Doctors with cancer

Over the years, there have been a number of stories published online about doctors who have undergone treatment for cancer.

NPR did a segment a number of years ago titled, "When Physicians Get Cancer."

In 2012, there was a story about Dr. Kate Granger, a 29-yr old doctor in the UK who writes how she became a better doctor as she battled metastatic ovarian cancer.

Sometimes, cancer treatment may leave the physician physically disabled. There are many ways to build a supportive community to help you battle cancer. Some people share their stories on social media sites like Facebook and reserve their private posts only for close friends and family. Others may use a website like Caring Bridge to share their stories with a select group of individuals.

Some will also leverage online patient communities like PatientsLikeMe to meet other individuals who have similar conditions and to learn from their experiences.

If you have cancer, you're not alone. Find others who are willing to support you through your journey. If you develop a disability, meet others who can help you navigate the path of working with a disability.

Physician fighting a brain tumor

A friend of mine is a physician and is fighting a brain tumor. Fortunately, the tumor is not malignant. However, the original MRI shows that the tumor is large. I've been keeping this person in my prayers and the situation has caused me to think about the issue of brain tumors. Given how quickly this person is recovering, I'm sure this great doctor will soon return to clinical medicine.

What's amazing is that our bodies are able to adapt to significant medical challenges. I know another doctor who is undergoing a significant joint replacement operation. Another physician is struggling with significant depression. Meanwhile, other physicians may struggle with a variety of health conditions and may not realize that there are resources that can help them as they're going through these situations.