....It's true. We don't.
We stay up nights.
We ease your pain.
We don't sleep well, or in peace, ever.
We worry even after you leave.
We wonder if you'll feel better.
We wonder if you'll call and let us know you're better.
We OD on caffeine to stay alert. We sometimes need a pill to sleep in peace.
We refuse wedding invitations to be there for our patients.
We put our lives on hold, to learn more, to educate ourselves more.
We sacrifice our family lives, often.
We don't go out and party because we can't get drunk because we won't be able to treat you efficiently. Yes, we're geeky.
We sit by your bedside and wait till the pain subsides.
We never even hint that we want to go back to bed. We can't go, not while you're hurting.
We care.
We hurt when causing you pain too. Did you know that? The local anaesthesia is as much for us as it is for you.
We never let our anxiety show.
We never let out insecurity show.
We listen to you.
Without looking at our watches repeatedly.
We even put up with your sometimes Know-It-All attitude despite your ignorance or incomplete information.
We try to educate you, dispel your fears.
Even as we deal with our own fears.
We watch people younger to us getting married, having babies, being happy...and we still put our lives on hold till we can complete the chunk of our education.
We watch them and sometimes wish we were them.
We get out of touch with friends...often we live in our own world of medicines.
We wish you wouldn't doubt us.
We hate dealing with your distrust.
When we stand by your side to support you while you watch your stillborn baby, we fight to hold back our tears. We cry for your loss and pray for your souls after you leave.
We rub your tummies, we wipe your tears, we even clean your piss and vomit.
But its SRK or AB or PC whose autographs you want.
Dedicated to all conscientious Doctors around the world. And Janitors, nurses, sweepers and all medical personnel.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Doctors don't get asked for autographs.
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65 lost souls found themselves in my mirror....:
That was beautiful, so true and so sad.. But I do believe that people whose lives have been affected by a doctor always remember and cherish their memories..
@Smitha : Ah...i'm just having a frustrating day...actually a frustrating few years...this is a result of that :(
Aww.... we do love our doctors. House MD and Grey's Anatomy are in top 10 TV shows listing. And everyone wants an autograph of them. :D :D
Okay, on a serious note. Any man who does his work religiously deserves respect. And specially doctors who save lives. And as long as you are getting the respect, you shouldn't whine about an autograph. :D :D
And look at the brighter side. Doctors get filthy rich too. So not all is bad. :P
Really beautiful and straight from the heart!
But you know what....most/many doctors of today arent so sincere...they're irritated, have half baked knowledge, make wrong diagnoses, are more than willing to make a quick buck.
If ALL doctors were really as sincere, not only would have been a better place, but we really would have put him on a pedestal.
My kid's paediatrician who literally saved her life....for me HE IS GOD and no less!
@Aniket : *Whacking you on the side of your head*...Whos whining?? I'm just comparing the two situations! BTW, docs don't all get rich. And when they do, its much later than most people :) and besides...its not about the money...not for everyone.I don't know what made me write this...can't pinpoint exactly. But watch out for LGL's comment, she'll be spot on :D
@Aniket : *Putting an ice pack on side of previously whacked head* :)
That does it! You mean to say LGL is a better commenter than I am???
Grrrrrrrrrr...
See I was trying to crack stupid jokes and in turn was providing you an opportunity to take out your anger. Such a noble gesture.
I whole heartedly agree with SGD too though.
I have interacted with plenty a doctors. And probably 1% of them do all the things you've mentioned. Many are good at saving lives but are not that sympathetic to the patient.
I would have asked for an autograph too, but now you've done it. You had to name LGL didn't you?
@SGD : I do know that, thats why this isn't dedicated to all doctors ;)
Medicine is...v.v.vast. So vast I cannot even begin to explain to you...Everyone has doubts and no matter how much you read...you'll still be half baked. All doctors make wrong diagnoses sometimes...because we're human too. I feel that if the diagnoses is wrong due to laziness...its malpractice. But when we suggest tests, the patient's think we're out to make a "quick buck". No...Not all of us anyway.
Lack of sleep, lack of faith in our capabilities...makes us irritable. I understand and have NO sympathy for docs who are rude to patients. I'm not, ever. But the ones who are...do have their reasons.
No need of a pedestal...thats not why we work. We work to ease your pain, all kinds of pain...as best as God allows us to.
@Aniket : NOOO! LGL KNOWS ME! I mean like REALLY knows me. Deep DArk places and all :) she can pinpoint my psychological bent of mind. No favorites!! No I dont give autographs!
Not all doctors are like that. And u ppl seem to prefer the JERK docs.its the truth. ppl do.
Ah, we prefer the jerk geniuses. Like House. :D
"Genius has side-effects" :D :D
And "Deep dark places"... ooooooooooooohhhhh!!! ROFL!!!!!!
hey!!! LGLs my friend!
Whatever you say! :D :D
Am not judging! :P
Sigh...*Repeatedly whacks the head and hides the ice pack too*.
