Indexing Title:

MDGALVEZ’s Medical Anecdotal Report [05-07] 

MAR title: Who, me? 

Date of medical Observation: Some time in 1999 

Narration: 

It was the morning after going on duty the whole night. I was so tired that from the emergency room I decided to use the elevator in going to the ward. Stopping in front of the door, it dawned on me that it wasn’t working and it seemed like it was under repair. Too tired to move, I paused for a moment staring blankly at the wretched thing thinking of how far I was to walk to get to the ward when I was suddenly brought to my senses when an old lady nudged me. She asked when the elevator would be fixed for it is giving the patients and their relatives such a burden to get from here to there. I shrugged my shoulders and said “don’t know.” She left and snapped back at me “you were tasked to repair the elevator yet you have no idea when it is going to be done?” and mumbled, “lazy fool…” What just happened? I’m awake …. Now wide awake but I wasn’t prepared for that. Anyway I shrugged it off thinking to my self that I must really be looking like a Viking coming home from pilfering and pillaging. I took a bath and soon forgot what had transpired earlier.

Coming from the minor OR, as I was about to pass the elevator where my day started, an old lady approached me and politely asked, “Will you be done with fixing the elevator some time soon? It’s a bit of a strain on my knees and back you know.” My ears felt warm and I knew I was flushed. I looked sternly at her but tried to sneak in a smile.

“Maybe after lunch I’ll get right to it” I humbly said. She left patting me at the back saying, “You’ll do a good job I know.” I watched her dragging herself down the corridor and all I can do is laugh at my self.

INSIGHT (physical, PSYCHOSOCIAL, ethical) (DISCOVERY, stimulus, reinforcement)

Just when I was about to feel insulted, it dawned on me that I am just an ordinary person just like anybody else. Why feel bad? It only implies that what sets me apart from others is that I am a doctor. It does not mean that I should feel superior and detached from the masses.

At the days end, I go back to being myself - an ordinary husband, a father and a member of our community. The doctor in me comes out when needed and not when I need it to