Miss Mettie didn't believe she was dying. She never spoke of dying. Sent home with a prognosis of death, she instead thrived. Eventually the Hospice had to discharge her because she was obviously not dying. Eight or more years had passed.
Tumor Board is held in hospital at noon. Oncologists, radiologists, surgeons and pathologists discuss cases and collaborate on the best treatment for the patient over lunch. Names are not mentioned, only disease processes. Slides are shown of the tumor at the cellular level. Surgeons report on what they saw during the surgery. Oncologists and radiologists discuss the most reasonable plan of action.
The case concerned a patient with a certain type of cancer. The new young oncologist, cocky and sure of himself, pronounced that such tumors never had a good outcome and swift death was certain, textbook case. The old surgeon leaned over to the radiologist sitting beside me and in sotto voce said, "He doesn't know Miss Mettie, does he?"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment