THE BEGINNING OF THE END

My routine for the last few days has mainly involved rounding in the ward, saying hello to all the patients in my ward, checking blood pressures, changing dressings, cracking some flimsy jokes and trying to advise everyone regarding diet and general lifestyle. Being in orthopaedic surgery (as a good friend insists on calling) my contribution is very passive.

2 weeks back, we had a patient in our ward who was simultaneously diagnosed with depression. His main complaint more than pain was the lack of attention towards him by the nursing staff. We don’t do 5.5 years of med school to turn a deaf ear on such issues. We aren’t just taught to tackle diseases, we are trained to try and be super heroes. All I had to do was really assure him that he will be well in no time and we will take good care of him. In the sick room, ten cents’ worth human understanding equals ten dollars’ worth of medical science. A week after he was discharged, he came for a follow up visit to the OP. He came straight to me and thanked me for making him alright and wisely said that more than a doctor’s treatment, it’s the assurance that could truly make a difference, in both our lives. Hearing that from a person who is 3 times my age really made my day.

What really got me writing today is a small observation made in the wards today. As usual, I was going about my work. Surgical patients are generally retained in the wards for a longer period than medical patients. The bond patients foster with their treating personnel and co-sufferers is something purely amazing. They defy boundaries of all sorts – economic, religious and personal; and become united in suffering. What I wonder though, is if this is a rural attitude and would be wrong to extrapolate to the urban crowd.  One lady asked me about my background, my family and seemed to be in awe of me and everything I had to say and did. It is a feeling that can never be put to words. They look forward to my visits every day and the feeling is mutual, I am starting to believe. 

I am haughty enough to say that I wouldn’t miss anything about this place. As I walked the orthopaedics wards today, I knew what I would miss –Smiles in the face of adversity; the warmth, love and respect each and every patient and their attendant gave me in the last few days of my life as a junior doctor.