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The Delicate Balance of Treating the Cancer Patient

Being diagnosed with a life changing illness opens up a Pandora’s box of emotions. It is a time of great confusion and vulnerability. It is not only difficult to the patient and family but to the doctor as well. Having these patients in front of us stirs up our emotions as well. It brings to the forefront questions about...

The True Meaning of Hope and Healing

As a physician, I have sworn to cure the sick, provide comfort and preserve life. If a patient dies under my care, have I forsaken my duties? Not if I have discharged my functions diligently and with utmost care. Yet I remember vividly when I was in training, I felt overwhelming guilt every time a patient would pass away. I felt...

On Death and Dying

A friend whom I haven’t seen for a very long long time came to visit me. Over the course of our conversation, she asked me in an amazed but wondering tone “why on earth did you choose oncology (as a specialty)? So I told her my story but as I was relating to her, I realized that I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Being...

The Different Faces of Cancer

Josephine Josephine is a 58 year-old lady diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer. She underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy. Two years later, she developed a recurrence in the liver (Stage IV). She underwent chemotherapy again then surgery. She is now cancer free and has since then gone back to work. Annie Annie is a 72...

Hopeless Patient

As I explained to the family of a patient that he has Stage IV cancer, one relative said “Ay doktora wala nang pag-asa, hihintayin na lang mamatay” (“The patient is a hopeless case and there is nothing that can be done”). Patients with advanced cancer are never hopeless and should never be considered as second class...

The Art of Healing

I had a patient who had an advanced form of cancer. When she was diagnosed, her disease had already metastasized to her lungs and liver although at a glance, she did not manifest any trace of cancer at all. After repeatedly explaining to her the situation, it became very apparent that she was not able to grasp the extent of her...