COMMENTARY
Chris is right to highlight what a privilege it is to work with his amazing patients. That is how I felt about him from the start. At our first meeting, I took a deep breath and introduced myself to him and his very pregnant wife, and I told Chris that he had an issue we needed to take care of.
Based on my 30 years as a neurologist, I knew his situation was not going to be a picnic, even before we met. An examination confirmed he had a cerebellar-like syndrome. I turned to Chris, paused, and then thought for a moment. “Your unsteady feeling, did it just happen or has it been going on for months?” His wife answered, “I think Chris has mentioned this to me for years.”
When he nodded yes, I found myself smiling along with Chris for the first time. Not being acute, the tumor was likely benign, and a surgical cure possible.
note: This commentary is an adaptation of a version that appeared on Dr. Chiou's blog.
- 1.Epidermoid Brain Tumor Society: http://epidermoidbraintumorsociety.org/
- 2.Society of Physicians With Disabilities: http://www.physicianswithdisabilities.org/