Smiles from the Clinic

You may be wondering why a doctor would attempt to write a (supposedly)humorous book about cancer. Well, I have found that too many people, evenother physicians, think that working with cancer patients is very serious businessand must be pretty depressing work. However, my experience has beenquite the opposite.The cancer patients with whom I have had the privilege to work with demonstratehumour, smiles and positivity every day. It helps them face theirdisease, cope with treatment and get on with their lives in a positive andmeaningful way. They are definitely among the most grateful people I haveever met, and working with them has made me a happier and better person.Much of the practice of medicine is about relationships and, as we all know,relationships, at least good relationships, are often filled with humour. Withinoncology (the specialty of cancer treatment), just like any other field of medicine,special relationships develop between patients and their physicians,and humour is often involved. That is definitely what I have observed in myclinical practice.This book is dedicated to cancer patients, as well as their families andfriends. All the stories are based on my personal experiences and observationsover 25 years of medical practice. Believe me, I am not a comedian orhumourist - just ask my kids. I would never be able to make up such funnystories myself.