Comments on: Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

by: Cancergiggles

Fri, 16 Dec 2005 11:45:37 +0000

The guy in the white coat, on the other side of the desk, gets up several days of the week, knowing he is going to have to tell people that their life will end prematurely. No amount of cash, free stethoscopes or drugs can make that a good way to wake up. He wants to do his best for you; he will use all of his hard learned skills, so please give the poor sod a break. My experience is that he needs to laugh as much as you. Help him. Enjoy life. All of it. Even the crap. LAUGH! I also found with one consultant (they are often little Gods with their minions) that when I wound up this internationally known surgeon about his shaky hands, incompetence and frequent visits to the golf course, it put him and his whole department in an amiable frame of mind. He is a 20 hour a day, 7 day a week guy who is incredibly skilled. He is also a human being.

by: Linda

Sun, 04 Dec 2005 09:15:27 +0000

I also guessed that the patient had gained some weight, and most likely had a lower body temperature as well given the shift away from a hypermetabolic state. TY for a really inspiring blog. I’m an NP who has worked with oncology patients and lived through the cancer experience with several family members. Blessings to you.

by: Dana

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 01:00:35 +0000

“Well Done”! I am a 32 year old breast cancer survivor. Six short months ago I didn’t even know what an oncologist was! How grateful I am for dedicated practitioners in this field of practice! Although we may not always return to your offices…you will ALWAYS remain in our hearts!!

by: denise

Sat, 19 Nov 2005 16:59:15 +0000

Thank you for sharing your thoughts as an oncologist. It has helped me to walk in the shoes of those that have served as my oncology professionals. I have “left” them now, as you have said, as one that no longer needs their services… a ’survivor’. Yet, as you say, the insidious disease seems to plague so many of the best and brightest. Thank you for serving humanity in the way that you have chose. We hope to have spent our days of this incredible life wisely, indeed to earn those two wonderful words.. “well done”. May God continue to place His hands into yours.

by: Teresa

Fri, 18 Nov 2005 11:39:45 +0000

This is an amazing and touching post… I myself was diagnosed with cancer at 16, and am now an oncology pharmacist. i know what it’s like to want to be free from the clinics, from the treatments, from the health care professionals associated.. but i also know how incredibly much i, as a patient, appreciated every little thing the oncologists and their team gave to give my life back to me. it may not always be expressed by the patient, but i believe that every single person who knows someone or is themselves touched by cancer, appreciate with all of their heart everything that oncologists give to fight the battle against cancer with their patients.
thank you.

by: Minerva

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:38:11 +0000

Whereas a patient’s view would be ‘you’re free’.

Minerva

by: Kim

Tue, 15 Nov 2005 08:23:25 +0000

A beautiful post; well said.

by: Allen Searls

Tue, 15 Nov 2005 00:39:54 +0000

This is a powerful summation of what oncologist’s go through. The importance of the moment, the immediacy of doc-patient relationship is made very clear, especially in contrast to what family doc’s experience. Thanks for the insight and glimpse into what you go through, I’ll be linking to this.

Allen

by: Real Cancer, Real Lives #6

Mon, 14 Nov 2005 17:51:22 +0000

[…] I’m also including this post from The Cheerful Oncologist. […]

by: Jeannette

Sat, 12 Nov 2005 21:47:47 +0000

I remember sitting in my oncologist’s office for the first time, my head filled with new acronyms and big medical words I had just learned. With all the questions I wanted to ask about the disease, only one seemed to come out. “Why is this your passion?” I asked the overly energetic doctor with an electric smile. She turned to me and quickly replied, “Because there is so much hope. There is just so much hope. Of all the work I could be doing this is the most rewarding work I could ever do.” With that I knew I had found the perfect doctor for me. There would be time for all the other questions. And even though it has been just under a year and a half since that day, I always remember to say thank you and share the positive things as well as the complaints. Deep down I have always wondered how you do it, how you face it every day. Thank you for sharing this and letting us all see inside the mind and heart of an oncologist.