Monica Wright
The Movie “Wit”
The movie wit is about a woman, Vivian Bearing Ph.D., Professor of 17th century literature and her in hospital experience as she was diagnosed and treated for cancer. The first scene begins in Dr. Kelekean’s office as he tells her that she has stage four metastatic ovarian cancer. Dr. Kelekian’s description of Vivian’s diagnosis was very thorough, strictly medical and without empathy. Vivian’s inattentiveness to the diagnosis led Dr. Kelekian to question whether she was an academic; however Vivian stated her credentials, and complemented the Dr’s thoroughness in his explanation. Vivian did not ask any questions about her diagnosis or even its prognosis. She was not given any time to absorb what was being said or given any treatment options. Vivian was entered into a research study of a full dose chemotherapy protocol with terrible side effects. Dr. Kelekean’s desire for research and to gain new knowledge covered his ability to see Vivian need for compassion.
As Vivian was transported throughout the hospital for different kinds of tests and procedures she encounters the same impersonal staff, asking the same impersonal questions, and who all seemed frustrated at having to do their jobs.
Vivian’s first encounter with Dr. Posner, the clinical oncology fellow under Dr. Kelekean and former student of hers was awkward. Posner was impersonal and unsympathetic. His health history questions were rushed and it seemed like he wasn’t even truly interested in genuine answers. Posner, ready for performing a gynecological examination and frustrated at having to follow what he calls “meaningless protocols” he leaves Vivian in stirrups to find the nurse. This left Vivian feeling humiliated and absolutely degraded. Vivian however finds solace in reflection on her 17th century poetry.
Another experience with showed Dr. Posner complete lack empathy and human compassion was on grand rounds. Posner started with the usual question of “How are you feeling today” then barely waiting for a response began to speak about her cancer and her treatment in cold facts; he then lifted up her gown without explaining first what he was about to do or without properly covering her and then impersonally started pressing on her abdomen in a cold, inhumane manner. In spite of Posner’s poor bedside manner and lack of empathy however, Vivian along with Dr. Kelekian felt some pride on Posner’s academic ability. Posner also seem to have great a respect and admiration for the disease of cancer more than he had for the patient.
Nurse Susie Monahan, Vivian’s primary nurse showed genuine kindness and compassion for her patient. She recognized Vivian’s uncomfortable state when she was left in stirrups and immediately addressed it with the doctor. She also recognized the deterioration in Vivian’s quality of life with the high dose chemotherapy protocol and asked the doctors to decrease the dose for the patient’s wellbeing. Nurse Monahan had the qualities of a professional, a true patients advocate. She took the time to sit and talk with Vivian at the lowest times in her hospital experience. She recognized that her patient was not getting better but in fact had deteriorated drastically and was suffering both physically and mentally. She took the time to address quality of life, DNR/DNI and comfort measures with Vivian. She held her hand and provided the emotional and physical support she needed in coming to terms with her terminal illness. .
Throughout the movie Vivian reflected back on her life experiences; from the first experience as a little girl reading the book “The Runaway Bunny”, when she first developed a love for words, to her college Professor Ashford, who tried to impress upon her the true meaning behind John Donne’s Holy Sonnets, to her relationship with her students or I should say her lack of relationship with them. Academia, being a scholar was paramount to her. Her intellectual strength she believed could overcome any obstacles in life, but now illness, facing death she has come to realize as she quoted “ life is meant to be lived in the context of other lives”, not books.
