Index Title: RDELEON's Medical anecdotal Report [04-5]

MAR Title: One Fine Day

Date of Medical Observation: July 29, 2004

Narration:

            It all began when I assumed my from duty status. Since it was a Thursday morning, all the residents went to attend the conference and being the second year from duty resident, I am tasked to man the Emergency Room.  It was relatively an easy morning patients came in one by one.  I was waiting for a text or a call from my co-residents if I will be presenting my research paper.  As I was attending to my patients, I started to notice that gradually the number of patients was starting to file up. So I double my phase in addressing to their needs.

            As I saw the clock approaching 11am, I was relieved that I will not be presenting my research paper. But, I wasn’t able to cherish this thought because patients just keep coming and coming. Cases ranging from a simple medico-legal case to various type of trauma, such as fall, vehicular accident and the likes.

            Then an 85/F came in the Emergency Room, she fell from the stairs with bleeding and on examination there was no apparent lesion that will be attributed to the bleeding. As we were examining her, another patient was wheeled in, this time the patient was involved in a vehicular accident. He was hit on the abdominal area and on examination we were thinking of a blunt abdominal trauma. Paraclinical diagnostics procedures were done to confirm such diagnosis. As this exams were being carried out, new sets of patients came in and out of the ER. And one by one, I have to attend to there needs and take time to explain to each and every there condition.

            As for the blunt abdominal trauma, Chest X-ray Upright showed no pneumoperitonium and Ultrasound of the abdomen revealed no fluid in the peritoneum. I took time to talk to the relatives of the patient, explaining each result and their implications. That for the time being, we will have to observe the patient if he will develop any sings that will require an immediate operation.

To top it all, 2 castings for bone fracture on the leg were waiting for me. One by one, I attended to their needs, taking time in explaining each and every condition of each patient. I have to say I was really tired. I can feel my body getting weary. But what the heck, this is my work and it had to be done not just to accomplish my work but for the sake of the patients.

It took me up to 6 pm to finish my ER work. I rested for awhile, took a shower and prepare to go home. When I was about to leave the ER, the mother of the patient with blunt abdominal trauma approached me and asked me if I was going home. I said to her that I was going and she replied “Pano na po ang anak ko? Sa’yo lang po ako kumukuha ng lakas ng loob!” With her comment, I felt all the bad things that I was feeling were suddenly lifted and all the day’s work was appreciated.  I sat down beside the mother on the bench and told her theirs nothing to be worried about, for her son was in a very capable hand and operation was still an option but it was not very likely.

Insights (Discovery, Stimulus, REINFORCEMENT):

            There are times when our work will really exhaust us not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. And during those times, our patience is being tested and no matter how tired we our, it is the way we handle ourselves and way we carry the situation that differentiate us from just being a  doctor to a humane doctor.

            No matter how difficult the situation is, as long as you know how to prioritize, everyday is One Fine Day!