QuoteProject
Those weeks before diagnosis can be among the most torturous times. There is a reason you're called a patient once the plastic bracelet goes on.
David Rakoff
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The time leading up to a medical diagnosis can be excruciatingly stressful, highlighting the vulnerability of patients.

This quote by David Rakoff emphasizes the emotional turmoil and anxiety that often accompany the period before receiving a medical diagnosis. The reference to being called a 'patient' upon wearing a hospital bracelet signifies a transition into a state of uncertainty and the burden of waiting, which can feel torturous as one grapples with fear and anticipation regarding their health.

Themes

DiagnosisPatientHealthStressWaitingAnxiety

In practice

Example use cases

During a health seminar, this quote can be used to discuss the emotional impact of waiting for medical results.

More from David Rakoff

Fantastic days are what you wish upon those who have so few sunrises left, those whose lungs are so lesion-spangled with new cancer that they should be embracing as much life as they can. Time's a-wasting, go out and have yourself a fantastic day! Fantastic days are for goners.
David RakoffRead
Before I sat down and became a writer, before I began to do it habitually and for my living, there was a decades-long stretch when I was terrified that it would suck, so I didn't write. I think that marks a lot of people, a real terror at being bad at something, and unfortunately, you are always bad before you can get a little better.
David RakoffRead
Being a stranger was like being dead, and brought to mind how, in a book he had read that most folks misunderstood one common state: The flip side of love is indifference, not hate.
David RakoffRead

Similar quotes

The natural force within each of us is that greatest healer of all.
HippocratesRead
Mental health can improve overall well-being and prevent other illnesses. And since mental health problems have a serious economic impact on vulnerable communities, making them a priority can save lives and markedly improve people's quality of life.
Vikram PatelRead
Imagine a world in which medicine was oriented toward healing rather than disease, where doctors believed in the natural healing capacity of human beings and emphasized prevention above treatment. In such a world, doctors and patients would be partners working toward the same ends.
Andrew WeilRead
The medical literature tells us that the most effective ways to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and many more problems are through healthy diet and exercise. Our bodies have evolved to move, yet we now use the energy in oil instead of muscles to do our work.
David SuzukiRead
Eating a vegetarian diet, walking (exercising) everyday, and meditating is considered radical. Allowing someone to slice your chest open and graft your leg veins in your heart is considered normal and conservative.
Dean OrnishRead
Having an eating disorder doesn't show ‘strength.’ Strength is when are able to overcome your demons after being sick and tired for so long. Starving is not a ‘diet’ and throwing up isn't something that only extremely thin men or women do. Eating disorders do not discriminate..Neither does any other mental illness. These are deadly diseases that are taking lives daily. So please, let's be cautious of the words we use when discussing ED's and other mental illnesses.
Demi LovatoRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.