So, doctor, can you cure me? This is a conversation between an 80 year old patient and me in the ER. Mr. X, has laryngeal cancer, or cancer of the voice box. Its 10 p.m. and hes alone. I start taking a social history and ask Mr. X how many children he has. He replies- Mr. X- 4 Me- where do they live? Mr. X- In Los Angeles. Me( thinking- strange that none of his kids are with him at 10 p.m.)- So where are your kids? Mr. X( crossing his arms across his chest)- I dont speak with them. Me- Why? Mr. X- None of your business. Me( to self)- Hmmmm. Me - You can tell me. Mr. X- like I said, none of your business. Me- Fine. Im going to check your labs and Ill be back in a few minutes. I get up to leave and Mr. X stops me. Mr. X- Wait a minute. You understand psychology or something? Ah, a little crack in the clouds. I go stand next to him. Me- So why dont you speak with your children? Mr. X( very cross now)- Hmph! you know my son, hes married to this really rich woman. And you know what he sent me for Christmas? A shirt you can buy at the 99 cent store. He could have bought me something more expensive, but he got me a shirt from the 99 cent store. Me- Really? Mr.X- Yeah! can you believe that? Me- Do you love your son? Mr. X shrugs. Me- I think you just put a price tag on your relationship with your son. Do you know how much it is?...99 cents. Mr. X looks a little rattled but acts even more cross. Mr. X- and my grandchildren. Every year they send me a stupid card for Christmas. A card. ONLY a card. Is that anyway to show their grandfather that they care? I ignore them. Every year I refuse to talk to them. Me- Have you ever considered, that maybe thats all they can afford? Mr. X stares at me. Me- maybe in their consistency they show their caring. Mr. X looks super uncomfortable and then tries to hide that with humor. Mr. X- So Doc, you think you can cure me? Me- You mean of the I dont speak with my children Laryngeal cancer you have? Sure, I can cure you. I pull out my prescription pad and write out a script that reads - CALL YOUR CHILDREN, UNLIMITED REFILLS. and hand it to Mr. X. Mr. X, reads it and starts laughing so hard. Tears role down his face as he lights up to joy and relief. Mr.X- Doc, Im going to call my children. I am. And, Im also going to frame this prescription. I smile as I walk away. Its a long night, theres work to be done. I think to myself about the cancers that plague us.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 05:16:44 +0000
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