First of all, Happy New Year!!
Though, the start of the New Year has been plagued by sadness. Just 5 days into indoor posting and I lost my first patient. It is very unfortunate and disturbing. He was 67yrs old, non-ambulatory patient of Pemphigus vulgaris also on ATT for pulmonary Koch's. He had been in the hospital for past 1month, had received blood transfusion and was due for another today. His high dose steroid regime wasn't too favourable for his present condition but then I'm no one to point fingers. Though, death by all means is inevitable but then medicines and medical professionals do have a role to play in modifying this inevitable.
As a doctor, maybe,I can't beat myself for not being that well informed about his history and a casual approach (even if it wasn't). But it did come as a rude shock! And it made me realise how important a physician's duty is towards his patient. When they say,' Doctors can't make mistakes', perhaps, they are right. We certainly, don't have any right to play with a patient's life just because we were too busy getting a manicure done or too lazy to get out of bed! We chose this life so along with the perks we should by all means be ready to face the responsibilities and sacrifice that come along.
Today someone lost a husband, father and brother. He might not have been able to give them a parting gift but... he did give me one! I wholeheartedly thank him and pray that God gives his family strength to face this reality.
He might have touched many lives during his lifetime and even when he is gone... he remains my inspiration and my motivation.
May his soul rest in peace!
