Sophia: I want you to know I'm crazy about Chinese people.
Dorothy: Ma.
Sophia: It's a compliment. I am.
Dr. Chang: Thank you, Mrs. Petrillo.
Sophia: Chinese people revere the elderly. In this country we throw away anything that's old. But you people don't. That's a beautiful thing. You also have the most gorgeous hair in the world. Even when it's humid.

Dr. Chang: It's OK, Mrs. Zbornak. I'm finished. You've seen some wonderful doctors, but I really can't agree with their findings. There are new diseases arising all the time - things that we don't necessarily have tests for - but that doesn't mean the diseases don't exist.
Sophia: See how terrific the Chinese are? With the most terrific food. Tasty, but not fattening. I don't care what anyone says. I don't get hungry an hour later.
Dorothy: Ma, let Dr. Chang finish.
Sophia: I love Chinese checkers. It's much better than plain checkers. And chopsticks, what a great idea. Who knows what fork to use at a dinner party? Chopsticks, you don't feel like an idiot.
Dorothy: Ma, enough!

Dr. Chang: All I can say at this point is try to adapt to it. Rest when you need to, eat well, eliminate stress if you can. Right now there is no cure, and no one thing that relieves symptoms in everyone. Right now I'm afraid you'll just have to live with it.
Dorothy: Oh, why didn't they tell me, all those doctors I saw?
Dr. Chang: I'm sure some of them weren't familiar with it. And the ones who have heard about it sometimes have trouble believing it exists, since they're not able to see it under their microscopes just yet. Those colleagues of mine, unfortunately, tend to blame the victim.
Dorothy: I can't tell you what a relief this is.

Rose: That's not what makes a person special, Blanche. You're special because you're a kind, decent, loving individual with a wonderful heart and a beauty that comes from your soul.
Blanche: That's that Minnesota crap again about the meaning of life.
Rose: Well, Blanche, what else is there besides love and kindness?
Blanche: How about fame and fortune?
Rose: Well, that doesn't bring happiness.
Blanche: Like hell it doesn't.
Rose: You know, I'm getting sick of you knocking Minnesota. Maybe we're not as sophisticated as Miami, maybe we don't have French boutiques and valet parking and face-lifts for Christmas vacation, but we have friends and family and a sense of community and caring, and that's pretty special. And our people are special too. And if we have farms, that's great. Without farms, you couldn't eat, and without eating, you wouldn't be able to go on a diet, and if you couldn't do that, what would you do for the rest of your life? [exits, returns] Was I harsh?

Dorothy: I can't tell you what a relief it is to just be sick, not sick and crazy, and to know what I have, and that a lot of other people have the same thing.
Blanche: I don't like the name. I think it ought to have a better name.
Dorothy: That's what Dr. Chang said. Chronic fatigue syndrome makes it sound like I'm just a tired person when it is so much more than that.
Rose: I think they should name it after you. Zbornak syndrome.
Blanche: Zbornak syndrome. That sounds like a chess move. Devereaux's disease has a nice ring to it.

Dorothy: Dr. Budd?
Dr. Budd: Yes.
Dorothy: You probably don't remember me, but you told me I wasn't sick. Do you remember? You told me I was just getting old.
Dr. Budd: I'm sorry. I really don't-
Dorothy: Remember. Maybe you're getting old. That's a little joke. Well, I tell you, Dr. Budd, I really am sick. I have chronic fatigue syndrome. That is a real illness. You can check with the Center for Disease Control.
Dr. Budd: Oh, well, I'm sorry about that.
Dorothy: Well, I'm glad. At least I know I have something.
Dr. Budd: I'm sure. Well, nice seeing you.
Dorothy: Not so fast. There are some things I have to say. There are a lot of things that I have to say. Words can't express what I have to say. What I went through, what you put me through- I can't do this in a restaurant.
Dr. Budd: Good.
Dorothy: But I will.

Blanche: I don't believe it. Another rejection. And this one isn't even personal. It's a form letter.
They just filled in my name at the top, see? Oh, I'm so upset. I put everything into this, Rose, all of me, I held nothing back. Then to have some snot-nosed little kid from Harvard send me a form letter, oh! I'm so mad I could scream. [screams]
Rose: That's the first time I ever heard anybody say "I'm so mad I could scream" and actually do it. It's like saying, "I laughed all the way to the bank." I never saw anybody do that either.

Dr. Chang: Are there any other questions that I could answer for you?
Dorothy: Not now, not that I can think of. Maybe later. Right now I can't even think straight.
Dr. Chang: If there are no more questions, I'll order some blood work-
Sophia: Uh, I have a question.
Dr. Chang: Of course, Mrs. Petrillo.
Sophia: When I order at Fung Chow's and say no MSG, do they really put it in anyway?

Dorothy: So do you think I'm crazy too?
Harry: Dorothy, I think you're very sane. Just because a doctor hasn't found something doesn't mean there isn't something there.
Dorothy: Are you serious? How come you know that and they don't?
Harry: First of all, dear, I know you. You're a stable person. And if you say you're sick, you probably are sick. Now, I want you to see Michael Chang. He's a virologist on staff here at the hospital. You know, there are all kinds of diseases we didn't know about before. Look at Lyme disease.
Dorothy: Harry, am I gonna die?
Harry: I'm afraid so.
Dorothy: Do you really think so?
Harry: Sooner or later, I guarantee it. Unless, of course, the Japanese come up with something. There you go. Here's his name and number. My God, what handwriting doctors have. I can't even read this, and I just wrote it.

Oliver: How old are you?
Dorothy: Uh, too old for you.
Oliver: Has he been your doctor ever since you were little?
Dorothy: He's not my doctor. He's my friend.