Saturday, October 18, 2008

How to save a life?


When I saw the patient at the treatment room, I had a gut feeling things will go worse. I don't know what came to my mind that prompted me to decide immediately to transfer the patient to a nearby hospital. Although he seems to be doing okay, I saw signs that he already had a stroke. In 5 minutes we were able to bring the patient downstairs and hailed for a cab. Then suddenly he was gasping for air gradually turning blue. I started chest compressions until the taxi arrived a few seconds later. Inside the cab, I never stopped pumping his chest and praying to God to give him more time. He was alone when it happened. I don't even know his name, age or where he came from. I'm not even sure what medical disease he has or what triggered the situation. All I know is he was on a certain medication and he doesn't know what is happening to him. I continued resuscitating him but I knew that I lost him half-way through our transit. How I wish I could give him breath or even give him a piece of my life until we reach the hospital. I gave everything, but to no avail. It was a culminating event in my life as a physician. I felt powerless. He died in my arms, despite the efforts I gave. I didn't question God but asked Him what message He wants to tell me in this event. I felt so inadequate. Honestly, I don't see myself as a good doctor. I feel that I need to know more. I don't even deserve wearing a white blazer because I know it signifies a lot of responsibility. I don't even brag that I am a doctor when I am asked by acquaintances. I feel that I have a long way to go. Nowadays, physicians are no longer accorded with much respect and honor. They see us as some skilled personnel being paid by HMO's. We are paid for routine services that their insurance policies promised. Patient's now dictate on us what we are supposed to do. We are dragged into commercialism. Gone are the days that physicians are given utmost respect. All are into money making. In fact, they respect nurses and call center agents more than physicians. Sad to say, we earn so much less and we are still under our parents turf. It clouds our desire and calling to serve humanity, because our wallets are empty. We want to give more but our stomachs are grumbling. We give all we can to our patients even if we don't get anything in return. Most of the time, you don't even hear them say, "thank you".
I guess I encounter the same fate in my relationships. I give everything --- my time, my money --- but we don't get anything in return. Despite the sacrifices you give just to make them love you back, they seem as cold as death. You try your best to resuscitate the bond, but they gradually drift away. You still hang on and give whatever you got, hoping maybe they would wake up, but you see signs that it is hopeless. Crazy thing about us, even if we know they are dead, we still revive them. I share the same predicament, I still love them even if I know they are gone already. Sad thing about it, they forgot everything you did for them. They think you are dispensable.
It is my hope one day that someone would stay with me. That I will not worry about resuscitating the relationship or shall I say "save a life". I do hope I would come to rest my heart with that special person who will love me as I am despite of.

2 comments:

Dann said...

Like your blog!
Dann

chris said...

Thanks.