Response #4

The last part that I thought was significant (or more significant than the other chapters) was the SARS chapter.

This chapter spoke to me because it was something I could relate to - or at least remember - and gave a sense of reality to me as I read it. It was also another instance that reminded us that the doctors were human, which was of course apparent throughout the book but it seemed most obvious for me here when both Dr. Chen and Dr. Fitzgerald became sick with SARS.

It was also in this chapter that we are brought back to the beginning of the book. We are reminded of Fitz and Ming's relationship and shocked as a reader when Chen and Fitz talk to each other regularly from their hospital beds. Fitz is still resentful for his loss of Ming but he puts that aside for some good company and learns a lot about Chen in the process.

Also in this chapter, Fitz' alcoholism is addressed - another reminder that he is perfectly human. Not only is Fitz affected by SARS but he possesses a simple human weakness/addiction that can be apart of anyone's life. Chen also draws attention to the reader the fact that this book is all based on perspective and each chapter has it's own bias relating to the narrator. When I read chapters narrated by Fitz he spoke about his alcoholism being under control and how he rarely drank and when he did it was in moderation. Over the course of his chapters, I as the reader, noticed that it was a more frequent occurance and began to happen on the job - but never once did I really think of it as an issue until this chapter. Chen also says:
"...the night when Fitz arrived for a shift with the sweet smell on his breath, his speech
slurred, and was asked to leave and stop seeing patients, it didn't make a difference
whether people knew he was withdrawing" (p.288)
It is only one line in the book, but it is enough to show us that Fitz' problem is a lot worse than he seems to think it is.

Also within this chapter (as I mentioned above) we see Chen and Fitz truly bond which reflects a lot on Chen's personality which was pretty skewed due to Fitz' hatred for him. They talk like old friends as opposed to old enemies, and when Fitz collapses and nearly dies, Chen breaks through the glass wall separating their rooms to save him.
"Fitz said, 'You think we'll die?'
'Maybe.' the laughter continued.
'Me, more likely. I'm on a hundred percent'" (p.296)
This is the kind of conversation that you'd share only with the closest of companions as it demonstrates weakness which is something no-one would want their enemies to witness.