In Shock: My Journey from Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope

by Rana Awdish

Physicians often enter the lives of patients on their absolute worst days. They meet without the benefit of social graces. Patients appear depersonalized in generic hospital uniforms. They lack means to project their identity through dress or choice of hairstyle. They lack ability to control their circumstances. They might be in pain, scared and suffering. They might be angry, frustrated and disenfranchised. They might be worried about bills at home or who will feed the dog. They might be addicts. They might have made terrible choices. They might be easy to judge. They might not have the skills to be kind while in pain; they might never in their lives have had kindness shown to them. They might have been abused or violated by someone they trusted. They might be many things. But one thing is true: they are doing their best. The patient, even the accusatory and fearful patient, is doing their best.