There was a moving essay in the NEJM this week by a young woman, studying for a doctorate in psychology, who received chemotherapy while doing medical research on a gap year between college and graduate school.
“I stuck Post-It notes on the wall behind my bed, revealing data unrelated to my chronic illness but vital to my humanity, such as “I am a big sister” and “I climbed Machu Picchu” and “I like cupcakes” — so that anyone coming to round on me could see who I was, under the hospital gown…”
Her illness enabled her to recognize that “provisions for a supportive companion might make an enormous difference in patients’ experience of care. As a researcher, I wanted to do something about it. So I decided to write a grant for chairs in the infusion unit.”
“’The chair grant,’ as I came to refer to it, seemed to encapsulate the chimera that I was the fusion of patient and researcher. “
“It was not about chairs: to me, it was about comfort, compassion, dignity, and support. It was about not being only a patient or only a researcher…”
Many of you will be inspired by Jennie David’s short essay. Here is the pdf: Download The Chair Grant
The day after reading Ms. David’s memorable piece, I saw an article in the NY Times on “Doctors with Disabilities,” that is a fine lagniappe to Jennie David’s poignant viewpoint.
A few of you may be interested in these articles. The Wounded Healers is a big and important topic.