“Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let each day’s work absorb your entire energies and satisfy your widest ambition.” — Sir William Osler, FRS, FRCP
This Facebook post first posted in my Facebook on 21/01/2021 HERE.
You can read another physician’s story HERE.
The year 2013 11:00am
Mr. Lim a 50-year old man with a background history of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus for 15 years came to see me for chronic kidney disease.
I noticed his creatinine level was 250 and has been worsening slowly over the last few years. His HbA1C was 14% ( optimal sugar control level should be less than 6.5%).
“Mr. Lim, your sugar is poorly controlled, you have to control it better to prevent progression of your kidney disease.” I tried to explain evidence-based medicine.
” Dr. I suspect my kidneys are in bad shape because I started to take diabetic medications for the last year!”
” You have to control your sugar better, all studies show better sugar control translates to better long-term outcome.” I tried very hard to convince him.
” I don’t trust western medications. Big pharmaceutical companies are trying to cheat us to take medications and the drugs are expensive! I want to try the supplement and herbal medicine.”
He showed me various brochures of direct-selling supplements recommended by his friends and relatives which were certainly more expensive than my diabetic medications.
“You all doctors are just trying to sell us drugs!” Mr. Lim left my clinic and never came back for follow-ups after that.
The Year 2016 2:30am
I saw Mr. Lim again in the hospital casualty room gasping for air with a creatinine level of 1200 ( very bad kidney failure).
” Dr. you have to save me, I can’t breath!” Mr. Lim was so cachexic and I almost couldn’t recognize him.
Yes, I needed to do my work and helped as many patients as possible even though I knew they might forget about my advice again next round.
The year 2019-2021 During #Covid19 pandemic
” Doctors are heroes!”
A Facebook user, who never read newspaper
” Doctors overwork, we shall compensate them more!”
Mr. Lim, who likes to complain about his GP’s consultation fee
” Thank you so much to keep us safe!”
Mr K, who likes to slap people in restaurant
” We owe a debt of gratitude to the entire healthcare community!”
Mr. G , A politician who jump from one party to another
” We need vaccines as soon as possible!”
Auntie Lim, who likes to ask me,” Can you drug work?”
The Year 2023 Pandemic is over
” Doctors are money sucking creatures!”
Mr. Lim again!
” It is f**cking insane he charges me MYR180 for consultation!”
Mrs K, Mr. K’s wife
” I am thrilled to get J* Cho* concert ticket at MYR1000!”
A Youtuber, who makes MYR1000 per day
” I better take supplements than getting vaccine.”
Ms Ong, Auntie Lim’s neighbour
” I don’t trust doctors! They just want to make money!”
Mr. F who just jumped from Party B to Party A
Entertainer’s Facebook Page 150,000 Likes
Doctor’s Facebook Page 2 Likes
Yes, it is human nature to be forgetful. Doctors’ jobs are always underrated! Real friends are only discovered during times of crisis.
* If you have interesting stories/social media stories that you would like to share with my blog’s readers, please email me at info@drgohhk.com
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