ONLY A LITTLE TIME: A Memoir of My Wife

by Sidney L. Werkman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 24, 1972

More sad songs and a painful account of terminal illness written in part as a tribute to Sandy -- Dr. Werkman's young wife who died of leukemia -- and to others, especially her father, and also for those who are ""caretakers of other lives."" Sandy was obviously a very special girl who could really fill up a day -- with their infant, teaching, tennis, opera, etc. in Washington, D.C. At the time when the diagnosis was easily made, Dr. Werkman was advised to let her think she was only anemic and she maintained her activities from transfusion to transfusion. He did everything to further the illusion that she would get well right up to the end while trying himself to find -- it might be only a few words -- something which would enable him to distance past the reality. There is a good deal about the progression of the disease as it appropriated her spine, her vision, and finally was beyond the reach of any medication. Dr. Werkman hoped that the ""last act [could] be played with majesty."" It was -- but certainly in any devastating illness such as this where pain and drugs slowly obliterate the world and the sufferer, an even greater courage is demanded of the survivor who bears witness and tries to confer a more easeful death. A book like this may help some people -- in any case it affirms that ""the art of living well and dying well are one"" and can be achieved with gallantry and grace.

Pub Date: Oct. 24, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1972

Categories: NONFICTION