During my night shift at the emergency department, I encountered a 72-year-old decorated war veteran named Mr. Sun. Accompanied by his concerned wife, he came to address a year-long struggle with fatigue and a non-productive cough he’d been experiencing in recent weeks. Initially resistant to seeking medical attention, Mr. Sun finally gave in to his wife’s insistence.

As I entered the room to assess Mr. Sun, it was immediately apparent how unwell he looked. His 20-pound weight loss over the past year suggested an undiagnosed illness – my instincts pointing to cancer. During my examination, I couldn’t hear any lung sounds on his left side – an alarming discovery. When questioned about any lung disease or cancer history, Mr. Sun and his wife mentioned his long-standing history of COPD, which had been largely unmanaged. He had just quit smoking last Christmas after several decades of heavy smoking. In fact, Mr. Sun didn’t have a primary care doctor, expressing a lack of faith in the medical profession.

I ordered a chest X-ray to better understand the situation, and what we found was unsettling. A massive growth extending through half of Mr. Sun’s left lung appeared on the image, with the radiologist suggesting a possible malignancy aside from his known COPD. This warranted immediate attention from a pulmonologist.

Bringing the x-ray image to Mr. Sun and his wife, I could see the shock and fear in their eyes. When Mr. Sun asked if it could be cancer, I told him we couldn’t confirm it without a biopsy but acknowledged the symptoms and x-ray findings in that direction. He wondered if chemotherapy could potentially cure him – but, at that point, it was too early to tell. I assured Mr. Sun that we’d admit him to the hospital and that a pulmonologist would see him that day.

It’s never easy delivering such grave news to patients. Cancer is a ruthless disease that doesn’t discriminate – it affects people from all walks of life. The emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis can be profound as a doctor, but supporting our patients and being there for their journey is essential.

Later that day, I sat down with Mr. Sun as my shift was about to end. I wanted him to know that I was present and invested in his well-being. He opened up about his military service – his time as a war pilot before an honorable discharge. It struck me that this man had bravely faced numerous battles in his life, and now he was staring down another formidable enemy in the form of cancer.

A cancer diagnosis can be a harrowing experience for patients and their families. However, just like Mr. Sun’s wife pushing him to visit the emergency department, love and support can be invaluable assets. As doctors and health care providers, we share that responsibility to advocate for our patients, ensuring they have every resource and opportunity available in their fight.

Time will tell what the future holds for Mr. Sun and his family. One thing remains certain – his prior battle experience has molded him into the strong, resilient person he is today. In the face of adversity, our role as medical professionals is to be by their side, accompanying them during their brave journey, and tirelessly working towards conquering this vicious disease while addressing his underlying COPD. The experiences shared with patients like Mr. Sun enrich us as health care providers and serve as a reminder of the genuine human connection at the heart of medicine.

Ton La, Jr. is a physician and can be reached on LinkedIn.