To be SEEN and HEARD

A few days ago, my sister in law Anne sent me a thought provoking and beautifully written article. It is titled, The cancer patient who changed my approach to medicine (2023) and is by a first year University of Auckland medical student Thomas Swinburn. My edited version for space and brevity follows.

‘On the first day of my first clinical year I met a patient who would challenge my perception of clinical medicine, a Māori man named Ereuti. He wanted to leave hospital, but his oncologist told him that without the constant intravenous infusion, he would be making the choice to go home to die. I asked him what mattered most to him now. He replied, “What matters is regaining health, eating without this tube in my throat and moving my bowels naturally. Relationships. Relationships where I can be myself. Relationships like the one we’re building.” 

I had no words for Ereuti’s answer. It drilled down to the very essence of what it meant to be human. I was uplifted and moved by what he said. 

The doctor-patient relationship is one of reciprocity and the insight and wisdom we gain and perhaps take for granted is humbling. Relationships are most healthy when both parties feel comfortable revealing their true selves and at times being vulnerable.
Ereuti eventually left hospital, but a few months later he returned. He said to Thomas, “I’m at peace with dying… it’s good to see you again.” Ereuti passed away a short time later.’ Thomas writes further that along with medicines, asking and listening are the most essential tools in our medicine cabinet. In conclusion, he says that Ereuti showed him that it is the humanity we all possess that is the most powerful medicine.

To be seen and heard is to be valued. See and hear people today. The experience will change both of you.