Richard D. Sontheimer is a dermatologist.
It started with an early morning drive to the golf course on the day before Father’s Day. It was a beautiful spring day in the Southwest, and the Man had it all to himself. However, the second half of the day would belong to others — his wife, his kids, his house, and his job. He was hoping for a quick 18 requiring no mental gymnastics beyond that of a …
A tall, thin, down-glancing man slumped in a chair in the corner of the exam room.
His gray-haired wife sat primly next to him.
They were here with their adult wheelchair-bound daughter.
For the past two decades, the daughter had been under their constant care at home.
A chronic progressive illness had wreaked havoc on this young woman’s body.
Her adult life had been held prisoner by an insidious neurologic disorder.
She was having a problem …
An essay from 1989.
Some day one of my children will likely ask what I once asked my stepfather, “Dad, do you think I should try for med school?” I feel that it will most likely be our inquisitive middle child, Clayton John (“CJ”). And, when that time comes, what will I say to Mr. CJ?
For many physicians in the past, the answer to this question would have been a resounding, …
While sitting one evening with my terminally ill elderly mother, she again asked me to help her end her suffering. This time it was, “Could you just go get the hammer and hit me in the head?” Her previous requests had included “Son, you are a doctor, can’t you do something to help me with this?” And then, “They treat animals better than this.”
On previous occasions, I had to remind …
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