The Book               

In Hard to Swallow (NightBallet Press 2018), Pat and her late husband Bill Hurley offer 28 poems composed during Bill’s battle with esophageal cancer. Written from the point of view of the caregiver and patient, the poems – both poignant and humorous – offer an honest front row seat to their personal drama. Simply reading it may inspire others to write about their own struggles as they go through them.  The book may be purchased for $12 plus shipping through NightBallet Press.

The Support Group Guide

Hard to Swallow is an excellent discussion-starter in support groups for caregivers and those grieving the loss of a loved one. Through the generosity of the publisher, a discount purchase price for support groups is available. Contact Pat through this site for more information.

Pat has prepared a Facilitator guide for support group leaders who wish to use the book.  Some individual readers, who do not belong to or have access to a support group, may also find it useful.

Those who enjoy Bill’s poems in Hard to Swallow can find more gems in his collection No Weeds in Wahkeena.

For more background about Hard to Swallow came to be, you can listen to Pat’s interview with host Cynthia Rosi on Word Carver.

You can also listen to her podcast interview with Chris MacLellan of Healing Ties, about the therapeutic value of writing through caregiving.

In November 2018, NightBallet Press nominated Pat’s poem “Star-Crossed” for a Pushcart Prize. Hard to Swallow has also been nominated for an Ohioana Book Award.