It has been a tough week for many in my region. This area was hit with heavy rains and flash floods with major rivers flowing over the danger mark. I, however, was comfortably carrying my routine. I was taking my daily route and cursing the establishment over the lamentable state of roads and dragging traffic. Beyond that, life was going normally. I was listening to the blues in the rain and other things. Today I met a patient with a heavily infected wound needing urgent reconstructive surgery. The patient is a dependent on his son. At first, I was angry as to why did they delay seeking treatment. The wound could have been managed with non surgical treatments had they arrived early. The son told me they were stuck in a town which was badly hit with flash floods and rain. There was no way out and no hospital, clinic or dispensary accessible. It was only when the rain subsided that they were able to seek treatment. Due to the increased infection in the wound they were referred here. That is the cost of life. That is the lesson of humility and empathy reinforced again and again.
We are living in a system of endless constraints. A system where arrangements are ramshackle and plan C is often replacing plan B. Once the checks and balances are in place and the patient reaches you. You better give your best and understand what they went through.
I was lucky to have met great surgeons who worked with great skill to achieve what they considered the end goal.
However, one stands out for his empathy and emotional intelligence. He deals with patients whom many couldn’t treat. Many of them are children with facial disfigurations and skeletal anomalies of the face. Many come from afar. He is not only consummate but apart from his cold analysis he takes the patient’s perspective. He wants to dress the wound himself in his thorough and consummate yet kind way. I try to remember his words and emulate his approach. I will never match his skill but I hope to match the emotional intelligence that he brings to every consultation.
