Wisdom…

…the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. I read today a collection of words that exude wisdom. I share it with you because the purpose of this blog is to do create value through education. Peggy Girshman was an award-winning health journalist. When ill with a life-limiting illness, she wrote her own eulogy. NPR published it today after her death. Must-read is an overused phrase, but it modifies perfectly her words. Here are a few excerpts, with my thoughts. Work-Life Balance: Though Girshman wished she could have worked longer, “to convince someone I was right,” she also wished she had divided her life to spend more time with her family. That one is hard to see in real time, isn’t it? Low-grade Cancers: To “folks” with Stage 0 or less cancers, especially DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), or prostate cancer, Girshman advised resisting the “get it out of me” temptation. Why? Because approximately half don’t go on to become invasive cancers, and “you shouldn’t do all kinds of bad things to your body unnecessarily.” I’m no oncologist, but I know this: medical care comes with both benefit and harm. We are doing a better job these days of explaining both–but the best medical decision happens when fear and ignorance are removed. (Credit there goes to Harlan Krumholz.) Most of what I do in a heart rhythm clinic is fear extraction. Burden of Care: To women, Girshman warned that &...
Source: Dr John M - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: blogs