Sometimes, a patient’s last wish can hold the key to their peace and fulfillment, and it falls upon us as doctors to do everything we can to make it happen!
60 years old, Antony walked into my clinic late in the evening. He spoke in a gibberish tone as if there was a pile of cloth stuck in his mouth. He tried telling me something, but I could not understand a word. He pointed towards the sink and rushed.
The sink turned red, covered in blood. In a blink, I thought it was one of those pranks but the smell of blood alarmed me. I rushed to his aid and understood the gravity of his situation. Antony rinsed his mouth.
I held his hand and made him sit on the chair. He calmed down and gave me his file – Cannonball metastases. It refers to large, well-circumscribed, round pulmonary metastases that appear, well, like cannonballs. It was a case of lung cancer in an advanced stage.
After looking at his file I said, ‘I am sorry sir, but I can’t treat it.’
He said with a sad smile, ‘I know you can’t cure this. I need a little help from you. I run an advertising agency and right now we are in the middle of bagging a big deal worth 50 crores. The day after tomorrow we are going to sign the deal. My wife will manage this order even if I die.’
‘Doctor, please understand I need to sign this deal. This will make my family financially stable and I can close my eyes in peace. But if the company discovers about my health, they won’t give me the order.’
‘Once the agreement is done, then it will all run smoothly. I have briefed everything to my wife and my staff will be there to assist her.’
I asked him, ‘Sir, what can I do for you?’
He replied, ‘I have come to you for only one reason doctor. This blood spitting on and off is very irritating. When I go to the meeting that day, I should not spit blood for at least 2 hours. Please suggest some Ayurvedic medicines, so that I can sign the deal.
There was a sense of helplessness in his voice. Death was lurking on the door and the situation is quite tense, I hesitantly prescribed Chandrakala Ras and Pravala Bhasma. That night I sat in my study thinking how money encumbers a soul standing at the door of death.
After 3 days, Antony came to my clinic. I was more anxious; talking to a man after knowing that it might probably be the last time you talk is always heart-wrenching. He looked content and gave me Bombay Halwa.
He said, ‘Doctor, I got the order. Now, I will die peacefully. All thanks to you.
He kept talking to me, about his life, his stressful days, his smoking habit, and those sleepless nights he got while building the agency. It was his unhealthy habits at a young age that were charging him into old age!
I was very curious and asked him, ‘How did you land in my clinic in the nth hour?’
He said, ‘Doctor, I was born and brought up in Kerela. In my childhood, I had amoebic dysentery and my parents took me to an ayurvedic doctor and it was very effective. So, at the cusp of death, all these memories are coming back to me and I thought of giving Ayurveda one last try.’
‘I did not have any blood-spitting as frequently as I was getting. I know sir, my lifestyle is the cause of my disease. I didn’t take care of my body and now it’s evicting my soul’.
We talked for a few more minutes and then he walked away, happy and content. 15 days later, his wife visited my clinic and informed me that Antony passed away a week ago. She said he remembered me in the last hour.
My eyes were moist. It was such a satisfying moment for a doctor to be able to fulfill a person’s last wish. No amount of money can bring this satisfaction. This memory always stays close to my heart, inspiring me to do the work I do and motivating me on gloomy days.
7 years had passed, and Antony’s wife visited my clinic for her skin problem. She told me that her agency is doing extremely well. She got emotional and said, ‘Antony must be happy seeing over us from heaven!’
( Note: To protect the privacy of the person, the name in the article has been changed to Antony )
3 comments
The doctor-patient relationship is critical for vulnerable patients as they experience a hightened relience on the doctor’s competence, skills and good will. And their relationship is remarkable and meaningful at times of birth, severe illness and death.
Good doctors understand responsibility better than previlige and act like savior. Antony was a fortunate patient who came to you; fulfilled his last wish. His family might have blessed you.
Thank you so much for an human interest story.
Thank you for taking the time to read the blog and share your thoughts. I completely agree that the doctor-patient relationship is crucial, particularly for vulnerable patients during times of birth, severe illness, and death. It’s important for doctors to understand the responsibility they have to their patients and to act with compassion and empathy. Antony’s case was a poignant reminder of the importance of fulfilling a patient’s last wish. As an Ayurvedic practitioner, I believe in treating the whole person, not just their physical ailments. It was an honor to be able to help fulfill Antony’s wish, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of his journey.
I hope that Antony’s story can serve as an inspiration for other doctors to prioritize their patients’ needs and wishes, particularly during their final days. The power of empathy and compassion should not be underestimated, and it’s essential for doctors to recognize their patients’ humanity beyond just their medical condition.Thank you again for your kind words and for emphasizing the significance of the doctor-patient relationship.
I completely agree with you Doctor. Yeah, the tale of Antony is an inspiration to every doctor.
We call him God!