an advocate from all angles--from suggesting one become familiar with the hospital evaluation method to discussing a prognosis with children who are close to the loved one. She even provides the names of organizations that help families in these situations. She mentions the importance of keeping the caregiver healthy both mentally and physically and provides creative and practical ideas for doing this. Encouraging quotations by inspiring people are sprinkled throughout the book which keeps the reader in a positive mindframe. Bottomline, a caregiver who reads this book will have valuable tools at his/her disposal which, inevitably, will assist in feelings of control and peace of mind in a difficult situation.

I wanted to share how Badass Advocate supported my family during a dark time! My parents came to visit my husband, 6-year old daughter and I in Texas from Georgia. One morning my Dad woke up and his behavior and level of confusion were raising a lot of red flags with my family. My Mom and I took him to the ER to discover he was having a stroke. The next 24 days we spent in the Neuro-ICU where I brought my Dad’s DNR documentation to the hospital worried he wasn’t going to make it. Over the course of 2 weeks he was stepped down to Neuro-PCU, got worse and ended up back up in the Nero-ICU, stepped back down into the neuro PCU and then finally discharged to in-patient rehab. Things were moving fast, emotions were elevated, many medical professionals were involved in his care, exhaustion eventually settled in and we were trying to understand and advocate on my Dad’s behalf as best we could. During this overwhelming time my Mom had mustered all her strength and was doing her best to support my father and make the best decisions based on what we knew, but I still felt like we were not always asking the best/right questions or always fully understanding next steps. It was then that I started reading Badass Advocate. Badass Strategy #3 was incredibly valuable in helping us to organize our concerns into thoughtful questions, dig deeper where necessary and listen better through our anxiety and fear. Towards the end of my Dad’s in-patient rehab stay my Dad’s physician complimented my Mom by telling her she was asking really good questions!! It was a journey to get there, but I am glad we had Badass Advocate to help guide us in this time of need. My Dad is back in Georgia and on his way to recovery! If you have a loved one that is going through a tough medical journey I highly recommend reading Badass Advocate, not only will you find meaningful information to help you advocate, I think you will love how the author writes with humility, experience and passion to help others that are struggling.

The tragedy of this book is that by the time you realize you need it, you will have already faced some avoidable stress. If you are supporting a loved one though a medical crisis or you are concerned about someone’s future health, this book is a must-read! The shared strategies will save you time, stress, heartache, and will lighten the load that you and your loved ones bear. This might be one of the most applicable books I’ve ever read. This is one to keep on shelf. When you need it, you’ll be unmeasurably grateful you have it!

This book is heart wrenching, raw, informative and so full of great information! It reminded me of when my daughter was gravelly injured in a car crash, you know, when the chaplain calls to notify you what’s happened. You’re numb beyond belief. If I had read this book perhaps I would have been more equipped to go down the road we went down. This book should be read by everyone. When tragedies happen we are scared, lost in emotion and we try to dissimulate information we’ve never heard before. Thank you to this author who has lived this, twice unfortunately, and through writing this book will help so many!

In Badass Advocate, Erin Galyean provides a loving tribute to her sister and father while giving the reader a practical guide to getting the best possible care for their seriously ill loved one. There are six key adjectives I can use to describe why I like this book: Concise, Human, Realistic, Technical, Authentic, and Achievable. Badass Advocate is concise, packing a great deal of information into a small number of pages. Anyone facing advocacy for a sick loved one can easily read this book in 3-4 hours. Each strategy is summarized with key points at the end of each chapter, providing the reader a quick reference. Badass Advocate consistently makes the point that all parties involved in a critically-ill patient's care are human. The patient, the care team, and the medical staff are not superheroes nor perfect beings. All involved need to ask for help, practice self-care, and engage in mutual respect and empathy. Laughter and affection are as important as medicine. Badass Advocate is realistic and points out many difficult truths of modern medicine. It is not always an exact science and no one doctor knows everything. Respectful persistence and second opinions are key to getting the best care for your sick friend or relative. Badass Advocate is technical and provides many good references to available applications, websites, and social media groups to assist with the organization of care. This is so important for caregivers who may not have the prior exposure to technology nor be aware of these key resources to ease the tasks involved. Badass Advocate is incredibly authentic. Throughout the book, the author offers personal memories and anecdotes of her experiences with her family's illnesses and her own journey of advocacy. These memoirs add a great deal of credibility and legitimacy to the recommended strategies. Badass Advocate is achievable. I came away from reading Badass Advocate with the thought that I could "do this" if I was ever in a similar situation with a sick family member. While it would be incredibly difficult, this book would make the job much more doable.

