The Book That Could Change Your Outcome

Surviving the Hospital - Six Secrets Every Patient Should Know By Val Barschaw

Most people walk into a hospital the same way they walk into a situation they've never prepared for.

Hoping for the best.

And hope is not nothing. But it is not enough.

The patients who come out ahead — who catch the errors, ask the right questions, and walk out stronger than they walked in — are not the lucky ones. They are the prepared ones.

This book is how you become one of them.

WHAT THE BOOK IS

Surviving the Hospital is a short, practical, story-driven guide built on one simple truth: what you don't know can hurt you — and what you do know can save you.

It is not a medical textbook. It is not a list of scary statistics.

It is the honest, warm, sometimes laugh-out-loud account of what Val Barschaw learned over 35+ years navigating the hospital system alongside her husband Bill — and the six specific secrets that made the difference between outcomes that went wrong and outcomes that went right.

You will read it in one sitting. You will think about it for a long time after.

THE 6 SECRETS

The book is built on two pillars — three practical secrets and three emotional and spiritual ones. Because getting through a hospital stay isn't just about logistics. It's about the whole person.

Three things you can do practically to statistically improve your outcome.

Three things you can do emotionally and spiritually to improve your outcome.

The hospital setting itself becomes the classroom. The rooms, the routines, the relationships — all of it woven into every lesson so that you can recognize and apply the tools in real time.

This is not theory. This is a proven framework forged in the hardest possible lab.

VAL'S STORY — THE MOMENT THIS BOOK WAS BORN

There is a moment Val returns to again and again.

Bill was being unknowingly overdosed on a medication. She watched him begin to decline in front of her. Something wasn't right — she could feel it before she could name it.

She lunged across the room and pushed the emergency button on the wall behind his bed.

That act — born of attention, presence, and an unwillingness to wait when her gut said now — saved his life.

She was not a nurse. Not a doctor. Not a trained first responder.

She was a woman who was paying attention.

And that is exactly what this book teaches you to do.

WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR

For the patient: You have a hospital stay coming — scheduled or unexpected. You want to walk in knowing what to ask, what to watch for, and how to advocate for yourself when it matters most.

For the caregiver: You are the person in the waiting room, in the hallway, at the bedside. You are carrying more than anyone knows — and you need practical tools, not platitudes. This book was written with you in mind too.

For the healthcare professional: You went into medicine because you love patients. This book is something you can put in their hands — and know that it will help them show up more prepared, more communicative, and more equipped to participate in their own care.

For the person who isn't facing a hospital stay right now: Read it anyway. The best time to prepare is before you need to. The second best time is right now.

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

★★★★★ "As a physician, let me be clear. If you're a caregiver for a loved one, this is a must read." — RCN, M.D.

★★★★★ "Thank you for this powerful Christian-based book and for sharing your story. The term patient advocate is one thing, but this book points toward a much more powerful advocate... God." — Ryan C. Neal, M.D.

★★★★★ "This short book is packed with practical tips to make the most out of a hospitalization... Val also addresses the emotional aspects of what can be a very challenging time, acknowledging that things like a fighting spirit and gratitude can go a long way to healing and long-term recovery." — Wendy Jo Cerna

★★★★★ "I sure wish I had this information BEFORE my husband had emergency surgery! Read it now, before you go in!" — Carolyn B.

★★★★★ "Easy to read, practical, encouraging. I just had a planned 2-night hospital stay and these tips were so helpful. Especially the last chapter!" — Melissa

★★★★★ "Practical and helpful. Doctors can give so much information it can be overwhelming — this book lays out ideas for doing due diligence in order to advocate for my loved one, or myself." — lorinevin8

★★★★★ "I would recommend this book to anyone who has stayed or is about to stay in the hospital. It won't disappoint." — Fred Hueston, Author

Purchase Now

BULK ORDERS & GIFTING

Do you work with patients, caregivers, or healthcare teams?

This book makes a meaningful, practical gift — for a loved one facing a hospital stay, for a patient you're treating, or for an organization that wants to equip the people in their care.

For bulk order inquiries, please reach out directly.

WHAT'S COMING NEXT

Surviving the Hospital is the first in a series of books designed to serve every member of the hospital team.

Currently in development: Surviving the Hospital: The Secrets the Spouse Needs to Know

Read it now. Before you need it.

Because the moment you need this information is not the moment you want to be learning it for the first time

Get the Book →

FAQ

Is this book only for people already facing a hospital stay? Not at all. The best time to read it is before you ever need it. Many readers keep a copy on hand and share it with family members when a hospital stay comes up.

Is this a faith-based book? Faith is woven honestly into Val's story — because it was a real and central part of her experience. The practical strategies in the book stand on their own regardless of background or belief. Readers of all walks of life have found it valuable.

How long is it? It's a short, focused read — designed to be finished in one sitting and referenced again and again. Not a textbook. Not a tome. Exactly as long as it needs to be.

Can I gift this to a patient or caregiver I know? Absolutely — and many readers do exactly that. It's one of the most practical and caring gifts you can give someone facing a hospital journey.

Is there a version for healthcare professionals to share with patients? Yes — bulk orders are available for healthcare organizations, practices, and professionals who want to equip their patients. Contact Val directly for details.