Original Text (cont'd)

They tell us we need to perform shadowing – following a physician around to see what is really involved in medicine. I hope everyone is lucky enough to following a "Dr. Doe" around, at least a little. They may learn, as I did from just knowing him, that there is more to medicine than fancy offices and high technology. Somewhere there has to be compassion and caring not just for your patients, but their family also.

During her last month when she could be home and not in the hospital, he would come by our house every morning just to see how she was doing and to see if he could do anything for my stepfather, my sister, or me. He did not have to, he just wanted to. When he told us there was no hope that she could not see or hear or eat or speak, I knew that he had done everything he could. I also knew we had done everything we could for her. But it was not enough.

Revised Text (cont'd)

The family cared for my mother at home during her last weeks. She was too frail to go to the hospital. But that did not stop Dr. Doe from visiting. He came by our house every morning to see my mother. He knew there was no hope.

Still, he wanted to do what he could for the family.

When he told us there was no chance for recovery, I knew that Dr. Doe had done everything he could for my mom. What's more, I knew my family had done everything we could as well.

I was only 17 when my mother passed. Naturally, I was too shattered to thank Dr. Doe for all he did.

Tragically, he died one month after my mother.

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