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Nov 30, 2024, 10:09

Roupen Odabashian: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Oncologists Before the Holidays

Roupen Odabashian shared on LinkedIn:

“Wednesday was one of my hardest days as an oncologist.

The pre-holiday period always brings mixed emotions, but this time was different.

While my typical day involves delivering both good and difficult news – telling some patients their cancer is controlled while informing others about disease progression or the need for hospice care – this Wednesday before Thanksgiving hit particularly hard.

I found myself caught in an emotional pendulum, swinging between profound joy and deep sadness as I moved from room to room.

One moment I’m sharing the gift of good news, telling a patient they can truly embrace the holiday season.

The next, I’m gently explaining to another that their cancer is advancing, trying to offer hope through alternative treatments or local therapy options.

Yet in my heart, I know their holidays won’t be the same – they’ll be harder, different, painful.

This emotional rollercoaster – these intense ups and downs – goes far beyond the paperwork and bureaucracy that people typically associate with physician burnout.

Until you’ve looked someone in the eye and told them this might be their last holiday season, you can’t truly understand this weight that physicians carry.

Happy Holidays and Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy it while you can and embrace every second of it because others can’t! ”

Dr. Roupen Odabashian is an accomplished Internal Medicine Physician and Hematology/Oncology Fellow with a profound commitment to advancing healthcare through clinical practice, research, and technology. Currently based at the prestigious Karmanos Cancer Institute, Dr. Odabashian is actively involved in pioneering cancer treatments and conducting clinical research.

In addition to his clinical work he hosts podcast at OncoDaily, engaging with leading experts in oncology to share valuable insights with the medical community. Dr. Odabashian also contributes his expertise as an advisor at Spiraldot Health and Mesh AI, supporting innovative ventures in healthcare technology and collaborative scheduling to combat clinician burnout. With his diverse roles and unwavering dedication, Dr. Odabashian exemplifies a commitment to driving positive change in healthcare.