I don't know if it's actually a problem...
But I am actually liking Family Medicine (aka General Practice) waaayyy more than I ever expected!
Okay, getting answers right does motivate me much! And the occassional, rare praise from lecturers.
So I had just finished performing an ECG on an uncle, and was on my way back to the teaching clinic...
And there she was, an elderly Chinese woman, frail-looking, slightly kyphotic, with a walking stick right in front of the elevators. Her tears were welling up.
She looked up at me, and proceeded to grab my forearm.
Me: Yes, auntie?
Auntie: Boy, can you bring to the laboratory? I need to trace my reports. The doctor sent me up here to get it myself. My knees are in pain.
And then the tears kept pouring.
Me : *OMG OMG OMG!!! What did I do? What to do now?*
Auntie: My son is useless. His wife is heartless. They don't care about me. I am sick and nobody cares for me. I had to come to the clinic myself, all alone.
Me: Are they busy at work?
Auntie: NO!!! Today they have a day-off work. And they just don't care.
Me: I am so sorry, Auntie.
As we slowly walked to the laboratory department, she wailed. The crowd stared at me.
OMG!
Auntie: Nobody cares about me. I am going to die soon, and rot without anyone knowing.
Me: Don't be so sad, Auntie. You must take good care of your health! You must love yourself more.
[Corny, I know!]
I let her sit in the waiting area while I enter the lab to beg for the auntie's report.
Later, I walked her down to the Outpatient Department to see her doctor.
Auntie: My son is useless. He doesn't care about me. His wife is evil.
Me: Err... may be they have issues?
Auntie: They make me work at their bakery and care for their baby. But I get nothing in return. They treat me like rubbish.
Me: Err...
*Enter the Doctor*
Doctor: I very angry at this auntie!
Auntie: *cries somemore* Why you angry at me, Dr? I didn't do anything to you!
Doctor: I joke only, Auntie! Don't cry. I am worried because you always skip your appointments.
(err, bad timing for a joke?) Boy, tell this auntie... Blablabla.. medical jargon... blablabla... She is very lucky to have met you, boy! (Aww! *blushes*)
Then, I ran up to different departments to set the dates for her follow-up appointments for the upcoming months, collect her medication for her, gave her some 'patient education' material etc.
And I was practically her walking stick for the whole hour. Which involved me walking very veryyyyy slowwwwlllyyyy...
Auntie: I believe that people who do good will run into nice people who will help them. I do a lot of donations. Hehe!
Me: Yes auntie! Good karma?
Auntie: You have been such an angel to me, today! Come come, I give you the card to my son's bakery. I will give you a free Butter Cake when you come, since you have helped me so much today!
Me: It's okay Auntie! You're welcome! *beaming smile* Hehe!
As I was about to leave her and return to the teaching clinic...
Auntie: Is this your ID number on your tag?
Me: Yes. It's to identify me as a student.
Auntie: *took out a pen and started scribbling on her newspaper. THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF MY ID NUMBER!*
Auntie: Do you have a car?
Me: Yes, Auntie. I drive to the hospital/clinic.
Auntie: Can give me your carplate number?
Me: Auntie, you want to buy 4D ah? Strike lottery ah?
Auntie: Ya you also know ah? I feel very lucky today to have met you ma. Must try my chance.
Me: Okay Auntie. You take care okay? I have to get back to my class.
Auntie: Goodbye nice boy. I wish you every success in becoming a great doctor. I can see it in you already.
Me: *OMG I feel so shy shy leh!*
This experience totally made my day!!! =)
Great reminder as to why and what am I doing here in med school!!!
The experience just keeps getting harder, better, and the drive all the more stronger! Don't hate me, B!!!
The oddest thing was it all happened a few hours after I read Little Dove's latest post, right before I left home in the morning. =)
P.S. Half of Seremban had a major blackout just this evening!!! Even the streetlights were off!!! We nearly had to have dinner in the dark (there wasn't even a single candle at the restaurant we wanted to dine at!) Haha, good thing there is Aeon Jusco in Seremban 2!!!
Thanks again for dinner and the great company, buddy! =) Get me goodies from London alrighty!!!