This book has such great practical information to help family members support loved ones who are terminally ill or in my case, have ongoing medical issues. As I navigate caring for my ageing parents, all while in another state, I found the information, key conversations and questions incredibly helpful. Before reading this, I was unable to articulate and ask the right questions. I am so glad to have this resource as I continue to navigate the health system for my family. I was touched by the author's story and appreciated her vulnerability and practicality that she provided. I enjoyed it so much, I'll be sending it to other members of my family so we're all on the same page as we navigate tough situations.

I will keep this book closeby always. As a cancer survivor and someone who has had to advocate for family and friends with serious illnesses, I know that this is a conversation that everyone will need help and support with and some point in their lives. I couldn't put the book down. I underlined, took notes, and relished each of the author's personal stories. It's the first time I ever found myself crying over acknowledgements at the end of the book! Wow! I highly recommend this book to anyone with a heartbeat! I'm grateful for this book, for sure!

As a former cancer patient, this book was spot on. I wish that this book had been around when I was sick so that those helping and supporting me could have read it. Everything made so much sense and would've made things easier for everyone. In fact, several times as I was reading, I thought, "wow, she really gets it". It also made me realize how much my husband, in particular, had done while I was sick and that I really never looked at things from his point of view. It made me see things from not just the patient's perspective, but through the caregivers' also. Both sides were represented so well. There was so much good information, and it was such a thorough, easy-to-follow guide for how to put the most effective plan in place. The love the author had for her sister was so apparent throughout the book. What she learned and put into this book will help so many families.

This book is fantastic! A must-have in such difficult times, that brings clarity and guidance in moments of confusion and despair. This book will give you a place to start in this difficult journey, and will guide you every step of the way. It will make you feel confident and empowered, and it will help you become the best advocate for your loved one. I have read many books that promise to provide useful and applicable tips, and I have never before read a book that is so clear, helpful, organized and actionable as this one. The author does a great job of developing a very clear strategy to become a bad ass advocate and of breaking down the process into very clear and easy steps. Each chapter describes a step of the process, with a very helpful checklist after each chapter to help you follow through. Based on the author’s own experience, the book is a perfect balance between (1) a wonderful, heart-felt, supportive and understanding voice/perspective and (2) a very rationale, blunt and much needed realistic view, that will help you care and support your loved one in the best possible way. In times in which denial might play tricks on us, the author helps face and handle the tough questions and decisions that nobody wants to, but need to be thought of. I would highly recommend this book to absolutely everyone that wants to be the best advocate that they possibly can for their loved one. Actually, I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, because most times when you are in the middle of the situation, you don’t even think/know that a book like this could be out there and could be so helpful, so I think everyone should be aware of this valuable tool that they can have stored away in their toolbox in case they need it. I will be buying extra copies for close friends and family.

Many people are eventually tasked with caring for a seriously ill loved one. The problem is this: no one talks about it or prepares you for it. If your loved one is relatively young or healthy and suddenly falls ill, you likely will know few people who have experience with such a thing, and that's a lonely place to be. This book is a long overdue primer on how to navigate the complex system of doctors, so that you can be the best help for your loved one. I am part of a caregiver group through my church and this is the best resource i have found for a loved one trying to be a supporting advocate. So many times caregivers feel guilty and just give up in the face of an overwhelming and confusing healthcare system. This book will give so many people somewhere to start. A positive and heartfelt story from someone who knows what it's like, this book will be a lifeline to so many.

