Five things that should be said

Five things I wished I said more often:

1. Look, it’s near the end of the day and I’m stressed. Can you remind me to slow down and listen?

2. Just because I am a radical skeptic when it comes to the utility of many tests doesn’t mean I don’t care about your symptoms.

3. Put your cell phone away, please.

4. Tell me something about yourself that doesn’t have anything to do with your illness.

5. What sort of person are you really, deep down?