Resolution of Forth Clinical Simulation

Take-home Message

Never repress feelings

(Fictional narrative by the doctor)

James Fleck, MD, PhD: Anticancerweb 17 (11), 2019

Charles had an introspective behavior. Very early took care of a family business. He felt responsible for everything and everyone. Despite the apparent neutrality there was a sense of ambivalence. His narrative was factual hiding his actual feelings. The family legacy had shielded the patient. The relationships were based on theatrical roles.

Supported by an extramarital relationship, Charles was able to face a diagnosis of hepatitis C and, later, a treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. However, he progressively spoiled the relationship, reproducing the same apathetic behavior he used to express at home.

When Charles completed 68 years old he had a liver cancer and felt himself guilty for being sick. Despite the physician efforts he was never able to free express his feeling and died from progressive disease not responding to any treatment modality.

Charles's story shows that we must not repress feelings. From the beginning, life needs to be fully exercised in line with individual dreams. When a person lies to others, he is lying to himself.

The loss of authenticity creates suffering for the individual, as well as for his affective and social bonds. 

Emotional rescue is possible, but it usually takes a long time.

Attention: The story 4 was published sequentially from PLOT 1 to PLOT 6 and you will always see the most recent posting. To read Story 4 from the beginning, just click in the numbered links located at the bottom of the homepage. 

 © Copyright 2019 Anticancerweb

James Fleck, MD, PhD: Full Professor of Clinical Oncology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, RS, Brazil 2019