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Unexpected Letter From ER Doctor May Make You Tear Up (PHOTO)

Letter From Er Doctor

The Huffington Post     First Posted: 02/09/13 EST Updated: 02/11/13 EST

True love and compassion aren't easy to ignore.

This week, a 24-year-old Redditor shared a letter received just after the death of his mother. The event, despite being difficult, brought an unexpected source of condolence -- a personal note from a physician who had never contacted a patient's family before.

"The letter was written for my father," he told The Huffington Post on Friday. "He stayed by her side until the very end."

Story continues after photo

The letter reads:

Dear Mr. (removed),

I am the Emergency Medicine physician who treated your wife Mrs (removed) last Sunday in the Emergency Department at (hospital). I learned only yesterday about her passing away and wanted to write to you to express my sadness. In my twenty years as a doctor in the Emergency Room, I have never written to a patient or a family member, as our encounters are typically hurried and do not always allow for more personal interaction.

However, in your case, I felt a special connection to your wife (removed), who was so engaging and cheerful in spite of her illness and trouble breathing. I was also touched by the fact that you seemed to be a very loving couple. You were highly supportive of her, asking the right questions with calm, care and concern. From my experience as a physician, I find that the love and support of a spouse or a family member is the most soothing gift, bringing peace and serenity to those critically ill.

I am sorry for your loss and I hope you can find comfort in the memory of your wife's great spirit and of your loving bond. My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family.

(removed), MD

According to the Redditor, his mother had breast cancer. A month ago, breathing difficulties landed her in the hospital, and 16 hours later, she passed away.

Surprisingly, the doctor who wrote the letter had never met or treated his mother until that day.

"If my mother were alive to see this, she would want readers to reflect on the power of showing compassion towards a total stranger," he told HuffPost.

"The support I got from Reddit was amazing -- doctors, nurses and other Redditors who have lost their mothers to cancer were all shocked and amazed that the doctor took the time to write such a heartfelt, meaningful letter," he added.

 
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09:16 AM on 02/12/2013
That was very touching. And rare...... I have worked for doctors through the years, and have never experienced such compassion to any single patient. I am talking my 25 years in the medical field. ' nice I would just like to say, regarding my experience, this doctor is very "special" and I personally would like to thank heim for his kindness. It i
gains nice to know there are men and woman who have chosen the medical field for something more than monetary
12:04 AM on 02/12/2013
My Mom passed away this summer from breast cancer and I was really surprised when her primary care doc that she had only had for 3months had called the day before my Mom passed to ask if she could make a house call to see my mom! and then when my Mom passed she called and also the oncologist called to say they were sorry. Maybe we are moving into a time when Doctors are more aware of the feelings of those left behind.
05:39 PM on 02/11/2013
When my dad passed away a year ago, his own doctor personally called my mom and gave his condolences. He had only been his doctor for a year, but he took the time out of his busy day to do that. It meant a lot to my family that he did. There are a few doctors, far and between, that have the compassion to do such these things for families. We were one of the lucky ones to find one of them.
05:07 PM on 02/11/2013
Awesome! Just a few minutes out of the doctor's day to make such a huge impact on the family. Way to go, Doc :)
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Tobi LS
I'm a nerd who works in a law firm.
03:06 PM on 02/11/2013
Touching.