Cross-posted at DKos

My professional life is full of stories.

There are some of remarkable bravery and happiness: Just last Friday I had the opportunity to trade emails with a patient who, finally, in his 60s (!) has managed to overcome drug abuse, alcoholism, crippling self-doubt, hypertension, and diabetes (yes, he managed to get off all medications!) through hard work and determination.  Another, a recently retired Greek American burdened with obesity and its complications, arthritis, diabetes, high cholesterol came in to have me guide his discontinuation of his medicines after his health improved because he returned to a lifestyle "like I used to do in Greece."