MY COMMITTEE

In the autumn of 2022, I had surgery at a mammoth teaching hospital in Boston. Dr. Helena Santos-Martins quarterbacked the entire process, pre-testing, the surgical referral, even arranging the necessary appointments. During my long hospital stay, she maintained the lines of communication directly with me so that I always felt supported. Shortly after the surgery, when discussing the upcoming pathology reports, one of the surgical fellows said, "If cancer is found, we have a committee. It is the Tumor Committee. We meet on Wednesdays, decide what will be done and then we tell you." More than a little annoyed by the obvious marginalization by her, I said, "I also have a committee. My committee is that young man sitting right there, my son, and me. We have already met and made our decision should the situation arise. During my next wellness visit with Dr. Santos-Martins, I recounted that story. She listened patiently, smiled, and then, in her quiet and reassuring voice responded, "I am also on your committee." In every possible way, she has cultivated a special over and above sort of relationship with the patients in her practice. And so, we are, indeed, a committee!