Living on the edge.

This essay describes a remarkable patient with severe medical and psychological problems who died a tragic death when she was only 46 years old. despite suffering early coronary artery disease,persistent abuse from her spouse,and caring for a daughter with severe physical handicaps,the patient did not complain or seek pity for her condition. rather,through her belief in god and a focus on the day forward rather than the day behind,she reminds clinicians that the sum of a person's life is more than their medical problems. after the patient's death,her husband's medical problems force him to seek care; this raised ethical issues because the doctor who was treating him also cared for his wife.