Another job I couldn't have...

I decided last night that I couldn't have been an oncologist.

One of my favorite students told me that her breast cancer was back -- and then some. She meets with her doctor today to find out the details, but it doesn't sound good.

I'm not sure of her details, but it sounds like she might have had a lumpectomy and radiation -- and her most recent check-up showed several lumps in her breast. Of course, I told her that a mastectomy isn't something to fear and that chemo can be much better than they tell you on tv... I also gave her my oncologist's name -- in case she can end up at my cancer center.

It is hard enough telling students that they've failed a quiz or something -- I can't imagine telling people that they have cancer. Worse (much, much worse) that their cancer isn't responding to treatment etc...

I left my office yesterday with a much deeper appreciation for my oncologist. He admits that he gets emotionally involved with his patients and that he wouldn't have it any other way. A month or so ago he told me he was headed to a memorial service for a patient he'd had for 13 years -- this patient wanted to talk to him before she gave up fighting her cancer... because she wanted his perspective/permission to quit. She died the day after she spoke with him...