Thread by @readiatrician

I said goodbye to a patient a few years ago. She didn’t die, she just got old. I treat patients to age 21 and they move on. When they do, I joke, “well, I did my job! I kept you alive until adulthood!”

With this kid, it was not a joke. 1/

I met her as a preteen. She had a tough situation. Chronic illness since birth, multiple surgeries, depression and anxiety. In high school, there was a brief period of disordered eating. She attempted to take her own life twice. She hated doctors and would hide from me. 2/

We booked her at the end of the day so I could take my time. Once I took her history through a closed door until she cracked it open. Another, I sat with her on the floor under the exam table. Once, she had a book with her. I'll Give You the Sun, by Jandy Nelson. I'd read it 3/

"Oh," I sighed, "that book made me feel things."
She glared at me to see if I was faking it. Kids can always tell when adults are lying, especially to build fake rapport. So I asked, "Do you relate more to Jude or Noah?" She eyed me again and said, "Jude. No one gets her." 4/

I told her, "I want to get you. I'm really trying."

She waited a long time and then she mumbled "I know" before she walked out of the office.

And I thought I'd lost her 5/

But at her next visit, she didn't hide. She asked me if I read Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda. I hadn't but I told her I would take it out from the library that day. We started to talk books at every visit. She opened up. She started seeing a therapist. She thrived. 5/

So why am I telling this whole story now?

Last weekend, I stopped into B&N and there she was, working at the checkout! We hadn't seen each other in years. She looked great. Healthy. Happy. She's dating, taking classes at night, wants to teach. She made it. 6/

“Well,” I said, “it was so good to see you!”

There was no one in line. She leaned in, her eyes shining, “I got into verse novels. Have you read Me(Moth) by @ambsmcbride?”

“Yes! Fantastic! Red, White and Whole by @rajanilarocca?” She nods. “Starfish by @AuthorLisaFipps?” 7/

“Starfish? Are you kidding me?” She takes a step back, slides her feet apart and stretches her arms high and wide. “Look at me! I’m alive!”

“Look at you,” I marvel, softly. “Alive.”

I lean across the counter to give her a hug. 8/

A line is forming and the person in front clears her throat. I glance behind me. “Ok,” I whisper. “Be well.”

I hear her welcome the next customer. “I'm sorry for your wait. That was a good friend who helped me through a hard time. Oh wow, wonderful title! Have you read..." 9/

I share this w/her permission. I didn't do this alone and want to thank the authors that helped me keep this patient alive.
@Lin_Manuel & @jonnysun G’morning G’night
@erinentrada Hello, Universe
@jandynelson I’ll Give You the Sun
@beckyalbertalli Simon
@halseanderson Speak 10/

@AS_King, Dig (the end of the author note, she told me “I am so in her energy”
@ValEmmich, #StevenLevenson, @benjpasek, @heyitsjustin Dear Evan Hansen
@goraina Guts
@DGephartWrites Lily and Dunkin
@angiecthomas THUG
@choitotheworld Emergency Contact 11/

@StudioJJK Hey, Kiddo
@acevedowrites The Poet X
@stacymcanulty The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
@dsantat After the Fall (because picture books are for everyone)

Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Books are incredible and people who write for kids are the absolute best

Friends, I have to mute this thread. Forgive me if I don’t not see your reply- the response has been so positive. It has just been so much!

Thank you for spreading the power of books and celebrating the people who make them. ❤️