Defining Hope

Story

Synopsis

We aren't dying the way we used to. We have ventilators, dialysis machines, ICUs-technologies that can "fix" us and keep our bodies alive-which have radically changed how we make medical decisions. In our death-denying culture, no matter how sick we get, there is always "hope." Defining Hope tells the story of patients dealing with life-threatening illness as they move between ICUs, operating rooms, hospice care and home. Diane is a nurse caring for end-stage cancer patients when she is diagnosed with ovarian cancer herself. 23-year-old Alena undergoes a risky brain surgery that destroys her short-term memory. 95-year-old Berthold lives with his elderly wife who struggles to honor his wish of dying peacefully at home. Defining Hope follows these patients and others- and the nurses that guide them along the way- as they face death, embrace hope, and ultimately redefine what makes life worth living.

Director

Carolyn Jones

Language

English

Country

United States of America

Release date

3 November 2017

Ensemble

Cast

• Rudolph Bilotti Sr.

  Self

• Berthold Cohen

  Self

• 

  Charlotte Cohen

  Self

• Carmen Hernandez

  Self

• Deborah LaFond

  Self - Nurse

• JoAnn Nayer-Grutza

  Self - Nurse

• Gilbert Oakley

  Self - Nurse

• Diane Ryan

  Self - Nurse

• Barbara Stephenson

  Self

• Alena Sydnor

  Self

• Carole Bailey

  Self

• Nina Marrero

  Self