The Long Tale Of Tears And Smiles explores an immigrant oncologistâs journey of triumphs and struggles, from growing up in Syria, to the tragic death of her brother, to her experiences as a young immigrant medical student and trainee in the USA. Walk through her anguish witnessing the civil war in Syria and its devastation; see her become a practitioner, watching the field of oncology evolves throughout the years.
This narrative-driven case study interweaves the stories of the patients Bitar has cared for with her own life stories; it reflects on how her patientsâ lives and the stories of their survival or death inspired and changed her life starting and raising a family. Each patientâs approach to illness and end-of-life is as unique as they are, and each personâs journey contains unexpected lessons.
In the space between life and death, Bitarâs profession thrives; and in that space, she can search for the meaning of her existence.