getting the gist of it

three months ago i began my training as a cancer doctor. i spend my days taking care of patients in varying stages of their disease. some waltz into my clinic with a smile and a new haircut. some are pushed in sagging, rusted wheelchairs. some appear only as death notices on my electronic patient record. all have needs.

taking care of the cancer patient is taking care of her entire family. taking care of the cancer patient is taking care of all her needs, whether or not they relate to her cancer because, at some point, all their needs relate to their cancer.

i worked hard to get to this point in my career. these are the patients i have always gravitated toward, but the more time i spend with them, the more drained i feel. to care of them, i must open myself to them and their pain. hopefully, in the coming days, months, years, i can chronical my interactions with patients, families, and health care workers as i begin to understand oncology.

i'm beginning to get the gist of it.