I liked this post. Made me appreciate doctors more --even though I already do.
What kind of doctor are you? Is it really that hard? I wanted to be a doctor of some sort, but sometimes I think I'm incapable.
Good job,
Pearl
What a heartfelt post!!! We do tend to take doctors for granted, and are aften guilty of being unreasonably demanding and accusing...but, deep down, we do appreciate the service-before-self essence of a doctor's vocation.
I have plenty of relations who are doctors (mama, maasi, etc) and I realise the other-side-of-the-picture you have so honestly and touchingly put across.
I absolutely agree!!I am a doctor myself and sometimes it really brings tears to me eyes seeing the patient in pain.Also when I have to be rude to my friends,relatives and other social peers who will not understand why I can't go out and meet them.Why I can't marry.that I am just making a big deal of my entrances.They don't understand how HUGE the course is!!
Good luck lady.Loved the post :)
To be a doctor was a dream which I couldn't realise, but in my book it still is the noblest of all professions, despite encountering some of the despicable lot.
In the same vein might ask you read Erich Segal's "Doctors". If you haven't am sure, you'd love it. Read long ago back in school, almost a decade and a half ago n yet the etchings of the story remains. :)
That's so true, forget autographs, we hardly thank them enough, its almost as if they have done a job..we pay and get going..at times though we are in awe of them too much to really cross over the formality and thank them. But still we do this crossing over very quickly when things go wrong..break clinics, injure doctors..truly lovely post!
so true..
but when i was a kid, i was scared of doctors and injections.. i hated them then...
chriz
It is said that God loves only fours kinds of ppl:
1. Doctors
2. Scientists
3.Writers
4.Artists
Btw, nice poem..r u a doctor?
This was something I never gave a thought to.... you can say it the best obviously, because you know! Beautiful!!! And also thought provoking. Well written :)
I never gave it a thought but u made me think about this and it's pretty much true.
From saving lives to giving tips to keep ourselves healthy(mentally or physically), you try to keep us far away from any health related troubles.You guys do an amazing job!
Love you Doc!
straight from the heart!! So true and so beautiful... but u knw...I have always called up my pediatrician and let him know of Imp's updates... one reason why most don't let their doc's know is cause the don't want to disturb them unnecessarily.
thought it was given that, if a patient didn't call back, they should be fine?
Okay, LOTS of pressure on LGL here...
One thing is clear to me. you love your job. you really do. nothing but pure love would make you go on slogging with such dedication in what is in the end a thankless job.
some people have pointed out that not all doctors are angels. the are right. some are money-hungry vultures. some are corrupt to the core. some have no heart at all.
but thats true for all professions, not just docs.
and while its so easy to take a doctor for granted, i think we need to take a break and be thankful to these people who spend so many years in rigorous sleepless study, only to spend the rest of their lives in rigorous sleepless dedication to the profession.
Sweta, you are one of the most sensitive and caring doctors i've met. if there are many more like you, the problem of distrust and in patients will be history one day.
and Sweta, no matter what you say, no matter how fustrated you are, i know you don't mind really. the look in a mother's eyes when you make her child's pain go away or tell her her infant will live, is thanks enough for you. you are just that type of a person. you don't need any more acknowledgement.
Ps1- i used to ask for doctors' autographs, when i need them to sign fake medical certificates after i had bunked too many classes. they charged me for it though, mean bastards
ps2- aniket- nah nah nah naah poo poo, stick THAT in some deep dark place of yours. :)
@Pearl : Thanks pearl...well its hard, sometimes its v.hard, but most of the time i love it :)
@Sucharita : It doesn't have to be SOOO deep down :D let it out a bit!
@Vitamin ME: Good luck to u too!! And i am going to read the secret!! ur words made me go get it!
@Sumit : All professions are noble if done wel.we cant do without each other now can we?
Have read "doctors" my copy is officially tattered!!
@Sujata : Yes, its easier to be bad than good right?
then again, doctors also hurry patients up...i've never yet met a patient who didnt thank me before leaving :)
@Chriz : Well the injections are make u better! [cruel irony i know]
@Tongue Fu lady: C'mon God loves all his kids!! Doctors or janitors!!!
Yes i am a doctor...see i only write abt what i know :)
@Nick : Love u too my most loyal patient!
@Imp's mom: I dont know IM...It cud also mean that they went to someone else cos they didn't obtain relief...the same meds dont work the same way for everyone...u shud come back and tell us, if ur not better so we can help u more :)
Besides...calling someone to give good news is the kind of disturbance that is most welcome!!
@LGL : SEE? I was right~ U do know me!!
Ur right, i love being a doc. i've wanted to be one since i was a kid. well that and an author.
I try to be a good doc...but i plan to be robin hood [girl is white coat lol.] rob the rich sick n save to poor sick. [i mean the genuinely poor not those who live in huts but have cable TV and camera cell fones.]...
but rich or poor i'll feel bad for all unless ur feigning illness and wasting my time!!
