Facets of a Diamond - Blog

It was the example of Dr. Leadley, my invalid grandmother’s general practioner, that determined me to be a doctor, to be like him.

She was a cardiac cripple living in a constant state of borderline heart failure. What could he do in terms of modern medicine? Merely adjust her digitalis dosage. But in terms of Medicine – he transformed her.

After every visit she would be smiling, brightfaced, alive. Filled with hope, and enthusiasm for life. She’d look years younger. So much healthier. Often she’d then leave her sick bed and work for all of us, and eat with us, not as usual in bed in her little room.

Now she was filled with gratitude for life, and acceptance of her illness and its inevitable outcome.

This is what Dr. Leadley accomplished every visit. And this to me was Medicine. This is what I, when about eight, wanted to do – and, I hope, am now doing.

I’d like to think that his therapeutic effect on my beloved grandmother half a century ago lives on today through me.

(1997)