Today I learned probably the greatest lesson in medicine. It had nothing to do with learning about asthma from probably the smartest man in pediatrics at Wake Forest. And nothing about learning about various chemotherapies, their uses, side effects, etc. etc. It had nothing to do with the biochemical, physical, biological mumbo-gumbo that makes us doctors pretend we're smart. I learned today that sometimes, the greatest message a person can bring is one of hope. Hope that, even though it's the darkest hour of treatment, you are not alone. There are others that have gone through these same exact moments before you, even at the same time as you. I learned that simply by saying, "everything is normal", it provides hope. Hope that as scary is it may seem right now, everything is going exactly as expected. That after feeling awful for right now, you'll start to feel better. I am awed by the power a message of hope carries. Humbled that I can provide that message. It's such a wonderful feeling knowing that simply by being present and continuing to be present, even after I've rotated off-service, I can help someone keep fighting through even the worst parts of their treatment. I am humbled and honored to be a doctor-to-be.
