Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient: Reflections on Healing and Regeneration

It all began, I said, when I decided that some experts don’t really know enough to make a pronouncement of doom on a human being.

I became convinced that nothing a hospital could provide in the way of technological marvels was as helpful as an atmosphere of compassion.

There was first of all the feeling of helplessness—a serious disease in itself.

This principle was underlined for me by a New York City doctor who telephoned to say he had terminal cancer. He said he had been prompted by the NEJM article to try to get the most out of life while he was still mobile and capable of making direct contact with all the things that gave him pleasure.

The central point the doctor had made about the quality of life is worth stressing. Not every illness can be overcome.

The regenerative and restorative force in human beings is at the core of human uniqueness. Sometimes this force is blocked or underdeveloped.

no medication they could give their patients was as potent as the state of mind that a patient brings to his or her own illness.

‘We have to cure ourselves of the itch for absolute knowledge and power. We have to close the distance between the push-button order and the human act. We have to touch people.’”

If the physician allows machinery to be interposed between him and the patient, he will be in danger of forfeiting powerful healing influences.