Being a doctor

There are two kinds of people in the world- one who are living each moment of their life as if it were the only life-defining moment and the other, who just go on living without a thought.

In our lives as doctors, too, we encounter the two types... one who live and die with each patient they treat and those who simply treat disease conditions.

From the ringside, the view is fantastic. The Doctor is a "God", someone who demolishes everything that comes in the way of health! Everything that puts ordinary mortals out of commission is put out of commission by the Doctor. Everything that makes ordinary mortals unable to do their ordinary everyday living is precisely what defines everyday living of doctors! Glamour. Strength. Victory. Undefeatable. Doctor.

From the ringside- it is only glamour and strength... the internal workings of a very human mind and body, the tribulations and triumphs of the human being who works with and on other human beings are often not seen by onlookers.

The mistakes and accidents are not viewed as mistakes and accidents. These are things that have affected another human being adversely. Does one human being set out to harm another- especially as a doctor? The first category feel each moment and each patient as a mission... something they are ordained by God and Destiny to help heal. The second category do what they can, and move on.

Which are doing their duty faithfully and with Faith?

Why is the stress of a complication something that the first category of humans who have trained to be doctors feel so much in their bones and sinew- in the depth of their souls?

They did the best they could- they cannot do anything less... And yet they carry the burden of the complication as a personal failure...

They did the best they could- they cannot do anything less... And yet they carry the cross of the mistake till it bleeds their soul dry...

And then, they get up once again. They set about doing the very thing that caused so much pain and anguish. They demand more from themselves. They stretch. And they stretch more and more. There will come a point when the stretch will no longer be possible... the string will break. The break point of every human being is different and programmed by something beyond our ordinary perceptions.

This is one reason why doctors married to doctors survive not only their professions well but also their marriages thrive and grow stronger in response to all the shared stress they experience.

Doctors, too are human. They are trying and more often succeeding than failing at setting ailments in a state easier healed by nature.

Doctors are human. They are not healers. They are helpers. Doing a duty. In very demanding and testing situations.

Appreciating our shared human nature, living a dream of a better life- for all... a sincere doctor signing off- hoping fellow humans could understand another human being...