When Philip Balcer arrives at a Franciscan monastery on the southern Maine coast for a private retreat, it is clear that he is spiritually troubled. Haunted by the memory of holding his older brother, Peter, in his arms as he died of gunshot wounds thirty years ago, Philip is seeking both solitude and healing, even though he is no longer religious. Even so, he is unable to move forward because of his inability to remember large portions of the past, especially those last moments with Peter. Although he feels spiritually connected to Peter, he also feels as though he failed him.

With the...

When Philip Balcer arrives at a Franciscan monastery on the southern Maine coast for a private retreat, it is clear that he is spiritually troubled. Haunted by the memory of holding his older brother, Peter, in his arms as he died of gunshot wounds thirty years ago, Philip is seeking both solitude and healing, even though he is no longer religious. Even so, he is unable to move forward because of his inability to remember large portions of the past, especially those last moments with Peter. Although he feels spiritually connected to Peter, he also feels as though he failed him.

With the...

Respiratory conditions are a leading cause of death and disability and account for a massive proportion of hospital admissions. This comprehensive text provides a detailed overview and discussion of respiratory care, with chapters on assessment, investigations, treatments and a wide range of conditions, as well as anatomy and physiology.

Taking an inter-professional and patient-focused approach, Respiratory Care is evidence-based and linked to key practice guidelines to enable postgraduate students and professionals to provide the most effective care. Each chapter...