Chapter 11: A Satisfying Career and Children who are Physicians

Chapter 11: A Satisfying Career and Children who are Physicians

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Description

Dr. Jaffe looks back at a very satisfying career at MD Anderson (though he originally wanted to be a surgeon). He explains why his sons and his daughter chose not to go onto oncology. He expresses his deep regret at the patients he lost over the years.

Identifier

JaffeN_02_20120817_C11

Publication Date

8-17-2012

City

Houston, Texas

Topics Covered

The Interview Subject's Story - View of Career and Accomplishments; Career and Accomplishments; Personal Background; The Life and Dedication of Clinicians and Researchers; Patients

Transcript

Norman Jaffe, MD :

I’d like to say that I personally have had a very satisfying career at MD Anderson. Look, it’s not all been roses. I admit that. But there is no place where there is a utopia. There have been problems. There have been difficulties. But in the total analysis, I have been very satisfied with the career that I’ve chosen and to continue to develop at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. I really had a wonderful time over here. I cannot say that I am upset that I came to MD Anderson. I enjoy every day of it. Each day is precious to me now as I advance in my years, and I reflect back on my time at MD Anderson, and while there have been many tragedies, many difficulties, I’ve lost many patients, I’ve also had major success. And to me, my stay at MD Anderson has been a wonderful experience, and really I give thanks to the Almighty for giving me life, strength, and the ability to continue on this work.

Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:

I’ve heard many people who are reflecting on their careers at MD Anderson and feel that they’ve been given a very unusual place to do their work, very unusual opportunities to grow and collaborate. I envy that. I really do. It’s so wonderful.

Norman Jaffe, MD :

It’s been a very, very wonderful experience. If I have any regrets, the only regrets I will have is that I did not convince my children to go into my field. Two became doctors, but they did not become oncologists.

Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:

Do you know why?

Norman Jaffe, MD :

Yes, I’ll give you the example of my son. I approached my son when he was about to make a career choice, and I said, “What about medicine?” He says, “Definitely.” I said, “That’s nice. What type of doctor do you want to be?” He said, “I will become an ophthalmologist.” I said, “Why do you want to do ophthalmology?” “Because,”and he looked me straight in the face and said, “I am not like you. I will not wake up in the middle of the night for a dead child. I will not go to the hospital for that. I want a nine-to-five job. I do not believe that you have done your duty properly to our family, although you’ve been a good father and so on, but I see how you’ve come back at 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning after that, and it’s not fair to you. It is not fair to the family.” And he said, “I’ll take it nine to five.”

Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:

I remember last time we spoke you talked about this particular career being, I think you said, “A hard mistress,” and that’s pretty brutal.

Norman Jaffe, MD :

I understand that, and each one has a different attitude toward life. My daughter developed a similar attitude but didn’t express it to me. She became a head and neck surgeon, although she gets called in the middle of the night now. One child swallows a peanut and so on and so forth, so it’s not so easy. And my other son—well, he said, “I’ll not become a doctor. I’ve seen what happened to you.” He became an attorney. Well, I suppose we need an attorney in the family to keep us straight, so that was the setup, but perhaps I’ll now tackle my grandchildren.

Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:

Is there something as you look back at your time at MD Anderson that you really wish you could have achieved but for some reason were not able to?

Norman Jaffe, MD :

No, I have no regrets. I did want to become a surgeon, but I had to be honest with myself. I didn’t think I was dexterous enough to become a surgeon, and I think this was better because I had better contact with patients, and they were prolonged contacts. The only regret, if I have any regret, is that I lost patients. These eyes have seen too many tears, and I hope that this will not occur for others in the future.

Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:

I hope that in one of our next meetings we’ll be able to talk about your work with psychosocial aspects and with families because it’s so important.

Norman Jaffe, MD :

Let’s see if we can do that. I do have to forewarn you. I have a great program in the next four months. I have to go to London, I have to go to Prague, I have to go to Israel, and I have to, of course, visit my grandchildren to make sure that they’re going into medicine.

Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:

Maybe this would be a good time to stop and maybe we can chat—

Norman Jaffe, MD :

That’s fine, and we can get in touch. Sure.

Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:

Yes, we can.

Norman Jaffe, MD :

Tacey, it was nice to speak with you again, and I hope we’ll meet again.

Tacey Ann Rosolowski, PhD:

And I’m turning off the recorder at twenty-five minutes after— ( End of Audio Session 2)

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Chapter 11: A Satisfying Career and Children who are Physicians

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