The child is father of the man

It was several decades ago when my father, not long retired from a lifetime of denominational service as a chemistry professor, noticed pain in his abdomen.  Initially attributing this to ingestion of some excessively hot tea, he ignored it for a time, hoping that, like many ailments, it would dissipate on its own.  When it did not, he sought medical attention. He ended up at the hospital where I worked, and his workup proceeded apace.  A CT abdominal scan revealed a tangerine-size mass in the tail of his pancreas that, upon needle biopsy, showed malignancy.  Angiography demonstrated encasement of the splenic artery and occlusion of the splenic vein. A well-intentioned surgeon with normally impeccable judgment convinced him to undergo surgery, which offered the only curative option.  The angiographic findings indicated nonresectability, and I was dubious, but my father, whose options were limited, elected to have the operation, hoping, as many of us undoubtedly do in such situations, against hope.  Perhaps the surgeon’s optimism was justified and his judgment not clouded by hubris. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Primary care Source Type: blogs