Indexing Title:

JMDEGUZMAN’s Medical Anecdotal Report [05-06] 

MAR Title: “The Choice between Life and Death”  

Date of Medical Observation: July 2005 

Narration:

            Do we have a choice between life and death? A 72-year-old female was brought in our institution. She just underwent Total Thyroidectomy for a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid a month ago at a private hospital in Quezon Province. With a recurrent neck mass, rapidly enlarging at that now almost occupying the whole area of her neck associated with progressive dysphagia and dyspnea, we thought otherwise. We referred this patient to our service consultant and the verdict was there is nothing more definite that we could do except inserting a tracheostomy tube to ease her breathing and insert a tube jejunostomy to be able to feed her.

            There was no denying the look of desperation and exasperation on the face of her relative when the patient said no to our plan. Death will be inevitable anyway, the only question is when? How long will she be in this condition, gasping for breath, unable to eat? But she had a choice, it is her birthright. No matter how we convince her, she was firm. Her only wish is to go home.

            I finally gave in, accepted my defeat in convincing this patient. When I bid my farewell, I did not recognize any resentment on her face. She gave me a smile and said “Thank You, doctor.” I smiled in return.

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

            As doctors we value life the most. In the beginning of a slightest sign of life our role as doctor, guardian of life begins. The question is, do we see the quality of it? In the event of prolonging her life, we are also liable of prolonging the agony. We must accept the truth that after birth, the only thing inevitable is death. As much as we want to embrace life we must also muster to embrace the other side of it.

            This patient has taught me how to conquer death by gladly accepting it. She is at peace with her creator and she had her chance to experience life to the fullest.