Surgical Week...An encounter I wont forget

I know I haven't been posting up anything lately...thats bcoz life's been really busy at Seremban

I never thought that I would have so little time in a day....so little that I even could not find time to shop for groceries at the beggining of the week. But well...I made it through alive a hectic week.

Although yea..it was pretty stressful and tiring coz we're expected to be on our toes with all our cases and medical knowledge when presenting to the doctor...I learnt a lot this week. Things that can never be found in books or quantified in any form of value.

Its so easy as medical students to want to get the best cases or the best patients to clerk and examine and learn from. To fight for opportunities in wards or wherever to do certain procedures under a doctor's supervision. To elicit positive signs on interesting patients. And I have to admit I was one of them. Time and time again during ward teachings, we were reminded to look beyond a disease or a clinical sign. But to look into people's hearts, emotions and reactions towards the disease and put ourselves in their shoes. Empathy....

But I encountered a lady...who had cancer, but she doesn't know it. I had to clerk her coz I was assigned that particular bed and I did. I got frustrated at the beggining coz I wasnt able to get a good history from her and she kept changing the topic. She got discharged soon enough and I thought...oh well, guess she's gone and I dont have to bother about her case anymore. After all the history I took from her wasnt complete.

The following week, she was admitted again. And I didnt want to clerk her again coz I know I failed to do a good job previously. But out of boredom at the wards, I chatted with her a bit and found out she was discharged just to do a scan outside. I asked my friend to clerk her and see if he could get a better history...and at that time she was more open to talking to us than before. Of course, she still changed the subject a lot.

As the week went on, we chatted with her until finally one day, I overheard that the surgeon was going to tell her that it was confirmed that she had cancer. I dont know if she was told to have cancer literally, but she knew there was a growth in her. And when we approached her after that, she shared with me her sadness and confusion.

I'd never thought that I would have such an encounter so fast, since I just started surgical. But yea...it taught me to be more humane and compassionate. I realised I was so caught up academically, I forgot why I wanted to be a doctor in the first place. It was an early wake up call I guess. So I took the opportunity to pray for her with my friend as she was a Christian. She was so thankful to us...but I think I was more thankful for her appearing in my life making me realise how selfish I've been.

I hope and pray the very best for her health and her family as they go through this bumpy road. But I believe no matter what God will bring her through. That I know for sure.