INDEXING TITLE: RSMUJER’S Medical Anecdotal Report (06- 01)

MAR Title: Gentle is Better

Date of Medical Observation: January 06, 2006

Narration:

There are only two people in this time, the “nagpapaloko” and the “manloloko”. Some people will do almost anything for an extra buck defrauding friends and relatives to get more. Others still believe in honesty and have faith in people. That’s how the latter get fooled.

 It was the second week of January at OPD. I just came from the Minor Operating room and was about to go home. Around the corridor, I saw people approaching my way, as they came nearer, I recognized an old woman escorted by three. They were referred to me by my sister from Laguna and that’s why aside from entertaining them well and lending medical services free of charge, I had to provide for laboratory and drug expenses. The patient was in her fifties, wearing a second-hand, faded clothes and silky satin hair dress also covering part of her chin. I talked to them in a well-mannered approach and had a very careful history taking to patient. As patient removed her hair dress, I was a bit of shock with the smell and appearance of the lump. This was cancer, I said to myself. I got my tools and biopsied the tumor on her chin.  After awhile, in the parking lot, the four approached me again, this time to borrow money for traveling home. I lost my temper and felt they were totally ripping out every piece of my generosity. I became impolite and sarcastic, yelling them with harsh words of criticism, tearing them down in seconds. They became timid and felt ashamed of themselves. I would never forget the look on their faces. Since then, I felt an ice cold on my head and regained my composure, regretting what I had just done.

 INSIGHTS: (physical/psychosocial/ethical/stimulus/reinforcement/discovery) 

I realized that to correct someone it should be done clearly and kindness, even with a smile. It should never or very seldom be over-powering. In this time of economic crisis, people will do anything to survive as sayings goes, “A poor man knows no law.”  That’s why they get into illegal activities, defrauding people for their own cause. That’s also the reason why they would gamble their own welfare and what little reputation they have in the hope of getting more from trusting and gullible people. My wrecking words do not build them up to change but instead, tearing them down into hopeless.

 Life is hard they say. I agree. And it would take pride and a lot of patience to sustain composure when abused and/or felt used. However, I learned the power of affirming word was more effective than a ruthless condemnation.