Often it is a bittersweet experience, as the person's illness is a challenge to the patient and to the doctor. I've just been through such an experience. My patient, Sam, was a young married lawyer with two daughters. He moved to our mid-sized town in 1990. We met through a shared cultural background, as I was president of our regional Jewish organization at the time.
Lawyers are often the subject of uncomplimentary jokes.
Most lawyers, of course, are fine people. Sam was a credit to his profession and the human race. He was honest, humorous and very community-minded. After two short years in town, he and his wife agreed to become leaders of the Jewish community. They had the burden of two small children and a developing legal practice, yet willingly took on this extra responsibility.