Eighteen Months to Live
In the spring of 1990, Midge Rylander rushes to the hospital because of a persistent cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. She believes she has pneumonia but her diagnosis turns out to be much worse. Malignant pleural mesothelioma. Lung cancer from prior exposure to asbestos.
Midge’s doctors advise her that she has less than eighteen months left to live. While recuperating at home, Midge begins a daily journal to document her experiences during her final months. Eighteen Months To Live is the transcription of Midge’s handwritten journal as well as letters that Midge wrote to her daughter Rachele during that time. Midge writes about her emotional struggles, her physical pain, and her search for answers.
My Review
How do you give a review on a woman’s last words in this world? How can you put a star rating on them? I don’t know but that is my task here.
Midge Rylander found that information about her disease, malignant pleural mesothelioma, was extremely scarce. Eighteen Month’s to Live is a collection of her journal entries and letters from the time she was diagnosed until her death in the spring of 1992. Midge dedicated her life to helping others and this journal is no different. Her final wish was to provide much needed information about her disease to doctors and patients everywhere. In this, with her daughter, Rachele Baker’s help, she succeeded.
Taken as a whole, the journal shows Midge’s journey of self-discovery and her struggle to deal with her physical and emotional issues. Half of the entries are limited to her physical symptoms and daily life. It is a challenge to read. However, between the lines, we all bear witness to her bravery, determination and will to survive. She chose to refuse treatment and live alone but she chose to live.
I can’t say that I enjoyed this ‘book’. Who would? But I am glad that I read it. If you pay attention, Midge can teach us all a thing or two about what is important in life and in death. Everyone should read this ‘book’ at least once but those that have a terminally ill loved one especially. Thank you, Rachele, for sharing your mother’s wonderful gift. It is truly priceless.
Unknown
Thursday, October 22, 2015