Indexing Title:

JMDEGUZMAN’s Medical Anecdotal Report [05-04]

 MAR Title: “Cell phones, connecting lives”

 Date of Medical Observation: May 2005

 Narration:    

            Last week, I received a text message from an unregistered number. It read as follows, “Good am, doctor. I am the daughter of one of your patient, Mr. Arguelles. You operated on him a year ago. He died last April 30, peacefully. I just want you to be informed. Thank you, doctor, for all you have done.”

            I remembered him (patient). He came in our institution with fairly advanced sarcoma of the foot. He was bothered by this tumor that he can not walk properly besides the pain he was experiencing from the primary lesion and metastatic lymphandenopathies on the ipsilateral inguinal area. He underwent wide excision of the primary lesion on the lateral aspect of the foot and in-transit lesion in the lower leg with inguinal dissection for the lymph node metastasis. Though, I was not the main surgeon, not even the first assist, I was part of the team. I did my daily rounds as usual, including minute bedside works such as post-op wound care and change of dressings. I considered this role equally vital for his recovery. He was discharged ambulatory and free from pain.

             Unfortunately, I never had the chance of meeting him again nor one of his relatives after his discharge until I received this text message. For a while, I was taken aback, I never received an obit in the past other done a close relative. I regained my composure and replied the best note I could muster, saying “I am sorry and extend my deepest condolences to the whole family.”

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

            Cell phones are really the thing of the present and maybe the future. It evolved from being a luxury gadget afforded by the few in the past becoming a necessity for the masses, connecting lives. Normally, I would not respond to an unregistered number. I was puzzled in a way or the other how she got hold of my number. But her message was full of calm, touching, and so, I obliged myself to reply.

            It was always one of my philosophies to do a good deed without waiting return, as long as I am happy and fulfilled doing it I will continue to do so. If it will be recognized then my gratitude is for them. Bedside works such as daily rounds, wound care and change of dressings, even small pep talk to the patient and relatives may seem very menial for us doctors who do this things everyday. But for the patients and relatives it is a privilege for them to be noticed and be served. These little things just like cell phones serve as bridges that connect us to them. These are the ways that we are being trusted as one of their close friends or one of their own relatives.