My journey from operating on cancers to becoming a cancer patient
A retired surgeon recounts his personal experience of diagnosing himself with a malignant tumour after noticing haematuria. He reflects on his professional background and the psychological shift from being a doctor to a patient.
Why it matters
It provides a unique perspective on the medical profession's internal culture and the human experience of facing a life-altering diagnosis.
March 2, 7.30 a.m. I had initiated the act of micturition (urination), possibly for the 100,000 th time in the past 75 years. Ten seconds had passed. I saw 2 ml of diluted ‘coke’ in the urine stream. In that split second I realised that this was a breakdown of blood products, a condition known as haematuria. I recollected surgery classes taken 55 years ago, where the lecturer said – “When an elderly person passes blood there are only 3 diagnoses - a) malignancy b) malignancy c) malignancy.”
The narrative is a personal memoir and does not take a stance on public policy or controversial issues.
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