Dear insurance doctor: You are not my peer

Physician
September 1, 2017

I am a gynecologic-oncologist. I work in the high-stakes realm of cancer care. I strategize complex treatment plans involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and the newer biological agents to treat the myriad of disease that we call collectively “cancer.” Cure — or at least control — requires urgent and timely administration of these modalities along with various imaging or blood work to assure that the treatment prescribed is effective. I love …

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Dear insurance doctor: You are not my peer

Cancerism and the harms of our negative cancer bias

Conditions
July 6, 2015
YouTube video

As a practicing gynecologic oncologist, I have spoken the words, “I’m sorry, you have cancer,” or some version of that sentence thousands of times. And although my delivery is fairly consistent, modified only slightly to improve understanding, my patients’ responses vary from stunned silence to uncontrollable, overwhelming cataplexy. The stalwart emphatically reply “I’m gonna beat this thing,” but the vast majority tentatively wonder “How long do I have?” and retreat …

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Cancerism and the harms of our negative cancer bias

The conspiracy of cancer prognosis

Conditions
March 1, 2014

It should be easy, right? I mean, I am a professional with what feels like eons of training. So how can an oncologist with years of experience fail at perhaps the most important question a patient can ask, ”How long do I have, Doc?”

It’s not that I want to avoid the question. Well, okay, sometimes I do. It’s not the most pleasant of conversations to have. But really, I don’t …

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The conspiracy of cancer prognosis

A frequent witness to the power of faith

Physician
March 29, 2013

I believe the role that God plays in our lives is often magnified during times of great suffering. How we perceive that role is a question of faith, often strong and steadfast in some, especially my patients, but sometimes unreliable and inconvenient to others, like myself, on a journey of understanding and acceptance.

During the terminal stages of my grandmother’s colon cancer, I recall her saying, “Je pense que le Bon …

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A frequent witness to the power of faith

Leukemia crept into my home and attacked my wife’s body

Physician
February 15, 2013

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“Look at all those beautiful little white flowers,” I said to my wife. “I don’t remember seeing them there before.”

In the neglected ten-by-thirty foot corner of our garden, a crop of white flowers began to emerge toward the end of the summer.

“You never saw them because they are weeds,” my wife said.

“What do you mean … weeds?” I asked. “They are beautiful!”

“Weeds …

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Leukemia crept into my home and attacked my wife’s body

A hospice visit: We will sing together again some day

Physician
January 28, 2013

I mustered up the courage to visit Mary today.

Pulling into her driveway, I was greeted with the majesty of autumnal brilliance—golds, rusts, and crimsons set against a brilliant azure sky. A bold display of nature’s defiance against the upcoming long winter’s sleep. Not to be ignored, those leaves that had flamed out early chattered against my every step as I slowly ambled toward the doorway.

I took a deep breath and …

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A hospice visit: We will sing together again some day