Let me share with you a recent experience that gave me perspective, and a whole lot to be thankful for. Also, made me realize, yet again, what we mere mortals are capable of.
I'd been sick, under the weather, for the past few days. My throat's condition got so bad that one morning I got up and straight from bed headed to the hospital. Now my dad, being the
amazing father that he is, called up the best 'ENT' (Ear-Nose-Throat) Doctor that he knew of in the nearby hospital. The Doc asked us to come at the earliest, as he had a surgery planned that very same morning. We rushed, and reached well before time... and waited. And waited. And waited some more.
Now, having already paid for the service, and having waited more than an hour in the waiting area, my dad called up the doctor. Since he didn't pick up the call, we presumed he must be on his way.
A couple of minutes later, I saw a man, about 60-65 yrs of age, walking into the waiting area. He was in his pyjamas, wearing chappals for footwear and had a plain tucked-out shirt on. His head was down, his back was slouched and his face hung as if he was suffering from a serious ailment. It didn't look like he knew where he was headed, but strangely had a few people around guiding him. I instantly presumed that he must be a patient of some major disease, possibly here for his routine check-up.
Then, suddenly, my father got up from his chair.
I figured that he had lost patience and was going to the counter to complain and inquire about the Doctor's status. But instead, with a puzzled expression, he informed me that the man who just walked in is the Doctor who we were here to see! It took me a few seconds to understand what my father just said, and it was shocking to see the Doctor in that condition.
We followed the Doctor into his chamber. He was barely able to walk, unable to stand up straight and needed his helper by his side for everything, almost as if a live walking stick. We greeted him, and surprisingly he acknowledged and began his examination.
Strangely enough, he wasn't able to speak too well, wasn't able to walk/sit/stand too well and of course he wasn't able to write, but his mind was alert and his Doctor's practice was not rusty. I mean, even in this state of his, he was able to ascertain the cause of my ailment, have a conversation with me about my condition and also prescribe me the required medicines with the dosage necessary.
Needless to say, this experience was very moving for me. My father and I felt very sympathetic towards him, so didn't just walk away but encouraged him to complete his diagnosis and prescription, no matter how illegible his writing was, or how difficult to understand his speech was! We learnt from him that he was suffering from a neurological condition, and was a lot better now. His faith in his recovery was commendable. We then thanked him and left his chamber.
Walking out from his chamber, I had a vision of the Doctor from four years ago when he was hail and hearty, cracking jokes and oozing of energy. I took one last glance at his less-able state, and shut the door behind me.
Two things are apparent from this experience:
I'd been sick, under the weather, for the past few days. My throat's condition got so bad that one morning I got up and straight from bed headed to the hospital. Now my dad, being the
amazing father that he is, called up the best 'ENT' (Ear-Nose-Throat) Doctor that he knew of in the nearby hospital. The Doc asked us to come at the earliest, as he had a surgery planned that very same morning. We rushed, and reached well before time... and waited. And waited. And waited some more.
Now, having already paid for the service, and having waited more than an hour in the waiting area, my dad called up the doctor. Since he didn't pick up the call, we presumed he must be on his way.
Then, suddenly, my father got up from his chair.
I figured that he had lost patience and was going to the counter to complain and inquire about the Doctor's status. But instead, with a puzzled expression, he informed me that the man who just walked in is the Doctor who we were here to see! It took me a few seconds to understand what my father just said, and it was shocking to see the Doctor in that condition.
We followed the Doctor into his chamber. He was barely able to walk, unable to stand up straight and needed his helper by his side for everything, almost as if a live walking stick. We greeted him, and surprisingly he acknowledged and began his examination.
Strangely enough, he wasn't able to speak too well, wasn't able to walk/sit/stand too well and of course he wasn't able to write, but his mind was alert and his Doctor's practice was not rusty. I mean, even in this state of his, he was able to ascertain the cause of my ailment, have a conversation with me about my condition and also prescribe me the required medicines with the dosage necessary.
Needless to say, this experience was very moving for me. My father and I felt very sympathetic towards him, so didn't just walk away but encouraged him to complete his diagnosis and prescription, no matter how illegible his writing was, or how difficult to understand his speech was! We learnt from him that he was suffering from a neurological condition, and was a lot better now. His faith in his recovery was commendable. We then thanked him and left his chamber.
Walking out from his chamber, I had a vision of the Doctor from four years ago when he was hail and hearty, cracking jokes and oozing of energy. I took one last glance at his less-able state, and shut the door behind me.
Two things are apparent from this experience:
- It is not over till YOU say it is over: The only reason that the Doc was still walking around, doing his thing, was that he made a choice. He chose action over lethargy. He chose health over disease. He chose to take back the control he was losing on his life. It is over when he says it is over.
- No one can dictate what you can or cannot do: His family, the hospital staff and most patients were opposing his decision to see patients. But he knew what he must do to stay sane. He knew he had years and years of practice behind him which would rust and eventually he would lose touch with his mind. Again, he made the decision, and stuck to it. He lied to us about a "surgery" that he was there to conduct, as we later discovered that he had come for his own physiotherapy!
Here it is friends. My little experience and its lesson in courage. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him soon, back to the way that he was before. And going by the courage we saw that day, I am sure he will bounce back sooner than you'd think.
What you seek is within you. Why search outside. Look within.
What do you think? Do you have any learnings of your own from this? Is the Doctor right in seeing patients in this state? Do you have any of your own experiences like this one? Please share below...
What do you think? Do you have any learnings of your own from this? Is the Doctor right in seeing patients in this state? Do you have any of your own experiences like this one? Please share below...
