Eighteen Months To Live by Rachele Baker, DVM

Midge rushed to the hospital with terrible chest pain, shortness of breath, and a nagging cough. She thought she might have pneumonia, but her diagnosis turned out to be much worse. Midge was told that she had a form of lung cancer that was caused by prior exposure to asbestos called malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Midge’s doctors gave her the terrifying news that she had less than eighteen months to live. She had been handed a death sentence. How could she face her own mortality?

Midge decided to document her experiences during her final months of life so that her experiences could help others. 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 wrote about her emotional struggles, her physical pain, and her search for answers in a profoundly honest, sometimes heart-wrenching, yet ultimately heartwarming and inspirational manner.

After reading Eighteen Months To Live, E.D. Brady wrote in her review on Goodreads that this true story “shows a woman who handled herself with grace, poise, and dignity, as she tells of her daily trials and tribulations, her refusal to go down without a fight, and finally, her acceptance of the inevitable. It highlights the beauty of the human spirit, the vulnerability of life, and the need to remember that every day is precious. I found myself quickly bonding with Midge and commend Ms. Baker for putting this beautiful book out in the world for those who may be facing similar struggles. One word of advice: have a tissue or two ready for the epilogue.”