Gemotions

The news hit him like a physical blow. The doctor’s face swam into focus, but his voice was a distant hum. He felt his pulse quicken, his heart hammering against his ribs. The details of the other patient’s history – the debilitating chronic illness, the string of failed treatments, the impending surgery – felt like a curse.

He suddenly pictured himself, for the briefest of moments, in the other patient’s shoes. He felt a pang of intense pity, a surge of empathy for a person he'd never met. But mingled with the empathy was a deep, unsettling sense of unease. He wanted to rewind time, to erase this moment.

He gripped the armrests of his chair, struggling to maintain his composure. His throat tightened, and he fought back the urge to cry.