BadAss Advocate is a heartfelt, courageous account of Erin Mulqueen Galyean’s personal journey of navigating the healthcare system when her sister was seriously ill with lung disease. Galyean outlines eight concrete strategies that one can use if faced with caring for a seriously sick loved one. Galyean’s voice is strong and honest. Her background in pharmaceutical training provides guidance on how to communicate effectively with health professionals. The use of anecdotal evidence bolster her claims and resonate well with her audience. Galyean’s use of strong imagery captures the picture of her tightly-woven family. The reader enjoys hearing the stories of the laughter and the love, which can be refreshing for a reader experiencing a similar sadness. She comes across as a friend who speaks naturally to the reader; it is clear she truly desires to coach a caregiver in helping a sick loved one in the best possible way. Furthermore, Galyean confronts the uncomfortable choices and unthinkable decisions such as planning advance directives, appointing a healthcare proxy, obtaining a second opinion, questioning a doctor’s treatment and trusting one’s instinct. Her suggestion to have a thoughtful conversation with the patient about some of these things, even if the prognosis is a positive one, is sage advice and one that can bring a sense of peace to the patient. She walks the reader through how to challenge a doctor’s opinions respectively. She encourages the reader to stand strong and teaches the reader a respectful and effective way to push back confidently. Galyean spells out the various roles of the advocacy team members. The “director of delight” or “vice president of communication” are clever, creative ways to get family members involved and to empower them in the process. She reflects on being an advocate from all angles--from suggesting one become familiar with the hospital evaluation method to discussing a prognosis with children who are close to the loved one. She even provides the names of organizations that help families in these situations. She mentions the importance of keeping the caregiver healthy both mentally and physically and provides creative and practical ideas for doing this. Encouraging quotations by inspiring people are sprinkled throughout the book which keeps the reader in a positive mindframe. Bottomline, a caregiver who reads this book will have valuable tools at his/her disposal which, inevitably, will assist in feelings of control and peace of mind in a difficult situation.

I wanted to share how Badass Advocate supported my family during a dark time! My parents came to visit my husband, 6-year old daughter and I in Texas from Georgia. One morning my Dad woke up and his behavior and level of confusion were raising a lot of red flags with my family. My Mom and I took him to the ER to discover he was having a stroke. The next 24 days we spent in the Neuro-ICU where I brought my Dad’s DNR documentation to the hospital worried he wasn’t going to make it. Over the course of 2 weeks he was stepped down to Neuro-PCU, got worse and ended up back up in the Nero-ICU, stepped back down into the neuro PCU and then finally discharged to in-patient rehab. Things were moving fast, emotions were elevated, many medical professionals were involved in his care, exhaustion eventually settled in and we were trying to understand and advocate on my Dad’s behalf as best we could. During this overwhelming time my Mom had mustered all her strength and was doing her best to support my father and make the best decisions based on what we knew, but I still felt like we were not always asking the best/right questions or always fully understanding next steps. It was then that I started reading Badass Advocate. Badass Strategy #3 was incredibly valuable in helping us to organize our concerns into thoughtful questions, dig deeper where necessary and listen better through our anxiety and fear. Towards the end of my Dad’s in-patient rehab stay my Dad’s physician complimented my Mom by telling her she was asking really good questions!! It was a journey to get there, but I am glad we had Badass Advocate to help guide us in this time of need. My Dad is back in Georgia and on his way to recovery! If you have a loved one that is going through a tough medical journey I highly recommend reading Badass Advocate, not only will you find meaningful information to help you advocate, I think you will love how the author writes with humility, experience and passion to help others that are struggling.

