Articles
COLLEAGUE OR PATIENT?
Paul Kalanithi, age 36, was completing a decade’s worth of training as a neurosurgeon
when he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. His book, When Breath Becomes Air, reveals
his struggles with values —and the meaning of life and death. (It’s one of the most thought
provoking books I’ve read in years.)
Emma Hayward became Paul’s doctor. At the outset of their relationship Paul started
reading about chemotherapy, and endeavored to become a consultant on his own case. Emma
informed him, “I’m totally happy for us to make your medical plan together … But if you ever
want me to just be the doctor, I’m happy to do that, too.”
For a long time Paul felt the responsibility of his own care, but after a week in ICU and
seeing the conflicts between each group of specialists, he wished Emma were there, in charge.
Suddenly, she appeared.
“You know how you offered to just be the doctor and I could just be the patient? I think
that’s maybe a good idea.” And he released himself from the responsibility of his own medical
care.
Has it ever occurred to you how often we want to be a colleague with the Great Physician
rather than a patient? That mind set enters the picture when it comes to the way we want to be
saved; the morals that guide our lives; the expectations we have of a good life; and even the way
we want to die.
The wise course for us is to let the Lord take charge of our lives, to turn to the Great
Physician and pray, “Thy will be done.” In the words of Cyrus S. Nusbaum:
His pow’r can make you what you ought to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
‘Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.
John Gipson
Windsong church of Christ, Little Rock, AR
