Beyond The Call of Duty- A Doctor’s Story

The Shrill of the phone broke her peaceful night dreams. It was still dark for it to be her 6 am alarm. Her hands reached out for her device . Her mobile phone was equivalently a boon and a curse. She found the damn thing and answered it just to shut it up. She was regretting the Single ladies Ringtone . Why couldn’t she have picked something more soothing. “Hello ” she said as she turned on to her back. Her Voice sounded coarse and her body was covered in sweat. The Humidity in Malaysia wasn’t something to make fun off. But she was used to it. It’s been a year since she packed her bags and headed to Asia. She had her reasons for leaving . She was a long way from home. She missed her her family. Most of all she missed her niece. But she had to get away from America . Far away to clear her mind. So she headed to the Orient on the first plane out. It was also a good excuse to travel to the other side of the world.    

“You get on the next plane out , after the storm clears” said the voice. She was still buzzed from sleep. She was having trouble placing the voice. Then she remembered her conversation the day earlier. There was a huge Storm front gathering outside of Philippines.   They Called it Typhoon Haiyan. According to experts, it was going to be the Strongest Storm ever to hit land. There would be a lot of Injuries and a necessity for medical personal. She wanted to volunteer with the relief efforts . She would have to bring along a couple of her med students .

I met this wonderful gal in Kuala lumpur . It was a warm summer evening . The Sun had set ,bringing an end to the punishing heat. But it was still humid enough . I was glad I wasn’t wearing a Jacket. Me and my friends were at a gathering of expatriates. This gathering usually helped us assimilate with the local populace . We got together to share tips and talk about life in this wonderful amazing country. One of my colleagues was six ft tall ,blue eyed ,blonde haired child from the Netherlands. You couldn’t miss him in crowd in Asia. Along with him came my Indian friend who was my partner in crime. They were my dynamic duo for the night.  We alighted from the Taxi at a Mall . We weren’t sure about the location. This was our first time to one of these gatherings. The concierge was helpful enough to give us an accurate direction. We headed to the elevator which was located outdoors . It took us up to the Second floor of the mall and directly opened up to a Restaurant. A Room was reserved by our host Anna whom met her at the entrance . We collected our name tags and complimentary drinks. The Doctor and her companion were the first people we met that night. After a bit of small talk we went our separate ways to meet more people. Later in the evening we revisited our brief encounter when the party was winding down .  

 She was a wonderful dancer. She felt light in my hands cause she was nimble on her feet. Alas it was the first and last dance we ever shared. We never met in person but we did keep in touch. She’s a wonderful soul. She’s been volunteering since 2006 for the Organisation Operation Smile. So far she has been to over 25 missions to fix kids with facial deformities. She loves hearing the laughter of kids . Especially those who have recovered after being Sick for so long. When she’s not out traveling or deep sea diving or just behind the lens of a camera taking photos of Smiling Children , she’s out there in there saving lives. For her, it’s a great feeling having saved some ones life. Like the 4 month old baby with severe pneumonia and respiratory failure in Philippines after the Hurricane. But she beats herself up too, every time she loses someone. After those moments, she always wonder if she could have done it better. 

For doctors, losing a patient is tragic. Losing a patient who is a child is devastating . She felt that way when she lost some one in her resident years. She could have walked away but she went on to further training in critical care for kids. She knows she can’t save them all but she would try. She tries to help the parents cope with their loss in times when the child is beyond saving.   

 

It’s not all about money,prestige and fame. There are many people out there like Nicole who sacrifice their lives for the greater good. There are Doctors in Africa who are working with Ebola Patients . And there are Doctors working in Gaza while the bombs drop around them .  They Risk harm to their Physical well being , mental health and emotional state . Nicole is back in the States and she will fly off to Africa soon. No matter where she goes, she will leave behind a trail of smiling kids.

Doctors -People within

Blessed is the hand that heals. For Nothing is more noble than saving a life. In Medicine , there is a fine line between life and death . And I know many who guard this path. I feel the practise of medicine is more of an art than science . Each treatment is Unique. Of course, there were many a times when I’ve been asked to take an aspirin and stay in bed . But I guess there isn’t much anyone could do for a Cold . Sometimes , Medicine is akin to witchcraft. I assume that’s the reason people still drop by their local parishioners ,voodoo practitioners and witch doctors to treat their maladies.

They may end up as your physician

                                                                I didn’t get the chance to know the doctor who brought me into this life. My Parents might remember him . But whoever he is, I’m eternally grateful. The Earliest medical practitioner I remember well was someone who used to treat me in Dubai. I visited him for a variety of illness over many years. He was the go-to-guy for all my treatments. When I was 4 years old, a surgeon saved my life. There was renovation happening at my kindergarden. Huge barrels which housed cables were lying about near the playground. So they became part of our jungle gym. We climbed on to them so we could jump off. During one of my jumps, for unknown reasons I turned around. I don’t remember scraping my head . But I do remember having been encircled by the other kids. I kept asking what happened. Then I felt the blood washing down my face .                                                                

                                                                               It flowed down my eyelids, along my cheek and onto my shirt. The Teacher pushed her way to the front of the crowd . There was a panic look on her face. The next moments were unclear. I was carried on a stretcher to the hospital . It was walking distance from my school and it was the same hospital I was born at. I remembered part of the surgery . They kept covering my eyes with a cloth and I kept pulling it off. I wanted to follow what was happening. Then I passed out. I guess the surgeon put me under. When I woke up , I was in pain. Well It didn’t hurt till after the surgery. I found my father besides me. I was glad to go back home.  I think I scared the School Administration. Cause I got back to school ,the barrels were gone. Oh how I missed them.

                                                                   Sometimes it feels like doctors are emotionless machines. But it’s just a mask they wear to keep their sanity intact. They do have their moments of vulnerability . I was able delve into the psyche of one of them . I met this doctor on the streets of wan chai in Hong kong. She was from the United kingdom and on her Holiday . She was eager to work for the organisation doctor without borders. But DWB is an exclusive group .Though they are a Non profit Organisation . My line of small talk led to her talking about her repressed feelings and emotions. I guess I knew how to ask all the wrong questions. There isn’t a doctor who hasn’t lost a patient in their career. And unlike the rest of us, they are unable to take time off to mourn . They have to close off their soul and concentrate on their next patient. And I admire them for this kind of professionalism. But I managed to bring these memories to the surface. In her words, It was the first time she ever thought back to those moments. She was finally able to shed a tear for them . I am glad she was able to come to terms with her feelings . I wouldn’t want her breaking down one day due to the pent up grief . That’s the last I’ve seen of her. And I hope she still practises medicine.

                                                                          It’s always funny when I take my nephews to the doctor. When they were 2 , they would cling onto me for dear life . I was their life boat on a sinking ship. And God forbid if they previous kid had an Injection. They would be crying even before the got to the doctor.  When they were 3 , they would negotiate with me . They would be willing to visit the doctor on the condition of no shots. But they are brave little buggers. When they do get a jab, the crying lasts only for a few of seconds. All I need to do is convince them the shots done. But most times they get off without getting a Injection . Cause it turns out they are better negotiators than me.