A Doctor's Stories

Book excerpt: Has COVID changed the way we think about ethics? Do our dogs deserve better end-of-life options than people? Is there magic behind the door when a doctor sees a patient? How can we all pay it forward? These and many other issues are part of the message of the many stories. This book is a physician's reflection on his 40-plus years of interactions with family, friends, patients, medical students, and residents. The short stories are meant to show how humanism, professionalism, and ethical behavior can enrich one's life and that of others. The path leading to the insights is laid out for the reader using humor and reflection. All the stories are true and arranged to show how we all grow in our approach to life. Every moment in our life is worth experiencing and each opens an often unexpected door for us. The collection began as a method for the author to regain his memory after a serious illness. The impact of this is made clear and lays out how he became the person and physician he is, as well as the importance of sharing stories with others to allow them to reflect on their own path.