The tragedy of this book is that by the time you realize you need it, you will have already faced some avoidable stress. If you are supporting a loved one though a medical crisis or you are concerned about someone’s future health, this book is a must-read! The shared strategies will save you time, stress, heartache, and will lighten the load that you and your loved ones bear. This might be one of the most applicable books I’ve ever read. This is one to keep on shelf. When you need it, you’ll be unmeasurably grateful you have it!

This book is heart wrenching, raw, informative and so full of great information! It reminded me of when my daughter was gravelly injured in a car crash, you know, when the chaplain calls to notify you what’s happened. You’re numb beyond belief. If I had read this book perhaps I would have been more equipped to go down the road we went down. This book should be read by everyone. When tragedies happen we are scared, lost in emotion and we try to dissimulate information we’ve never heard before. Thank you to this author who has lived this, twice unfortunately, and through writing this book will help so many!

In Badass Advocate, Erin Galyean provides a loving tribute to her sister and father while giving the reader a practical guide to getting the best possible care for their seriously ill loved one. There are six key adjectives I can use to describe why I like this book: Concise, Human, Realistic, Technical, Authentic, and Achievable. Badass Advocate is concise, packing a great deal of information into a small number of pages. Anyone facing advocacy for a sick loved one can easily read this book in 3-4 hours. Each strategy is summarized with key points at the end of each chapter, providing the reader a quick reference. Badass Advocate consistently makes the point that all parties involved in a critically-ill patient's care are human. The patient, the care team, and the medical staff are not superheroes nor perfect beings. All involved need to ask for help, practice self-care, and engage in mutual respect and empathy. Laughter and affection are as important as medicine. Badass Advocate is realistic and points out many difficult truths of modern medicine. It is not always an exact science and no one doctor knows everything. Respectful persistence and second opinions are key to getting the best care for your sick friend or relative. Badass Advocate is technical and provides many good references to available applications, websites, and social media groups to assist with the organization of care. This is so important for caregivers who may not have the prior exposure to technology nor be aware of these key resources to ease the tasks involved. Badass Advocate is incredibly authentic. Throughout the book, the author offers personal memories and anecdotes of her experiences with her family's illnesses and her own journey of advocacy. These memoirs add a great deal of credibility and legitimacy to the recommended strategies. Badass Advocate is achievable. I came away from reading Badass Advocate with the thought that I could "do this" if I was ever in a similar situation with a sick family member. While it would be incredibly difficult, this book would make the job much more doable.

This book has such great practical information to help family members support loved ones who are terminally ill or in my case, have ongoing medical issues. As I navigate caring for my ageing parents, all while in another state, I found the information, key conversations and questions incredibly helpful. Before reading this, I was unable to articulate and ask the right questions. I am so glad to have this resource as I continue to navigate the health system for my family. I was touched by the author's story and appreciated her vulnerability and practicality that she provided. I enjoyed it so much, I'll be sending it to other members of my family so we're all on the same page as we navigate tough situations.

I thought this book was very well written. Perfectly organized to help care for and organize what needs to be done as advocates for loved ones. I loved the action items revisited and quotes at the end of each chapter, the personal stories and the genuine care that Erin displays for the readers as she has been through it all herself. This book is the perfect tool for anyone that needs to help care for a loved one whether they are terminally ill or aging. My grandparents are in their late nineties and in great health but so much of this book will help us to better care for and communicate with everyone else in the family what is happening with them and especially at physician appointments. Anytime I hear of someone that will be caring for a loved one I will purchase and send this book to them. Looking forward to Erin’s next book, she has a gift.

This book is an incredible guide for anyone who wants to be the best advocate they can be for a loved one suffering a serious illness. The author shares her heart wrenching experiences and devotion to her family while demonstrating strategies for success with genuine kindness and empathy. She has an amazing ability to convey all perspectives - the patient’s, the healthcare provider’s and the caregiver/advocate’s, which provides a unique opportunity to learn quickly and efficiently how to proceed as a patient advocate most effectively. I highly recommend this book for anyone who finds themselves in a position of wanting to support a loved one through a medical crisis. Quite honestly, the tips and strategies provided by Erin Mulqueen Galyean in Badass Advocate can be applied to many situations when you want to be the best badass advocate for a loved one you can be!

