🌿 About the Author
Meet the voice behind *Standing Beside Him*
I’m Debra Othman — wife, mother, lifelong HR professional, and suddenly, a caregiver.
I grew up in Alaska and later spent over 40 years working in Government and Health Care Human Resources. My work was always about people — listening, supporting, and helping them through challenges. What I didn’t know was how much I would need to lean on those same skills when life changed suddenly at home.
When my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I found myself on a path I never expected. Overnight, I became the one juggling appointments, asking hard questions, managing side effects, and quietly holding us both together.
Like many caregivers, I often felt invisible. There were so few resources that spoke directly to partners — to the people standing beside the patient, trying to be strong while also feeling lost.
🌿 Why I Wrote the Book
Standing Beside Him was born out of that silence
I wanted to create the guide I desperately needed — something practical enough to help with checklists and planning, but honest enough to talk about intimacy, identity, and the emotional labor partners carry in silence.
This book blends lived experience, real partner voices, and compassionate tools for the moments when caregiving feels both overwhelming and deeply human. My hope is that you’ll feel less alone, more equipped, and more seen.
🌿 Personal Touch
When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me in the garden, at home in Washington, or enjoying a good foreign film — always grateful for a story that makes me laugh.
The alpacas in my pastures, and the sunflowers that inspired the symbol for Standing Beside Him, remind me daily that resilience can be both gentle and strong.
Thank you for stopping here. Truly.
🌻 Debra
