Have you ever seen a patient who dies in spite of the best treatment given? Sometimes the medicine that might be missing from the prescription list is ‘Hope.’
Let me explain this to you with a story I read in my school “The Last Leaf .”
There was a girl named Johnsy, who felt sick with pneumonia. Her illness made her lose hope of living; even the doctor said she needs a will to survive. She started comparing her life with the leaves of the ivy vine outside her window and instilled inside her that when the last leaf falls, she will die. And one night there was a huge thunderstorm, making Johnsy believe that the leaf would fall, but surprisingly, when she woke up the next morning, she saw that the last leaf was still there. Seeing that leaf, her hope to live came back as she thought, If a leaf can survive through the bad weather, why can’t she? And soon she recovered from her illness. Though, that leaf was painted by Behrman ‘an artist’ to give Johnsy hope to live, while he died that night painting that last leaf.
I believe that patients with chronic illnesses require both hope and treatment to recover. As a result, we should treat patients as whole humans, listen to their concerns, and offer them hope to help them recover.
Share in comments: If you have ever seen chronic illness survivors, who have this magical ingredient called ‘hope’ inside them.
The last leaf is a beautiful story. I completely agree with you, positivity works like mahic, especially in cancer patients. My grandmum’s cancer has recurred three times and yet she’s as positive as ever. She cooks, goes out in the garden for walks, attends almost every function and I think this positivity in her has led her to survive these three episodes of recurrence.
That’s such a thoughtful reflection. “The Last Leaf” beautifully illustrates how hope can be as vital as medicine in healing. Patients often need more than prescriptions. They need encouragement, empathy, and belief in recovery.
This is a beautiful post! Thanks for sharing. I have seen and heard that positivity and hope can bring a person back from many chronic conditions. I agree with you that we should treat patients as a whole and not just see them as a diagnosis if we really want to make a difference in their lives!
Completely agreed,as the persons mind set I.e the optimism plays yet another imp role for their health to get back on track.If the positivity isn’t seen in the patients then they won’t have the reason to be back in their original form if they don’t try from their side first.
Very well said ! In every aspect of life HOPE play major role to get things done in right way. Specially medical conditions which has limited treatment option and serious complications. Individual’s mindset,approach towards life and hope of surviving that situation is important for better outcome.
Wonderful take. Mindset really is everything. It’s so powerful that it can make us feel limitless and help us grow beyond our own expectations. Even a small amount of hope can make the body fight stronger and make us capable of anything we set our minds to.
.”