IMAGE CREDITS: GOOGLE ( PUBLIC DOMAIN)
A challenging evening of rushing amidst pouring rain and a late-night drive with poor visibility to attend to a pregnant patient who is grappled with fear as she lost her 9 months fully grown baby right at birth in her previous pregnancy awaits me at the OT table. What will fate bring to her this time?
A sweet excitement along with surges of anxiety and fear make her vulnerable as I see best how I can set her mind to rest and deliver my duty to administer anaesthesia in the safest way. It is almost reflex now after 20 years of anaesthesia practice to always keep chanting God’s name under the breath to be able to do my best for my patient. Anaesthesia was initiated and the surgeon was just about to give an incision when the electricity went off. The power back had also failed and the patient was frightened more than ever. Comforting assuring words do wonders and again they did.
Soon power back up was restored. Towards the end of the surgery, when I was just about to leave, she called out to me and asked, ” can you hold my hand ?” And I said,, ” why not? I also keep waiting for someone to hold my hand” and we held hands for a few minutes, the silent tears palpable between us both. It was a raw moment of humanity, an unspoken silent oath of friendship and faith that two humans can share without words or any exchange spoken.
It makes me know ..kindness touches us all the same! So don’t shy from offering to others what you most seek deeply too.
Discover more from Dr Pallavi Kwatra
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.