This book is heartfelt...honest and right on point! Being an advocate is so important but being an a badass advocate is essential! We all need that one person who will take care of us when we can’t take care of ourselves! This is a step by step playbook that will help you become a stronger advocate! I love that the book shows all sides of taking care of someone.

Having been in the caregiver role as well as a patient after a brain tumor sidelined me a few months. Badass Advocate provides an organized roadmap to make this difficult situation you may find yourself in feel more manageable for the patient and their family. Erin’s own personal stories and the steps she has provided give you a plan of what to do and how to move forward to navigate a situation that often leaves you questioning difficult decisions you have to make. She even provides realistic questions and answers for the doctors and patients if you are struggling with these conversations. Thank you very much Erin for sharing your own story and providing help to so many others along the way! Jenny W

This book is like a good friend.. the kind of friend you need when you are going through something where you need someone to keep you on the right path and basically be thinking for you.. SO GREAT! Not only is it a great reference and help for people who are going through a time where they need guidance and reassurance but it is from someone who has been there.. 2X no less.. The way it is written makes you feel like you are talking to your friend. Erin’s stories about Meghan and her Dad made it so relatable. I was doing ok till the end when I read the Acknowledgements.. showing the importance of having a wonderful support group .. and using them to make sure your loved one is getting the best care possible! I recommend this for anyone who is caring for a sick friend or family member...

I am absolutely amazed at the WEALTH (literally!) of information in this book! As a palliative care advanced practice nurse who has helped patients and family members after serious medical emergencies, I know they ALL wished they had this book. What happens after the hospital? The majority of us will end up in a hospital at some point, & this book clearly explains who people are, how it all works (badly...), among other complexities within a hospital. Meghan is shining down from above, knowing her sister is making a HUGE difference in so many lives.

As an emergency medicine doctor, I am thrilled to have found a resource to recommend to patient families and friends who are encountering the healthcare system on behalf of their sick loved one. Organized and concise, this guide describes how to navigate what otherwise could be an impossibly intimidating road. The book highlights the importance of some of the most “can’t miss” information-gathering times such as daily physician rounds and goals-of-care meetings. There are few greater assets to the health care team than an informed and eager advocate when it comes to planning and executing what is best for each individual patient. Many thanks to the author for this resource that will undoubtedly help many, but also serves as a beautiful tribute to her late sister and father.

First, this is a great book. It's full of great practical ideas for anyone advocating for a loved one. But, I think it makes for an every better gift. When a friend or relative is thrust into the advocate role, I always find myself saying, "Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help." Now you can change that: "I bought you a book to help you serve as an advocate. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do to help."

Learning that a loved one is seriously ill is one of those times in life when we often find ourselves feeling most lost. It’s hard to navigate and move forward because we don’t know what to do. Through her book,The Badass Advocate, Erin Galyean gives us a heartfelt guide to help us maneuver through some of the most challenging times. Erin’s story and personal experiences of caring for her father and sister share a wealth of knowledge and a list of strategies to help each of us become the advocate our loved ones deserve. Thank you, Erin Galyean, for sharing your story and your knowledge. You have taken what was most definitely a very painful experience in loss and given us all a gift.

This book prepares you for the thought of losing a dearly loved one, and it does it in an eloquent and caring way. The book is thorough but straightforward. The author argues for Palliative Care as the best way for a family to survive a life-threatening diagnosis of a loved one. She also reminds us that love and laughter are survival tools, something that many people forget during this tragic time in one’s life. Highly recommended.

Erin Mulqueen Galyean gives an emotional first hand account of what it has been like to advocate for two of her nearest loved ones who became seriously ill. She uses the experience she gained from these trying situations and provides an organized and easy to follow guide to help others advocate for their own seriously ill loved one. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, I am often in these situations although playing a different role, as a provider rather than family member. This book helped me better understand “the other side” and I would recommend it to any of my patients facing similar situations.

