I looked at the pathology report and thought: Oh God!
The result was not expected yet was there.
I searched for any words that may have been flawed,
But the report filled my heart with despair.
He was a young man still with many dreams.
I had to call him in and give him the bad news.
While I thought of what to say, I only wanted to scream.
My emotions were hanging on a short fuse.
He was sitting in the chair waiting for me,
His eyes looked quite unsure.
I wished to set his cancer free.
But, for him, there was no good cure.
I sat and looked him in the eye.
And I saw he understood.
The words from his mouth did fly.
I answered him as best I could.
“Why me?”, he asked aloud.
I told him that I did not know why.
“What about my kids?”, he asked with head bowed.
There was no answer I could specify.
He was starting on a painful journey.
One that would bring suffering and tears.
The end would probably lead to a gurney.
He left with referrals, and a heart filled with new fears.
Today is World Cancer Day.
Let’s remember those who have died,
And those who are stilling keeping theirs at bay.
Let’s hope this disease can be nullified.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016 Linda Girgis, MD, FAAFP
That is one of the hard parts of our occupation: telling the bad news.
Riding through part of the storm with them.
Beautiful.
Thanks, Linda!