Louisville Medicine Volume 63, Issue 8 | Page 20

HOPE VERSUS FEAR Barbara E. Shanklin, EDD W hen first hearing about the “Wear the White Coat Program,” I was intrigued, but my initial thought was “I really don’t have time in my schedule for this.” However, since completing the program, I can’t imagine skipping this wonderful and enlightening experience. I was assigned to Dr. Robert Martin, a surgical oncologist with the University of Louisville Department of Surgery. His conversation was compelling throughout my visit. I can’t imagine having a better teacher or a more compassionate guide. When most people hear they are being referred to oncology they too often feel this referral as a death sentence, or, at the very least, an unknown to be greatly feared. When I hear the word oncology, my thoughts are not too far from this perspective, as cancer has affected and/or taken beloved family members and close friends from me. I am from a family of 13 children and nearly a third of my siblings have had some form of cancer. In 2009 and 2011, I had two sisters who lost their battle with a type of blood and ovarian cancer; two of my other sisters have breast cancer that is in remission and I have a sister-in law who had a double mastectomy about a month ago. When I arrived for my first tour, I was nervous not knowing what to expect, and I was also worried that all I would see were patients in pain or greatly weakened from this disease and its treatments. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Participation in the White Coat program provided me with many memorable learning experiences, which I will not soon forget. Not only did this experience afford me an opportunity to observe firsthand the importance of surgical oncology, but it has also given me an overall perspective of why others should take part in this worthy program. Dr. Robert Martin showed compassion and interest in all of his patients and their families, while maintaining professionalism and tremendous knowledge of his medical specialty. His patient consultations (approximately 25 per day) stressed the importance of taking ownership of one’s diagnosis and treatment plans. Dr. Martin’s genuine interest in his patients' personal lives provided me with a lesson that could not be obtained from any textbook. He emphasized the importance for all of striving to acquire both a healthy frame of mind as well as lifestyle through eating correctly, exercising and regular checkups as preventive measures that can be taken against the onset and spreading of cancer. During my shadowing period, I was privy to several consultations, including a post-surgical cancer patient. This young man shared a story with Dr. Martin concerning the successful impregnation of his wife via artificial insemination. This devoted oncology surgeon listened intently to his patient before responding in a teasing manner that there could be more than one baby, “Twins!” he said, implying all that comes with twins. This patient also shared the good news of the purchase of a new home, along with his wife, a major life experience in which Dr. Martin had encouraged him to pursue in spite of his illness. Many of the patients I saw coped with their diagnosis in different ways but I was most struck by those whose humor shined through any weakness, pain or fear. One anecdote that has vividly remained with me is from a gentleman to whom Dr. Martin was explaining the possible outcomes of his surgery. When told that the use of one of his legs might be affected by the removal of the tumor his response was not of despair 18 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE Barbara Shanklin spoke to the group about shadowing Dr. Robert Martin. or anger over the uncontrollable, it was humor. “Doctor,” he said, “As long as I’m standing six feet above the ground and not six feet below, the outcome will be a good one.” Everyone in the room was taken by laughter including and most loudly the patient. More important than our shared laughter however was what the patient implied with his humor. It was an ability to see through a possibly uncertain future and understand that while not all outcomes are exactly what we want, all we can do is face them with resilience and strength as they happen in their own time. Shadowing Dr. Martin has given me insight into the true nature of what is provided in the Oncology Department—hope. From start to finish the patients I interacted with were filled with hope and a sense of healing. For so many, Oncology is a fear of the unknown and a loss of control, but the patients I saw were individuals who had taken control of their lives and their illnesses. Every person I interacted with had a story of personal and physical self-examination. While I will not know the outcome of their stories, I am confident in the quality of care each had and will receive. I firmly believe that it was the caregivers, the doctors, nurses and hospital staff that fostered the feeling of hope for individual patients as well as their families. What is provided is a sense of the possible, not a false hope of happy endings for everyone but rather a place where life is honored at every stage of illness. Specifically, it was the palliative care that every patient and their family received. There was a strong layer of support that dealt with their specific needs at whatever stage of care they were in, not just curative treatment alone but rather a holistic approach of healing both in mind and body. I can’t speak more highly of the oncology department, Dr. Martin, his tremendous team, and, most importantly, the incredible and hopeful men and women being treated there. I am honored and humbled to have had this experience, and I would wholeheartedly encourage others to participate in the Wear the White Coat Program if afforded an opportunity to do so. Barbara Shanklin is an elected member of Louisville’s Metro Council representing the 2nd District. She participated in the 2015 Wear the White Coat program.