No one really knows how to handle or prepare themselves when a loved one is critically ill or dying. This book can help give you guidance on how to cope with taking care of your loved ones and communicate effectively with the healthcare system and family. Erin Gaylean’s, author, story is very heartfelt and touching. After reading this book, I feel like I will be more prepared when it comes to my loved ones being critically ill or dying. Whether you are going through this right now or just want to be prepared when this were to happen to you, this is a must read! Erin made this book very easy to read and full of valuable information.

I wish I had owned this book when my mother was battling cancer. Because of the emotional distress caused by having a chronically loved one, it would have been incredibly valuable to have a logical and rational how-to for reference. Using her professional experience in the medical industry, plus her personal experience caring for ill family members, Erin provides the confidence you'll need to ask the right questions. I've already shared the book with two friends who are caring for loved ones. We all need support when walking through the unknown.

Oh, how I wish I knew that a caregiver needs to have self-care to care for their loved one! Galyean has done all the work for you to not only know how to advocate for your loved one, but to know how to care for yourself to stay strong!

Erin took some truly tough life experiences and used that to make everyone's else load a little lighter when days are heavy. Highly recommend. I am so glad I read this book now when I don't need it. I felt like I was able to absorb the information Erin presented and learn so much so that when I am faced with an ill loved one and I need to step up, I will already have the tools to do that effectively. I loved the way she gave great details and information but also outlined key points for a quick refresher. While I never want to need this book, I am so glad it will exist when life gets tough.

This book lays out in clear language actionable steps people can take to help care for their loved ones when they are seriously ill. This will not only help ensure your loved one gets the best care possible, it will also help the caregiver feel empowered and a valuable member of their loved one’s team. Erin has managed to turn personal tragedy into a gift that can help countless people in their darkest hour. Heartfelt advice from someone who has been there. I thank you for writing this book, as a nurse, as my father’s caregiver, and as a patient fighting cancer.

I loved reading Badass Advocate. I have been fortunate enough that I have not lost anyone or cared for a sick loved one really close to me. Now, after reading this book, I feel prepared in the event that I am ever in this situation. Erin does a great job of "getting raw" in this book. She tells the story as it happened; shares her true emotions, struggles, and learning. In this situation, you never have the right words to say. Which is why this is a great gift for anyone that is going through such hard times.

I wish I had this when my Dad was Ill many years ago. Such great practical Information to walk you through a difficult time. So raw and vulnerable thanks for sharing. Thank you

All patients and their loved ones facing a serious illness need this book. Forty-six years of experience as a registered nurse managing home health and hospice care gives me a unique perspective on disease management. I have struggled with time constraints and patients and families limited knowledge of the health care system. This a well written, organized, and concise book outlining the management of patient care

I liked everything in this book. The author, Erin Galyean created an excellent, heartfelt, realistic, organized teaching advocacy guide to care for critically-ill loved ones. Erin dynamically delivers to the reader Badass Strategies that cover creating a team of loved ones and the patient to navigate medical care, emotional care, personal care and the dignity of the patient.

Wish there was more on caregivers with no outside help. Also would like more ideas for long term illnesses that aren't necessarily terminal.

This book is so helpful for caregivers at any point in their journey. Wether you are just starting out as a caregiver or are in the thick of it, these strategies can give you the tools to help not only your loved one but yourself as well. I really like how the 5 r’s set your day up with a sense of structure and self care that can help you continue on to be the best badass advocate you can be!

What makes this book so special is that the author turned a tragic experience into an opportunity to help other people. This book is beautifully written and provides incredible strategies for families to advocate for their loved ones. I highly recommend this book!

This book is a MUST HAVE if you are the caregiver of a sick loved one. The author’s personal experience and perspective will undoubtably help many. I am very thankful for this book and intend to pass it on to others in a similar situation.

