An elderly patient came to the ED after slipping on the ice. I knew her ankle was broken since the lower extremity was swollen and deformed.
Nonetheless, she smiled, her energy was appreciative, and she thanked me each time I circled back and updated her. At discharge, I handed her the paperwork, smiled and said, “cool shoes.” Months later, I noticed a package in my hospital mail slot: she sent a similar pair of shoes with a thank-you note.
As an emergency medicine and lifestyle medicine doctor, I practice and speak about the health benefits of gratitude, or being thankful and appreciative,