A Decent Interval

by Matt Lambert

Explore the struggle to share personal fears in this emotional, and at times humorous, novel about an esteemed surgeon who faces a secret life-or-death diagnosis.

Dr. Doug Jameson is in the prime of his medical career when he discovers he has cancer. After a friend sets up his therapy schedule, Jameson returns home to continue practicing medicine while also attempting to fix tense family relationships—including with his wife, who doesn't know about his illness, and his mom, who's already dealt with too much loss in her life.

Despite finding ways to cope with illness, Jameson is forced to confront his own mortality and humanity when his health takes an unexpected turn.

A Decent Interval is a transformative read about one man's journey to realize what's important in life before it's too late. What we learn from loss is ultimately a gift that can help us to live better, do better, and love better in the time that we have.

Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2023

Reviews

[Sheila Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who lost both parents to cancer, this book was insightful and difficult to read. Detailing the journey of terminal illness from diagnosis to the end of the battle, the book helped me realize how much they sheltered me from what they were going through and how I should have done more to break down that wall so I could do more for them. The book reminds us that we can’t be afraid to have true connections with those we love. It’s told from a unique perspective of a medical professional becoming a patient. It shows the variety of reactions from the closest people in his life to those on the periphery and how the disease and treatment are frustrating to the patient and the healthcare professional. The book creates tension from the start as it describes a doctor squeezing a self-diagnosis in the middle of a busy workday. It shows the busy life of a surgeon, giving insight into the demanding life of a medical professional. The details give you an idea of the sickness, injury, illness, and death in a hospital from a medical professional’s point of view without being too graphic and showing the difficulty in maintaining emotional distance from patients and their families. This helps you understand how the main character’s life will need to change after his diagnosis as he navigates his existence as both doctor and patient and how he can balance that with being a more present husband, father, and son as the illness takes its toll on him. It reminds us that it shouldn’t take a tragedy or terminal illness for us to finally prioritize what is most important.

[Jared Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story delves into the complexities of facing a serious illness, not only from the patient's perspective but also from the unique viewpoint of a medical professional. The dual role of Dr. Jameson as both a doctor and a patient adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, offering insights into the challenges of maintaining professional composure while dealing with personal health issues.

The emotional impact of the story, adds another layer of connection and empathy. It's the mark of a well-crafted piece when it evokes genuine emotions and resonates with the reader on a personal level. The exploration of family dynamics, the impact on relationships, and the portrayal of the medical field's demands and emotional toll are all elements that contribute to a rich and multifaceted narrative. It seems like the author has successfully woven together various aspects of the human experience, from the fragility of life to the importance of genuine connections with loved ones.

A Decent Interval's ability to convey the hopes and disappointments associated with cancer treatment, as well as the way it handles the transformation of the main character's priorities, suggests a nuanced and realistic portrayal of the challenges that individuals facing serious illnesses may encounter.

[Simone Tilmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can tell this author is well seasoned and confident in their writing skills by the way they easily render a full – bodied setting and relatable, not idealized characters. Immediately you are painted a vivid mental image of the scene in the doctor’s office and swept into the emotions of the main character as he struggles through trying to be strong after finding out about his own physical condition. The mental gymnastics alone that he harbors by myself while debating on the best time to tell his wife is enough to grip readers; not to mention how the news will hurt his young children. I do not envy the main character having to proceed with his job as a surgeon, which is already very stressful, while feeling his mortality. Him having to maintain a professional, caring demeanor while talking to patients who are ill or dying is not a task for the weak. Needless to say the author paints an emotional picture that will captivate and help pass time enjoyably for anyone looking for some leisure reading.