What do you think?
The Last Ten Days - Academia, Dementia, and the Choice to Die: A Loving Memoir of Richard A. Brosio, Ph.D.
The Last Ten Days addresses the concerns of loved ones and caregivers, providing them not only with information but also acknowledging the sadness and frustration, the heartache and bittersweet memories experienced during this painful time. To these readers, the book says, “You are not alone.”
The Last Ten Academia, Dementia, and the Choice to Die is a heartrending memoir of love, scholarship, dignity, courage, and the choices one is forced to make when given the devastating diagnosis of a terminal illness. Spanning sixty years, this extraordinary book recounts the love story of Martha Risberg Brosio and her husband, Richard Brosio, Ph.D., a brilliant scholar and college professor whose communication skills dazzled all with whom he came in contact. Teenage sweethearts who went their separate ways after high school, Martha and Richard reconnected twenty-six years later over a friendly dinner that sparked into passionate love. They married in 1983, enjoying a vibrant life. Then tragedy struck. In late 2013, Richard was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a type of dementia similar to Alzheimer’s that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. The disease impacted Richard’s ability to communicate. Eventually, he would lose his verbal and processing skills. There was no cure. Determined to have a dignified death at the time and in the manner of his own choosing, Richard hastened his death two years after his diagnosis by voluntarily stopping eating and drinking, seeking only palliative and hospice care until the end. Reminiscent of Still Alice , The Notebook , Tuesdays with Morrie , and When Breath Becomes Air , The Last Ten Days grabs the heartstrings and gives a mighty tug.
The Last Ten Academia, Dementia, and the Choice to Die is a heartrending memoir of love, scholarship, dignity, courage, and the choices one is forced to make when given the devastating diagnosis of a terminal illness. Spanning sixty years, this extraordinary book recounts the love story of Martha Risberg Brosio and her husband, Richard Brosio, Ph.D., a brilliant scholar and college professor whose communication skills dazzled all with whom he came in contact. Teenage sweethearts who went their separate ways after high school, Martha and Richard reconnected twenty-six years later over a friendly dinner that sparked into passionate love. They married in 1983, enjoying a vibrant life. Then tragedy struck. In late 2013, Richard was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a type of dementia similar to Alzheimer’s that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. The disease impacted Richard’s ability to communicate. Eventually, he would lose his verbal and processing skills. There was no cure. Determined to have a dignified death at the time and in the manner of his own choosing, Richard hastened his death two years after his diagnosis by voluntarily stopping eating and drinking, seeking only palliative and hospice care until the end. Reminiscent of Still Alice , The Notebook , Tuesdays with Morrie , and When Breath Becomes Air , The Last Ten Days grabs the heartstrings and gives a mighty tug.
150 pages, Paperback
Published May 31, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 1, 2021
As a former hospice volunteer I found this book to be a moving tribute to a loving family man, professor and person of strong convictions. I was most interested in his decision to end his life before his health was totally out of his control. How he was able to accomplish that was extraordinary. With the support of his wife, Martha, Richard's last ten days was a feat of conviction, determination and strength.
Although I wasn't all that interested in his academic accomplishments, the idea that a person who's love of language and thought would slowly lose those abilities absolutely tugged at my heart.
Although I wasn't all that interested in his academic accomplishments, the idea that a person who's love of language and thought would slowly lose those abilities absolutely tugged at my heart.
August 24, 2019
This was the kind of book that is relatable to all of us. And a book that makes you think. I enjoyed the seamless way the author shifts the timeline from past to present- giving insight into the thoughts and actions of Richard and Martha. It is a quick read in the sense there are short chapters but I found myself lingering on some of the images and trying to absorb the message. I felt as if I was reading more of a love story than a book on academia, dementia, or the choice to die.
March 22, 2022
A Fantastic Memoir
I was a student of Richard Brosio in San Diego back in 1968-69. He truly taught me to think for myself and I have so much respect for him doing that. Ms Brosio memoir is so well-written and beautifully covers the bulk of his life, work, and personality, while also detailing the painful events of his final days.
I was a student of Richard Brosio in San Diego back in 1968-69. He truly taught me to think for myself and I have so much respect for him doing that. Ms Brosio memoir is so well-written and beautifully covers the bulk of his life, work, and personality, while also detailing the painful events of his final days.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews