Indexing Title: MPADUA’s Medical Anecdotal Report [04-7]

MAR Title: Patient with Multiple Gunshot Wounds

Date of Medical Observation: October 2, 2004

Narration:

            I consider last October 2, 2004 as one of the most “adrenaline-rushing” moments for the past weeks.  The Surgery Emergency Room was then busy attending to a number of patients, when the sound of an eager man crying for help alerted each one of us.  He was carrying a boy whose clothes were soaked in blood.  At once, we attended to the poor boy, got his vital signs and resuscitated him immediately.

            The patient was a 6-year-old male, who was a victim of a shooting incident.  It happened 30 minutes prior, when the patient and his parents were having a prayer meeting inside their home.  The parents did not notice that their little boy got up from his place and walked out the door.  As he was walking down the stairs, he was accidentally shot by a man who was involved in a gun fight.

He was then brought immediately to Ospital ng Maynila, and seeing him there at the emergency room was unforgettable.  The boy’s cry was even more intense as he say “Mamatay na ko....”.  He sustained a total of 8 gun shot wounds.  I ordered the boy to be directed to the Operating Room and I together with my team did exploratory laparotomy; ligation of transected vessels; primary repair of liver laceration; resection-anastomosis of jejunum and sigmoid; primary repair of stomach, jejunum, ileum, sigmoid, urinary bladder injuries; Ileocolic resection; ileostomy-colostomy and drainage of pancreatic injury.

After 9 hours of operation, the critical part of sustaining the patient in his delicate condition faced us. At the recovery room, each and everyone’s effort was evident.  Every help that I and my team could provide was given to the child, just to help optimize his condition, though we knew at that time, that a miracle was the only hope for the child’s agony.  After a few hours, the little angel peacefully lost his battle for life.

Insights: (Physical, Psychosocial, Ethical) / (Discovery, Stimulus, Reinforcements)

            I realized that my job as a senior resident is a one big challenge.  It is not the title, prestige, nor the privileges that goes with it which is important, but the responsibilities that are bundled with it.  First and foremost I have the responsibility of leading my team.  Also, it is my duty to impart to them, the knowledge and skills that I have acquired, in order to save lives of the people who very much depend on us.  But on the other hand, I know very well that I should be open to the fact that even if I give my very best to heal my patients, still everything in this world has limitations.  We may provide all the materials, extend all our efforts, time, skills and talents, but if the all powerful and omnipotent God would not allow it to happen, then we just have to believe in His wisdom.