like you'll never see me again
Today, I’m sharing the short story summary version of another feature-length screenplay, this one inspired by my grandmother, a term paper that she wrote in 1980; my mother, and my mother’s illness.
The backstory: After having practiced medicine for about 25+ years, my grandmother decided to go back to school to get her MPA - sheesh, talk about an overachiever (also, the apples don’t fall far from the tree? 🤷🏾♀️).
In March 1980, she wrote a term paper entitled, “The Right to Die As An Ethical Issue,” which later became her April 1981 thesis, entitled “Changing Concept in the Management of Terminal Illness.” In these papers, she asks: “Does a person who because of a diseased process which will prevent return to a desired functional life have the basic right to die with dignity on one's own terms?”
In Like You’ll Never See Me Again, a black doctor, who publicly advocates for the right to die, faces a difficult decision when her daughter receives a terminal diagnosis.
Main Characters:
"Pearl", a MILF-Y 60 something year old, Howard Medical school educated doctor. Energetic, fierce, and opinionated. She runs a black-owned family medical practice in Harlem with her husband “Dr Charles" and daughter “Dr. Joanne.”
"Joanne", 30-something Howard Medical school educated doctor. Beautiful, smart. Daughter of "Pearl" and "Charles."
"Charles", a patient 70 something Howard Medical school educated doctor. The calm to Pearl’s storm.
Mother Pearl, father Charles and daughter Joanne run a family medical practice in Harlem. Pearl also juggles graduate school, as she finishes up her Masters in Public Administration. She leaves the office early to hand in her final paper entitled, “The Right To Die As An Ethical Issue,” in which she advocates for a patient’s right to die with dignity.
“Being able to keep a continually greater number of increasingly debilitated persons alive, it has become necessary to question the value of an individual's life and the viability of its continuation. The desire for and request made by certain patients for the right of dignity in death or a death with dignity mandates that an assessment be made of the grounds for ceasing to preserve an individual's life. Does a person who because of a diseased process which will prevent return to a desired functional life have the basic right to die with dignity on one's own terms? Does the hopelessly sick and suffering need to submit to a sustaining treatment that brings him/her a life he/she deems not worth living?”
While cleaning up after Sunday dinner at Charles and Pearl’s, Joanne drops three heirloom crystal glasses on the floor. They shatter into pieces. Charles helps Joanne clean up the glass. He notices bruises on her legs. His typically gentle paternal nature becomes stern. He’s concerned.
At the family practice, Joanne struggles with mistakes. She's getting clumsy and forgetful. Charles picks up her slack. Pearl is too busy with graduation activities to notice. Her paper earns high honors and is published in medical journals. She is offered the opportunity to present her paper at medical conferences.
At Sunday dinner, Joanne makes a shocking announcement: she’s leaving the family practice to become Director of Pediatrics at the St. Thomas Hospital, USVI. She will be moving in a few months.
Pearl’s notoriety increases. She becomes a mini-celebrity in her field, leaving Charles to run the practice by himself.
In St. Thomas, Joanne’s mysterious symptoms continue. She has uncontrollable tremors. She drops and knocks things over. She falls, revealing bruises on her arms and legs. It’s becoming harder for her to hide.
Pearl and Charles visit St. Thomas to attend a symposium about Pearl’s paper. On a trip to the beach, Charles observes Joanne trying to hide her bruises. Joanne stumbles while walking. Charles presses Joanne again, which gets Pearl’s attention. Charles convinces Joanne to come back to the States to run some tests. Joanne privately reveals to Charles that she’s been doing research. She’s fearful that she has a terminal illness.
Back in the States, at the specialist’s office, Joanne reveals that she’s pregnant with her first child. Pearl is so distracted by the attention of being a celebrity doctor that she misses the pregnancy announcement and the doctor’s diagnosis. Charles pleads for Pearl to focus on what’s important; he consoles Joanne about the diagnosis. Joanne wants a second opinion. She leaves for St. Thomas.
Charles and Pearl have a serious conversation about Joanne's health as he drives Pearl to JFK. She’s off to another speaking gig.
Two Years Later…..
Pearl speaks to a packed room at an international medical conference. She passes out on stage. She recovers, but doesn't tell Charles or Joanne.
Joanne returns to the family practice. Charles and Joanne continue to see patients. Joanne's illness progresses for the worse. Her hands shake so badly that she is unable to administer a needle. She has a leg tremor and gets into a car accident with her kids. The next morning, Joanne wakes up completely paralyzed. She gets admitted to the hospital.
Pearl flies back to New York, and rushes to meet Joanne and Charles at the hospital. Joanne has regained mobility, but the prognosis is not good. Joanne is forced to retire from practicing medicine.
Charles and Pearl help Joanne land a teaching position at a local university. Despite the teaching gig, Joanne misses practicing and becomes depressed. Her condition worsens. She uses a cane to walk. Joanne and Pearl discuss the right to die. Joanne hints about her decision. Pearl reminds Joanne of all the wonderful things that Joanne has to live for. Pearl is completely blind to Joanne's downward spiral.
Joanne's illness takes over, and she spirals further. Joanne and Pearl argue at Sunday dinner: Joanne tells Pearl her life is not worth living anymore and that she wants to die with dignity. Pearl angrily refuses to accept her daughter’s decision. Pearl coughs up blood, she hides it from Charles and Joanne.
At Pearl’s annual check-up appointment, her x-rays reveal an issue. She tells Charles about the symptoms she’s been hiding for months. Pearl seeks treatment, but her condition deteriorates rapidly.
Joanne has another episode and ends up back in the hospital. Pearl and Joanne share a hospital room. Joanne is angry and depressed and has lost all hope. She tells Pearl that she's ready to go. Pearl adamantly refuses to accept Joanne's choice.
Pearl dies peacefully in her sleep the night.
Charles pushes Joanne, in a wheelchair, into Pearl’s funeral. Joanne reads her mother’s eulogy.
Charles and his grandchildren put flowers on Joanne and Pearl's headstones.
