Humanism in Medicine: Lupus, Dermatomyositis, and Polymyositis

Welcome to one of my Humanism in Medicine posts.  I'll keep it short, but I'll try to run this as a series of posts, since we can never neglect the human, psychological, emotional aspect of medicine in our patients and our colleagues.


I had seen a series of patients with rheumatological diseases in a rheumatology clinic and I felt angry.  I felt angry because of the things lupus and autoimmune diseases do to patients.  I felt angry that they had their livelihood stolen from them, their ability to have children due to the cytotoxic drugs required to help them with their disease, their ability to live how they used to.


As you know, steroids are are a part of treatment for rheumatologic diseases like lupus, and a side-effect is osteonecrosis, commonly in the head of the femur, where the bone dies and the patient requires a hip replacement.  Now think of an older patient with that condition, who already has enough trouble and co-morbidities, and what you have is a patient who you just wish you could fix everything for but there isn't a cure for.


I very rarely feel anger or negative feelings in my life, and I just felt so angry at autoimmune disease, for being such a thief to these wonderful people.  While the patients have the most inspiring stories about their struggles and adaptations, I hope we can help turn their stories to one of ultimate victory over autoimmune disease.


Remember that your patients all have children to raise, are children of parents with very diseases like this, are struggling with work or school or even just with life, or have a sibling they would sacrifice so much for just to see them happy and healthy.


Our patients have a daily struggle, and those around them, if they could only wish for one thing in the world, would be a cure for their loved one, or at least a drastic improvement.


Doctors, medical students, and all professionals taking care of any kind of patient:

Keep your heart open, your eyes and ears finely attuned to your patients, and be a guide for them on their journey through life.  They rely on you and trust you in a world where they are sick, injured, and weak.  Make them comfortable, make them laugh and smile, be warm and human with them. Always.


Thank you for reading, dear friends.