Gratitude

There are a few things you just cannot miss once you call yourself a doctor.

Cancer is one of them.

I don’t think my keen intellect or clinical skills were responsible for finding it in my patient.  I think it was God’s hand…in fact, I know it was.  She walked into my office because of a cough, but she seemed a little pale.  Within a week the diagnosis was made.  The HemeOnc specialist called me. Cancer.  What would I say to the parents?  I didn’t know what to say.  I didn’t have to.

Through his tears, her father’s first words to me:

“Doctor, I’m so grateful we found it.  I’m so grateful she can have medicine in this country.”

Remarkable.

I think I need to live 2009 with more gratitude.  I know I ended 2008 with it.