Indexing Title: OLEYSON’s Medical Anecdotal Report [04-6]

MAR Title: A Good Patient

 Date of Medical Observation: August, 2004

 Narration:

            I received a text message from one of my patient’s husband, informing me that her wife died from her illness a week ago. She was a 32-year-old female diagnosed to have Breast Cancer Stage III-B (T4N2M0).  She consulted a month earlier with a breast mass 10x10 cm mass almost occupying her right breast, with matted lymph nodes. Part of her complaint was the pain she endures on her right arm, accompanied with swelling. Our service consultant then was informed and the plan was palliative and for neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Her husband confided and honestly told me that they have no money for her chemotherapy.  He added that he was only a sidecar driver earning 100 pesos a day, enough to feed his family of five. I told him that I would prepare all the necessary papers but he has to apply it personally to Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office for financial assistance.  They both agreed to our plan and patiently waited for the clinical abstract. One of my senior residents even prescribed her with morphine for the pain. 

            Knowing that the plan was to palliate her condition, they persistently followed-up until their papers were complete. 

Insights (Physical, psychosocial, ethical) (Discovery, Stimulus, Reinforcements)

            What is exceptional about her was her determination to do everything to keep on living.  Even her husband shows the same sentiments.  For the past four years that that I’ve been here in these hospital, I have encountered all kinds of patients from those who can afford consultation and those who can only enough to pay his fare to go to OM. 

With this kind of patient from what I’ve seen, the financial status of the person does not dictate his outlook in life. There is no rule that could predict how a person will react when confronted with his/her medical condition. Even in the last moment of their life.