Trail-Running Physician Advises Terminal Patient to 'Rub Some Dirt on It'
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A local doctor offered a dying patient some unusual advice Sunday, Dumb Runner has learned, suggesting to the octogenarian that she “rub some dirt on it.”
Johnny Castle, M.D., of Kellerman Memorial Hospital, offered the advice to Penny Johnson, 82, at Johnson’s bedside. Johnson had just learned that she has four to six weeks to live, due to an unspecified, long-term illness.
Asked whether there wasn’t anything to do, Dr. Castle told Johnson, “Rub some dirt on it, and move on.”
Friends and colleagues described Dr. Castle as an avid trail runner and said he often uses the phrase, meant to encourage stoicism or toughness, when a fellow runner suffers a minor injury. His exchange with Johnson is believed to be the first time he’s ever offered a patient that advice.
Johnson, who reportedly questioned the wisdom of such a course of action, could not be reached for comment.
