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He knows the news is bad, but it is his job to tell the truth.
The Doctor slowly paces down the hallway, trying to hide the grim expression he feels
creeping up on his face.
He pauses at the door. The ensuing conversation will change the Patient's life forever.
Taking one final deep breath the Doctor passes through the doorway and enters the room.
He looks down and sees the Patient gazing up at him from the hospital bed. He wants
to choose his words carefully, because whether or not the Patient takes his advice, is a
matter of life and death.
The Doctor must have been contemplating the weight of this conversation for too long because
the Patient finally says, "So what is it, Doc?"
"It's... it's Cancer." Says the Doctor.
The Patient scoffs, "That is the most offensive thing I have ever heard! Its like you are
trying to tell me I have a problem or something."
The Doctor replies, "Well, yea... I hate to tell you this, but if you leave it untreated,
you are going to die."
Snapping back in anger, the Patient says, "I don't believe you... you are just trying
to get me to believe what you believe so that I will come into your hospital and give you
money."
Feeling sorry for the Patient, the Doctor lovingly replies, "I really want to help you
beat this, but just hear me out, the cure is quite simple, if only you would--"
Not having any of it the Patient interjects, "You know what? You just ruined my day, trying
to tell me that I need to change, as if I have something wrong with me."
"Yea, thats my least favorite part of this job." Says the Doctor, "But I am thinking
more about where you are going to be in the long term and less about how you are feeling
towards me right now. I just wanna let you know what you can do to be free from this
disease."
The Patient now angrily lashes out at the Doctor, "First you tell me that I am going
to die and now you're trying to tell me how to live my life. That offends me. I don't
wana hear any more of what you have to say. All you Doctors are the same. Quit trying
to shove your medicine down my throat."
The Doctor walks out of the room feeling heartbroken for the Patient.
As he paces back down the hallway he ponders to himself, "I was just trying to help...
I was telling the truth... I wonder why people get so mad at Doctors, but when Christians
tell them they are going to die, they don't get mad at all..."
"... oh wait... maybe it is the other way around."