Teacher’s Day

I got an unexpected sms from one of my students this morning while I was doing the rounds. It brought a smile on my face. I plain forgot that today is teacher’s day.

The sms went like this:

Dear Dr,

Thanks for being wonderful in all ways that count,

For giving guidance in just the right amount,

Thanks for all the caring, for all the thoughtful things you do,

And on this special day, special thanks just for being a teacher we value!

Have a happy teacher’s day!

Awwwww…..

So sweet.

Makes me remember all my wonderful teachers who made me what I am today.

Thanks.

Fri, 160508 @ 1245

Happiness is…

Happiness is seeing my patient who almost died (he was the one I alluded to in an earlier post) walking into my clinic this morning for his review.

No longer confined to his wheelchair, he is now able to get up and walk short distances; the pressure sore on his back has healed, he has put on 2.5 kg in the last one month, some color has returned to his cheeks, the previous discharging ulcer on his neck is showing signs of healing and is no longer actively pouring out sickly green pus. The anti-HIV and anti-TB medications are doing their miraculous work in him.

He wore a big smile when he greeted me. His mum who came with him had the sweetest smile.

The battle is far from over but small measures of victory have been won.

And for that I’m grateful, to God, for giving me the privilege of being part of this man’s journey back to health.

Fri, 160508 @ 1225; Jimbo and family will be leaving for his church family camp up in Cameron Highlands, for some much needed rest, recreation and rejuvenation. I could smell the mountain air already…

Asked to Lie

Previously, in ‘A Bad Legacy’, a man with HIV+ passed away, leaving behind his wife who is also HIV+ and 4 children. Due to a young doctor’s inexperience, the man’s death certificate bore the dreaded diagnosis: HIV+. This oversight started a series of unfortunate events, including the wife and children being ostracized by both sides of the family, her losing her job, her 2 elder children had to quit school and the insurance agency where the man’s life policy was bought from refused to release any money to her and finally, the insurance agency covering a house they bought in both their names refused to release the house to her.

Things looked a bit brighter nearing Christmas 2007 when the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) agreed to provide some financial assistance to her 2 younger children until they reach the age of 13 years old.

Now the story continues:

Since then, much water have passed under the bridge. The widow found a new job as a kindergarten teacher, her 2 elder children are taking night classes and working as mechanics in the day; her 2 younger children receives RM 80 each per child per month from the MAC (previously I thought it was RM 200 per child but apparently they have downsized the amount a bit).

The tussle with the insurance agencies continued to be the proverbial ‘thorn in the flesh’.

First they asked her to obtain written medical reports from all FOUR specialists who have treated her husband (!) ~ a move which defies logic as all 4 specialists (including Jimbo) have seen the same patient in the context of the same clinic and therefore demanding for 4 separate reports was either an act of sheer ignorance or plain stupidity. Furthermore, each report from a specialist would have costs the widow RM 80! Jimbo and another specialist wrote the reports FOC while another 2 declined to write the reports.

Next, another letter came from the insurance people requesting for copies of the deceased’s lab reports, specifically asking for his HIV status report. Copies of the reports were made and given to the widow.

Last week, the widow came to Jimbo’s clinic. It was an unscheduled visit. This conversation took place:

She: Good morning doctor.

Jimbo: Good morning! How are you? What can I do for you?

She: Doctor, I hope you can do me a big favor.

Jimbo: What is it?

She: The insurance agent has asked me to come see you. She said that if I can get a letter from you stating that my husband’s HIV report cannot be found in the hospital record, they can settle the insurance problem quickly.

Jimbo: I don’t understand. I thought I already gave you the copies of the report. How can I now say they are not found?

She: Actually I did not submit the reports to them. They now want a letter from you saying my husband HIV report cannot be found.

Jimbo: Are you asking me to lie?

She: Please doctor. It has been more than 8 months since my husband has passed away. This problem is a big headache for me. Life has been very tough. They won’t let me have the house. Please help me.

Jimbo: I know what you mean. I will help you to the best of my ability but this I am afraid, I cannot do. I’m really sorry. It would go against whatever principle I have. I’m really sorry. I can’t write the letter.

She: I know. It’s okay. I am just trying to see if I could get the letter. Thank you anyway.

She got up and left the clinic.

I felt very empty then. I felt that I have failed her. The whole system have failed her.

The question is, would you have done it any differently?

Fri, 160508 @ 0700