wen
Saturday, February 18, 2006
"all of life is medicine, but medicine is not all our life"-Prof Ding
Had a most meaningful class with a most inspiring figure yesterday. you know how you can get all sucked into the daily rountine of mudanities, fulfiling responsibilities after responsibilities, that you almost forget to stop, and literally smell the roses? At this point, if you are lucky, some awe-inspiring figure will step out, and ask you some very thought-provoking questions.
why are u doing medicine?
what is most important in your life?
when was the last time you did some self-reflection?
and i pause. i ponder. and i begin to wonder, have i grown and matured through my journey as a medical student?
and then i remember the old patient whom i prayed earnestly for, and who miraculously took a turn for the better. the nice man with lung cancer, who looked me in the eyes and told me that i will be a great doctor, and the lady who kissed me on the cheek and thanked me for listening to her, and the frail old Italian man who could hardly catch his breath, could hardly speak a word of English, and yet somehow i knew that he was comforted by my daily visits, and the smile on his face when i held his hand made my everyday.
this, this is why i'm doing medicine.