This Christmas I’d like to write a letter to the daughter of one of my patients – because I could cure her mother’s cancer but only she could ease the greatest pain We believe never met and are unlikely to achieve so but I wanted you to know this. Your mother has been my patient for the past several years. You might recall that her cancer diagnosis really shook her,coming so close after your father died unexpectedly and robbed her of her greatest support.
Fortunately, her early detection meant she was cured and over time cancer just became an addition to her charts. Most patients cant wait to see the back of us doctors – not for them the reminder of illness, and the interminable waits and the apprehension that clings to you as soon as you set foot in the hospital. But your mother was different – each time I broached a discharge she would view crestfallen and ask if she could approach back just one more time because she felt safe. I believe lost track of all her visits but I know that at some point her fear of cancer receded and it was hardly a topic of conversation. Instead,I remember other things. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com