Saturday, September 7, 2013

"One more patient"

Beethoven's fifth symphony. One of the most powerful music ever composed. The distinct rise at the beginning; followed by the fall, then the gradual growth again. I fell in love with it many years back. As they say once you are enticed by that beautiful piece of music you will find it hard to go back.

Nurse asked if she should get the phone. She is new. The regulars know that this ringtone is assigned to my other love. She’ll be calling to tell me she reached. She can wait. While this patient cannot. Road traffic accident it seems. What do we know but what the patient party tells us. Even in the casualty they tell stories to keep their side safe.
I told her I’ll be done in 10 minutes. Well that was around 40 minutes ago. I don’t think anybody would understand my duties so well.
Patient is conscious but numerous bruises on the face. Only after the blood and dirt is removed you get to know the full extent of his injuries. Sometimes it is not as bad as it appears. From the looks of it all the major arteries are intact. It won’t take much time hopefully.
The fifth symphony. Again. She will be waiting outside. She has been with me long enough to know my 10 minutes might go up to an hour or sometimes more. She will be probably calling to see whether I am stuck with the paper works. She sometimes helps with those stuff.
 If only the patient knew what and all thoughts that go through our heads while cleaning up the wounds. Sometimes the training and your instincts take over and let you do certain procedures with ease.
“Doctor one more patient. They are trying to stabilize her”
Almost one hour since my duty got over technically but I am still here. I looked at the clock, making it obvious for the nurse that I am looking at the clock.
“Last patient sir; promise” nurse said with a smile. I was amazed at the ability of the nurse to smile at that moment.  Her cheerfulness was contagious. Last patient it is.
“Take my phone, call Sarah and ask her where she is.” I said as I walked to that patient on the other side of the casualty.
Her ringtone becomes louder and louder. She is already here? I thought of looking around but she shouldn’t be inside the casualty. I first saw that lady holding her phone, one look at the patient told me what I feared.
Everything went black. I think I fell down.

(I got the idea for this story from a real life incident where I couldn't meet an old friend due to my professional responsibilities. I was feeling bad about it but then I realized that is how it is gonna be. I accepted the fact that sometimes or most of the times professional commitments might stand in the way of personal ones. Beethoven's 5th symphony is indeed a masterpiece, it is worth listening to.. )


12 comments:

  1. scary thought isnt it? And sadly, the underlying theme of having to cut off your life while being in the hospital is also frightening. Every time I cut a call from home while doing a case, a small part of me worries whether something is seriously wrong. It has happened too in last few months.

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    1. True. . Even when I get a call from home at a time when I don't expect any calls the scary thought comes up. .

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  2. This is why I never call my family at odd times even when I am in a big problem, that is saved only for the times when I might be dying :P :P
    My mother hyperventilates over every tiny thing :D

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    1. I can understand. . Even I call my parents only in the evening when I am relaxed and more importantly when they are relaxed at home. .

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  3. That odd call that is placed out of the usual time is always scary. I try my best to answer it. Just so I could be at peace. But I can understand your situation. Always tough, ain't it..??

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    1. Not always but most of the times yeah it can be tough. . Sometimes I feel switching off the phone can be the best thing to do.

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  4. You have a hardest job I guess. Be proud of it!

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  5. That was so sad and so scary at the same time! Amazing.

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  6. You could very well be the writer of Grey's anatomy.... Nice work...:)

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    1. Thanks Swetha!! :) :) I am still waiting for them to call me! :P

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