But her recent account of being diagnosed with breast cancer is one that reaches far beyond politics or geography. Chu wrote of noticing a lump in her breast and, like so many people do, convincing herself it was nothing. You find yourself rehearsing futures, one where everything is fine and one where nothing will ever be the same. For those who work in health care, it’s a reminder that communication is not just about efficiency but about dignity. Even with support by family and friends, illness can still feel like the loneliest place in the world.