@Aniket : Excuse her!!
So true...being a doctor demands being really selfless
I am with you on this and add Mothers and fathers too in the list. I mean we run after useless "celebs" to get autographs but forget the real people around us.
Straight from heart this one.
@Pesto Sauce : Yes, more often than not...selflessness is needed. A must.
@Solilo : PArents are above everyone else. Totally on a different level :) a separate post required~!
hmm...nice one! When I shifted to Mumbai..I had some major weakness..adn was almost sick for 2 months..that was due to temperature change.. But some mean doctor gave me the name of all diseases which he could..infact I had some major chekups..after reading them he suggested some 15 days strong course... When i sent those reports to My family doctor he told me all reports are normal..and the medicins which he has given are the ones which we give for precautionary purpose...
After that I almost lost my faith in doctors.. I now usually prefer homeopathy...so u see its not we dont like this profession...but people have made it scary!!
@Chirpy Paaro : Hmm...I daresay he was trying his best...the bombay doc. why else wud he give u precautionary meds?
and the fact that reports turn out to be normal is something one can only say after one does the tests!not all reports are normal,its good luck!! Thats why we do them...this is what i said earlier...if we o our utmost to pin point a diagnosis, o=by ordering tests etc, we're again deemed incompetent. We just cannot win sometimes.
:)Here's something for you
http://scribblezpad.blogspot.com/2009/01/martyrs-of-third-kind.html
keep it rollin;)
PS: Not part of any publicity gimmick.
alle alle coffee!! why so glum??? and i am horribly late :|
so what coffee...u save lifes, u give hope, that by itself is a great feeling! no?
hugs to u! do cheer up!
btw, my browser fails to open blogspot comments page..have been reading, but can't post comments. finally got thru today!
Taboo blog...!!!
Hmmm. cool. just stumbled in...
Really good..
Try mine...
http://anandsathya.blogspot.com
-Anand
great, thoughtful and touching too... somehow we take several things for granted.. doctors and their care is in this list too..
but they dont do that for autographs, do they?? :)
The Colors Magazine
Aww! I liked this post. It's so true about Doctors. They do soo much for us and we don't appreciate them. Instead, we chase celebrities. :-|
@Crafty shines : Am all better :D And ur comment? yummy...better late than never!
@Anand : Will surely do so pal.
@ Lens : No, not for autographs...but do u know how it feels, when a Doctor recommends Pulse polio and is not taken seriously but Amitabh bachchan does so and people go rushing to the vaccination centres?
BTW: ur story was wonderful!
@Badz : Thank u for the acknowledgement!!
yup we dont ask doctors 4 their autographs but we give them blessings which comes straight from our heart. we sometimes even pray 4 dem. i guess dis is something more then asking 4 autographs. so wat if v dont ask dem 4 autographs.... we respect dem 4m heart.... direct dil-se....
living with soon to be a doctor i can already feel that.
@Badz : You made my day :o)
@Utopian fragments : gooood luck!!
I loved it.
for more than one reasons.
thanks!
@Deluded : Hmm...what reasons???
Angel,yours is a noble profession and your post made me realize that doctors live just a very small portion of their lives for themselves, the rest is divided into zillions of parts for the zillions of patients.Keep up yout good work.
@Sara : Thanks for the comfoting words Sara :o)
Wow..Never looked from this angle..But there has always been a sense of respect towaards Doctors..
Strangely enough I haven't been to a Doctor since last 8 years, but whosoever is my next one, must give me an autograph first :).
On second thought : How do u feel when u listen to this quote : "An apple a day, keeps the Doctor away " :)
@Brown Phantom: Interesting nickname B.P :o)
I'm glad u havent been to a doc for 8 yrs and lets hope the trend continues!
When i hear the apple a day quote, i feel good cos i follow it myself!!
Main KMC library? Attached to EDU building? I have something to ask you as well! Could I just email you that??
zeba.24.01.07@gmail.com
Hey Zeba. Have added u on gtalk. get in touch whenever ur online ok :) my is is dr.do2much
Nice one. On another note, the little girl you have on your page, whats her name???
She's sooo cute, me like her a lot!
@SSQuo : My little girl is called Google...thats right, after google.com..and she is v.v.smart :o)
I was in the ER last night for 8 hours with severe stomach cramps, vomiting...all kinds of nasty things going on.
And all I could think of was that everything would be ok because I was there with the best people in the world. Life's true hero's. Doctors and Nurses and ER Techs.
Never think you don't matter or we don't want your autographs. If we don't ask it's simply because to us, you are like Gods. Actors are at least human. Doctor's save our lives. That's a hard act to follow and an even harder one to approach.
I'm just glad to know that when I move to India there will be Doctor's like you around! It relieves me so! >:D<
@Aurorocoda : Thanks A. but I meant it metaphorically... :o) i think everyone took it literally here.
If u move to india, get in touch with me, I'm in Delhi!
Next time I see a doctor... I will see him or her differently... Thank you! :)
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