Before I was diagnosed with cancer I thought I knew a lot about sickness and health. In my
practice as a general internist and palliative care physician I had prided myself on being a …

As an oncologist and palliative care physician, I was vaguely aware of the concept of
mindfulness,“the quality of being fully present and attentive in the moment during everyday …

I have a book to keep track of all my patients who have died. It varies from one to 10 people
a month, and looking through it is a humbling reminder of courage, faith, and the value of …

When I was given a diagnosis of cancer, my first thought was not, Will I die? but rather, How
can I beat this? Like a youngster who flunks a big test, I immediately began to worry about …

In the article “Doc, How Much Time Do I Have?” 1 it is noted that the patient's voice was not
heard. Only one of seven physicians checked in with Mrs Smith before answering the …

Introduction A cancer diagnosis often provokes overwhelming fear, instantly shattering
feelings of invulnerability, destabilising one's sense of identity and undermining …

Compared with the close monitoring and almost daily contact patients have with physicians
and staff, the end of chemotherapy or a course of radiation treatment feels to many patients …

These are powerful words, and it is impressive how very much we want to say them. The
patient is in distress. The physician's voice is calm, reassuring.“You're going to be OK. I'ma …

Ilike chronic cancer. No, not the disease. The term. Too bad I didn't think of it sooner. Many
years ago, my indolent lymphoma was living up to its notoriety by returning time after time …

Robert was referred to me by a head and neck surgeon for treatment of what appeared to be
stage IV angiosarcoma. He was an articulate and soft-spoken, 82-year-old, fit, retired …