Having treated cancer patients for now 30 years <br />I've seen fear and anguish and of course so many tears <br />I've seen human nature at its worst and at its best <br />And witnessed those whose courage placed them well above the rest <br /> <br />Many of these struggles sadly ended in defeat <br />Yet even for these patients I saw life was still replete <br />With dignity and calm acceptance, humor and at last <br />Equanimity as what was present turned to past <br /> <br />I thank God for my blessings and the privilege granted me <br />In some small way to brighten lives plagued with infirmity <br />And though I know I saved some lives and helped more than a few <br />What I was given in return was much more than my due.<br /><br />Richard Lackman<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-cancer-surgeon/
