ABSTRACT
The patient is sent for investigation and cancer is diagnosed. Two dreams at this time, one of teeth falling out and the other of a burglar in the dreamer’s flat, seem to indicate an unconscious awareness of disease in the body. The link between psyche and soma is discussed. The manner in which the patient was informed of the diagnosis by a junior doctor was unceremonious and consequently very difficult to process. There is discussion of how such a diagnosis might be communicated by the medical practitioners to take account of the recipient’s state on hearing such news. The dreams are analysed and radiotherapy treatment is started.
