“I can’t be selfish because I have lots of responsibilities.”
This post first appeared in my Facebook post HERE. You can read my previous story HERE.
The year 2013 1:30 am
I received a call from casualty about Mr. C. He was a 60-year old chronic kidney disease with diabetes mellitus patient whom I had been counseling for dialysis for the last 6 months.
He refused fistula operation and initiation of dialysis even though I told him one day he would end up in casualty gasping for air.
“ Dr. Goh, Mr. C is very breathless with oxygen saturation of 80% on a high flow mask!” My medical officer was very anxious.
The year 2013 1:45 am
I rushed to the hospital and spent the next 2 hours putting a catheter for him and stabilized him in our high dependency unit.
The year 2015 9:30am
“ Ah Keong, I am having a high fever with severe body ache. Can you come home earlier to see me today?”
I got a phone call from my mum during my daily busy clinic.
“ Ok, OK, I will come home early today.”
The year 2015 9 pm
After all my daily routines, I reached home at 9 pm and noticed my mum was having a high spiking fever. I quickly rushed her to the hospital.
She was diagnosed to have Leptospirosis later and stayed in the hospital for 4 days.
I attended to a patient who never listened to my advice within 30 mins but my own mother who religiously adhered to my advice had to wait for 12 hours to see her own son.
Sometimes I wonder whether I love the people I care about the most in life.
Respect people who find time for you in their busy schedule, but love people who never look at their schedule when you need them.
Doctors do an absolutely impossible job, please at least respect your doctor!
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