Being a doctor I am always consulted by relatives, friends and neighbours. I always try my best to satisfy them and help them. Now I understand one thing very clearly that what a patient needs is patient hearing and empathy. A little time to listen to their issues and words of assurance help them the most, even better than some medicine.
Mr J P Sharma was father in law of my cousin sister. This relation may seem a distant relation to some people but we had another relation doctor- patient relation. He would call me almost every month for routine check-up and I used to check him and advice necessary medicines. He had unshakable faith in me. Whatever is the problem I used to be the first person to be consulted. At the age of 83 years, thing started to get worsen, bleeding piles, anaemia made him very weak. That gentleman, who was a retd. Additional commissioner of CID fought bravely with all health challenges. Sometimes when I could not reach the same day, he called me; His voice on phone would sound “Dr. Pintoo, you seem to be very busy these days” and I always answered him like an obedient son “No Uncle, I will come today for sure. Till then you start …….and then we shall see what else we can do.” He never requested me to visit their place, he always called me as he had every right on me, and of course he did.
He was not well for almost a couple of month; I knew that things are not well. I visited him almost daily. His condition deteriorated hence his sons decided to consult a super specialist. But uncle was not very pleased with the idea. Even when the other doctor advised him to take other medicines, he got it confirmed from me whether it was OK to take those medicines. I told him that “Dr……. is a very senior and reputed doctor and his advice should be followed” “You are the most senior doctor for me” he answered. Somehow I convinced him to follow the new treatment and then he kept worsening. His intake reduced drastically and lost weight. He was unable to sit and talk for more than a minute. I had to go to Pune for a couple of days for a conference. When I came back to Nagpur and saw him he was almost gasping for breath. That was the first time he did not recognize me. I told Jijaji and other family member that he was not good and anything could happen within 24 hours. Some people advised to admit to big hospital, but that was like hanging him on IV lines and ventilators and making his remaining life more miserable.
He breathed his last on Sunday night. I LOST A PERSON WHO HAD COMPLETE FAITH IN ME. It was not a patient’s death; it was a loss which can not be expressed in words. Aunty (his wife) was inconsolable, she held me close and kept crying, I was trying to console her with choked throat. My moist eyes could see his still body and slightly opened mouth, as he would ask me about some medicine again.