This book is a must read for anyone that has, is or will become a caretaker! The author does an amazing job walking us through her journey so she can help us with ours. Thank you for this book!

Look, I'm already a Badass Advocate. I advocated for myself when I was given more than one diagnosis I didn't trust; I advocated for myself when I was given an explanation for a condition that just didn't make sense; I advocated for myself when I was told I was too young for a hip replacement when I couldn't even walk. I've never really understood why people just run with information given to them without vetting and or doing their own research, especially when it comes to ones own health or health of a loved one. But Erin Mulqueen Galyean's informative and empathetic approach to helping anyone on any side of this type of situation get a strong understanding of the multifaceted experience is so powerful, and the knowledge you will gain is priceless. With every page turn, I just kept thinking I love how easy her writing style illustrated how to tackle such a complicated experience. No matter how big or small you or your loved ones experience with their healthcare needs might be this book has so many awesome easy to understand resources and game plans. I didn't have a life threatening disease but the quality of my life slowly was diminishing to the point I thought I was going insane. A lot of what happed to me over a decade and the length of time it took me to get my quality of life back gives me the authority to say this is a must read for anyone needing to advocate for themself or a loved one. There is absolutely nothing she misses. This book will empower you and your loved ones to jump right in and save you some time, effort, and energy as you will be navigating through a life changing experience.

This is both so heartbreaking yet beautiful and inspirational and Erin draws you in from the very first page. It is so extremely well written that can clearly feel her emotions and you will hang on to her every word. I couldn’t put it down. I have lost both a brother after 2 weeks in ICU from an accident and my best friend to breast cancer. This world needs more people like Erin who shine a guiding light to those family members, siblings and loved ones who have become caretakers behind the scenes during these tragic events and can feel so lost. This book will help them relate, help guide them, help them feel they aren’t alone, help them see past those dark days with so many inspirational quotes and words of wisdom from someone who has been there. It’s so extremely personal but so relatable for everyone going through or have gone through these difficult times. This book is going to help so many people, . It’s so heart wrenching reading her story but it’s equally uplifting and you can literally feel the support and understanding Erin will give to others going through this. It’s a must read!!!

As an Intensive care nurse for almost 10 years, I was incredibly Impressed with this book! The author captured so many important aspects of advocating for a sick loved one that would be invaluable for a family member to learn. Both in my professional and personal life, I have witnessed how very difficult and scary having a sick loved one is. So to be able to have this book for caregivers to turn to in such an overwhelming time could make a huge difference in reducing additional caregiver stress. The author did a great job of sharing both personal stories and scripted scenarios to help the reader better understand her points and prepare them for possible situations they may encounter as an advocate for a loved one. I love that the she directs readers to additional resources on a website she designed . I have seen first hand in the ICU how difficult it is for families to find the reliable resources they need for their sick family member. This website may eliminate some of that difficultly and stress for caregivers. This book is the whole package! I will be sharing this book with coworkers, patient’s families, and friends whenever I can!!

This book should be in every treatment area and hospital waiting room. Once a family receives a life altering diagnosis, sometimes the hardest thing is coming up with a plan. Also, the family and friends of the patient tend to feel helpless in knowing how they can contribute to the care of their loved one. The guidance in this book is a perfect reference to have on hand for all those who surround the patient. The format of this book makes it easy for those who may not have the time to sit down and read the entire book at once. The format of bulleted lists and conclusions at the end of each chapter makes it easy for the reader to find just what they need when they need it. The personal stories by the author help to illustrate to the reader that she knows what they are going through and realized the need for a book such as this one. It would be the perfect gift to give to a family going through this crisis and is a beautiful tribute to the memory of Meghan.

What a well-written, thoughtful guide to transform caregivers into powerful advocates. I loved this book. I have been advocating for my daughter, a kidney transplant recipient, for years. I’ve been figuring it all out on my own, but I wish I had a road map like this book to guide me when I first started on this medical journey. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends who find themselves in the caregiving role.

