Review: A poignant, inspiring memoir
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 7, 2013
Eighteen Months To Liveis the story of a woman who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Mesothelioma, told through her journal entries. Midge Rylander writes down a daily account of coping with advanced cancer, her fears, joys, and frustrations with communicating with her specialists.With each new ache or swelling, she is anxious that the cancer is spreading, and she looks forward to X-rays that show no progression. She goes about her daily tasks of keeping a home, chopping wood, and enjoying her home on the lake. She continues to be a loving mother and grandmother, and looks forward to a new baby in the family.We see the reactions of her family, how they support her, worry about her, and appreciate their time together. Her daughter, Karen will be her caretaker and takes an active roll in talking to her mom's doctors, to prepare for end of life issues.I was a little hesitant to read this because my mother died of Stage 4 cancer, and I was her caregiver. But I'm glad I did, because there were so many similarities in both lives.Unfortunately, Mrs. Rylander had this disease over 20 years ago, when there was not very much information. She was frustrated by the outdated pamphlets available. She was interested in talking to people that shared her diagnosis. We've come a long way since then, and there is a lot of information on the internet, and support and chat boards where patients and families can connect for support and advice.This would be a good book for patients and families of who are facing terminal cancer. It would also be wonderful for doctors and nurses who care for them to read. My mother had the same problems communicating with her doctors, though she was fortunate to be treated at a top rated cancer center. When Mrs. Rylander finally wrote down questions and recorded the session with her oncologist, she seemed more satisfied. It isn't that the doctor didn't care, but rather a lack of picking up on the unspoken fears.Highly recommended.