My mother was just diagnosed with plasma cell myeloma. After the shock of learning this diagnosis, I became terrified, because I had NO idea of how to help her. “Bad Ass Advocate “ has helped show me how to be a champion for your loved one, as well as how to best offer support as an informed advocate. Erin Galyean clearly lays out a step by step guide, on how to beat engage with medical professionals, how to delegate a team of support, ways to research the condition from credible resources and useful tools help support your loved one as well as advice on how to keep your “cup full” while going through this challenging time. I have sent a copy to my sister so we can collectively the the best “Bad Ass Advocates” for mom. Thank you so much, Erin, for this fantastic book, at a much needed time!!

This book is a wonderfully written and thorough handbook for anyone who knows someone going through an illness or anyone going through any traumatic life event. The advice given in Erin’s book, is very practical and also compassionate at the same time. It is hard to know what to do sometimes when we or our loved ones are faced with an illness. This book helps you to be less overwhelmed in trying to be there for your loved one. Use this book as a guide for yourself and also pass along to anyone you know who may be struggling with how they can be helpful to a friend, family member, etc. I wish I had this book earlier in my life to use as a handbook, so thank you Erin Mulqueen Galyean for providing something so helpful to people!

Erin’s first hand knowledge in being a healthcare advocate, is simply written in Badass Advocate. Erin’s step by step instructions to implement strategies to help the patient, their immediate family and extended family and friends. In addition, Badass Advocate will show people how to be effective in communication with physicians and ancillary health care providers. The strategy that resonated the most with me, is how important it is to build a support system and how important it is to include the patient in everything the support team does on behalf of the patient. It takes a village to provide support, and Erin’s strategies in Badass Advocate will surely help those loved ones trying to fight for the most effective, safe and professional care for their loved ones.

The book had an amazing balance of both tactical and emotional guidance. Even though we are not medical professions we have so many tools at our fingertips to help. The author identified those tools in a synchronized, well thought out way. The advice in this book is not only for the seriously ill but for anyone that is overwhelmed with dealing with doctors and advocating for their loved ones. The author poured her heart and soul and into this book! I am proud of her and am glad she stepped up to enlighten all of us!

This book is excellent! It is so challenging to figure out exactly how to help someone you love deal with sickness or a dramatic life event. We all want to be there for them and help anyway possible but what does that even mean? This book does an excellent job of serving as a guide to how we can be our very best advocate and support system. I encourage anyone that is struggling with a loved one facing challenges to read this book and be the badass advocate that your loved one needs!

FANTASTIC read. Very thought out and well structured. This is a resource one must have in such difficult times. As a nurse, I will keep this book close by as a recommending guiding tool for patients caretakers. One of the major takeaways I took from this book is it makes caretakers feel confident and empowered during a time where most feel helpless and lost. It is a MUST resource for anyone going through the journey of taking care of a seriously ill loved one.

As a daughter who lives 4 states away from my ailing mother with no other living siblings or family to assist, I have felt completely helpless in trying to advocate and guide/direct my mother's care. This book has provided me with such insight and clarity when clarity is hard to find and maintain amidst the emotional ups and downs that take place during such an incredibly difficult time. Thank you, Erin!

I began reading this when my father was admitted for emergent quadruple bypass surgery. This book encouraged me to challenge nurses and physicians when things didn't seem right. This book also reminded me that being my Dad's voice was critical especially with revolving door of health care providers. The tools in this book are relatable and useful on so many levels. Thank you for this amazing book! Missy Perry

A remarkable book written in the voice of a sister, caring deep for her sibling, taking the reign as a comforter, friend, sister, and best of all, the “champion advocate.” The book will remind of caring for a loved one in the final months, days of their lives which is most critical. From beginning to end the author guides you through how to handle being that champion support for your loved one! It’s definitely a must read when you are at a loss.